MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a result that was equal parts memorable and agonizing, Faulkner watched a game-ending field goal sail through the uprights as Reinhardt pulled off a 22-21 victory.
Having trailed 19-7 in the fourth quarter, Faulkner brought
Duece Marshall off the bench at quarterback after he had sustained an injury earlier in the afternoon. Marshall engineered a furious comeback, scoring on third and goal from the three with a run that cut it to 19-14.
As Reinhardt regained the football, the home defense stood strong to force the three-and-out when
Dezmun Crenshaw sacked the quarterback. After a punt, Faulkner took over on the Reinhardt 41 with 52.9 seconds and no timeouts remaining. Marshall bought time on fourth down, allowing
Cam Bulluck to get open down the sideline where the signal-caller hit him in the back of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown throw. Faulkner then opted for the extra point rather than going for two, leaving the advantage at 21-19.
With no timeouts remaining Stephin Craig guided his team down the field, pressing the ball to the Faulkner 30 with 1.9 seconds left on the clock. Freshman kicker Alex Hanson stepped onto the John Mark Stallings Field turf and, subsequently, all over the Faulkner hopes as he booted the game-deciding field goal.
Reinhardt opened the scoring with 6:35 left in the first quarter when Faulkner missed a snap that landed in the end zone and Marshall had to kick it out of bounds for a safety. The home Eagles responded with a drive that culminated in Marshall finding Bulluck for an 11-yard strike to go up 7-2.
Craig later hit Jah Colbert for a 17-yard touchdown to put Reinhardt back on top. Jamarion Walker added a three-yard touchdown run for the 16-7 advantage. Hanson moved the lead to 19-7 with 6:01 to play in the game when he hit a 25-yard field goal.
Marshall ran for 103 yards in the game, becoming the first 100-yard rusher for Faulkner since 2021. Bulluck hauled in six passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
Jerrell Williamson paced the defense with eight total tackles including three for loss.
Faulkner (0-2) returns to action Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m. when it hosts Pikeville.
