BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Essentially, all the numbers were in Union College football’s favor except for the one that matters most: the final score.

Union suffered heartache on the road Saturday, dropping a 24-16 Mid-South Conference (MSC) Appalachian Division contest to host Cincinnati Christian University (Ohio).

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 0-8 overall and 0-3 in divisional play, while the Eagles improve to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the MSC Appalachian.

POSITIVE NUMBERS

The stat sheet favored Union for the most part as the Bulldogs outgained the hosts 351-232 in total offense. Union collected 21 first downs to Cincinnati Christian’s 14, and the Bulldogs held the ball for over 36 minutes.

Although only going 4-for-17 on third down, Union was 4-of-7 on fourth down. Cincinnati Christian failed to convert on all three of its fourth-down attempts.

TURNING POINT

The Bulldogs grabbed the advantage early in the second quarter, but three consecutive scores by the Eagles sent them ahead for good.

Union put together a 17-play, 80-yard drive, eating up nearly eight minutes off the clock to punch in the game’s first score. Kendrick Furness scored on an 11-yard run to put the Bulldogs up 6-0 with 10:18 to go in the half.

Cincinnati Christian found its answer just before the half as it mounted a 13-play, 83-yard drive to take a 7-6 lead at the break. Christopher Young scored on a 4-yard run with 28 seconds remaining. The Eagles took the opening possession of the second half and four the end zone again on a Young 5-yard touchdown run, making it 14-6 with 12:29 to go in the third.

Unable to generate anything on its next possession, Union was forced to punt from its own 18. The punt, however, only went seven yards, and De’Havion Allen returned it to the house to give Cincinnati Christian a 21-6 cushion with 10:01 left in the third.

Each team traded field goals before the end of the quarter to make it 24-9 Eagles heading into the fourth. Jalen Echols scored his first career touchdown on a 9-yard run, pulling the Bulldogs within 24-16 with 9:38 to play; yet, they could not pull even.

Cincinnati Christian threaten to add to its lead, but the Union defense stuffed the Eagle offense on fourth-and-goal at the 1 as Zion McCray stopped Dominic Valentino for no gain.

BULLDOG NOTES

In addition to scoring his first collegiate touchdown, Echols posted his first-ever 100-yard rushing game as he finished with 101 yards on 19 carries. He also caught three passes for 16 yards.

Mario Black recorded his first career interception and matched his season-high in tackles with five.

Earl Wells nearly had his third 100-yard receiving game of the year, finishing with 94 yards on five catches.

NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union returns home on Saturday to Point University (Ga.) in another MSC Appalachian Division game. This is also the Bulldogs’ homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.