FLORENCE, Ala. – Senior running back Kayvon Britten’s 273 rushing yards with four touchdowns set the single game program rushing record to lift Tarleton State Football a 28-14 road win at North Alabama in its United Athletic Conference opener Saturday night at Braly Stadium.
Britten, who averaged 13 yards per carry on Saturday, broke a nearly 20-year-old record set by Derrick Ross on Sept. 10, 2005 against Western New Mexico. He was just four yards shy of his career-high set during his time at Arkansas Pine-Bluff on Oct. 16, 2022.
Tarleton State’s defense, who was tied for third in the country for most takeaways entering Saturday, came up with two more in the win against North Alabama. Senior defensive back Kasyus Kurns collected his fourth takeaway of the season with a fumble recovery in the third quarter while junior defensive back Blake Smith obtained his first interception of the season in the fourth quarter.
Looking to strike first on the opening drive, North Alabama began the first quarter by setting up its offense on Tarleton State’s five-yard line. After Tarleton State forced the Lions into a combined two rushing yards on their next two plays, the Texans prevented North Alabama from getting in the end zone on third down. North Alabama scored the only points of the first quarter with a 20-yard field goal and carried the 3-0 lead through the end of the first quarter.
After Tarleton State was forced to punt for the second time in the second quarter, the Texans’ defense came in the clutch. The Texans forced the Lions into another punting situation after junior defensive back Dabari Hawkins broke up North Alabama’s pass on third down. The Lions looked to make life difficult for the Tarleton State offense, with their 41-yard punt pinning the Texans back to their own 4-yard line.
The Texans, however, bulldozed their way through the length of the field.
With the powerful Tarleton State offensive line creating holes for the run game, Britten took advantage and gave the Texans the lead with a 96-yard touchdown. Britten’s 96-yard touchdown was the longest running play by a Tarleton State player in the Division I Era.
North Alabama looked to respond on its final offensive drive of the first half, setting up first and goal after a 10-yard reception. The Lions came knocking on the door with an eight-yard run, but the Texans prevented the touchdown by forcing an incomplete pass on third down following a tackle for loss by Smith. A 22-yard field goal allowed the Lions to cut the deficit 7-6 going into halftime.
The Texans were forced to punt on their opening drive of the second half, but got the ball right back thanks to their special teams. North Alabama muffed the punt return, allowing Kurns to recover the fumble and put Tarleton State’s offense on the Lions’ 19-yard line. The Chicago native was tied for first in the nation in fumble recoveries heading into Saturday.
Tarleton State quickly took advantage, with Britten gaining all 19 yards off five rushing attempts en route to his second touchdown of the game. North Alabama responded by marching down the field to set themselves up in the red zone following a 31-yard pass and catch. The Lions got in the end zone thanks to a 10-yard run and tied the game 14-14 by converting the two-point conversion.
The tie would be broken just two plays later, with Britten going 65 yards untouched for his third touchdown of the game to give the Texans a 21-14 lead. Junior defensive lineman Brandon Tolvert sacked the North Alabama quarterback on third down of the Lions’ final offensive drive of the quarter, allowing Tarleton State to keep its lead.
North Alabama looked to tie the game on its first drive of the fourth quarter, marching the ball to the red zone. While the Lions completed three consecutive passes, the Texans’ defense forced North Alabama into a turnover on downs. Tarleton State’s defense once again prevailed in the Lions’ second offensive drive of the fourth quarter, forcing the Lions to go three and out.
Tarleton State continued to feed Britten, who gained 33 yards before junior quarterback Victor Gabalis connected with senior wide receiver Darius Cooper for a 34-yard gain. Gabalis and Cooper successfully set up Britten’s fourth touchdown that extended Tarleton State’s lead 28-14.
Getting the ball down to Tarleton State’s 19-yard line in the closing minutes, North Alabama looked for a shot in the end zone. The Texans spoiled North Alabama’s hopes of a comeback, with Smith coming down with the interception to put the ball back in Tarleton State’s hands.
With the win, Tarleton State has started 3-1 for the third consecutive season. The win at North Alabama marks the third consecutive year the Texans have opened conference play victorious.
Tarleton State returns to Memorial Stadium next week after being on the road for a month. The Texans will face Southeastern Louisiana in their final non-conference game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. for Family Weekend. Fans can get $15 tickets by using the code FAMILY. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Sunday to redeem this offer.
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