MONTGOMERY, Ala. – It was a day for the seniors, and Faulkner head coach Charlie Boren made sure each of the 21 who played in their final game at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium would remember it. All played a part in the Eagles' regular-season ending 51-30 victory over Union (Ky.) here Saturday afternoon in a Mid-South Conference cross-divisional battle.

Quarterback David Cochran, in his last opportunity to shine for Faulkner, did just that. Boren started the fifth-year senior, and the Buena Vista, Ga., native made the most of the opportunity, completing 10-of-11 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wideout A.J. Stevenson was his primary beneficiary, catching two of the scoring tosses. Stevenson was exceptional in his finale, grabbing eight receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns. A pair of senior wide receiver teammates also had big days, with Rob Lockhart catching 11 passes from three different quarterbacks for 146 yards and Shante Rogers collecting 70 receiving yards and scoring twice.

Cochran, normal starter Clayton Nicholas and Lane Moss combined for 525 yards through the air, with Nicholas throwing two touchdown passes and Moss one.

Trent Miles' 15-yard run on Faulkner's first possession, followed by Rogers' two scoring catches – one coming from Cochran and the other from Nicholas – gave the Eagles a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter. It was 24-7 at the half, with senior placekicker Hunter Kennamer's 28-yard field goal closing the scoring on the final play. Nicholas found Reagan Amos from seven yards out early in the third quarter, followed by a Cochran-to-Stevenson connection on Faulkner's next possession to push the lead to 38-7.

Boren then did the best he could to make sure the rest of his seniors enjoyed the afternoon, with Union (1-9) never getting closer than the final margin of 21. Faulkner's 7-3 record secured its fourth-straight winning season, and when the final regular-season Top 25 poll comes out Monday it should have Faulkner's name in it for the third consecutive year. Barring an unforeseen massive jump in the final poll, the Eagles will miss the NAIA post-season for the first time in three years.

Seniors Jay Coleman and Josh Gross each had receptions for the Eagles, who also got great contributions from their senior defenders. Linebacker Ray Smith had 16 total tackles, while fellow senior Tony Threatt added 12. Cornerback Dennis Thames had 11 stops. Faulkner intercepted two Union passes, both by seniors – Caleb Taylor and Dushonta Broughton. All seniors played, with offensive lineman Douglas Griffin seeing the first game action of his career on the final day he donned his Eagle jersey.

"We wanted the day to be all about the guys who meant so much in building the foundation of this program the past four years," Boren said. "We had won 10 games total in the five previous seasons, and this group played a huge role in us winning 31 the past four years. I'm happy for them. Even though we didn't play great at times, it was good to end the season with a win. We're disappointed about probably not making the playoffs, but we're already working hard on changing that next season."

Union was able to stay in sight of Faulkner because of the play of quarterback Chandler Whittlesey, who was 28-of-39 for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 100 yards and two more scores.