SAINT GEORGE, Utah — In an electrifying matchup, Reggie Graff made a significant impact for Utah Tech as he led the team to its first victory of the season against Central Arkansas, ranked ninth in the FCS. The game concluded with a score of 34-21 on Saturday.

Graff’s performance was stellar, as he delivered two touchdown passes, rushed for another, and even caught a touchdown himself. Ilya Uvaydov started the scoring for the Trailblazers with a successful 30-yard field goal, followed by Graff’s six-yard pass to Eni Falayi that established a 10-0 advantage in the second quarter. This marked a crucial moment as Utah Tech aimed to break a troubling 0-9 streak.

Central Arkansas managed to respond when Darius Hale sprinted for a 53-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 10-7 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half. However, Utah Tech quickly regained control; Graff threw a two-yard touchdown to Bryce Parker and then connected with Shamar Garrett for another two-yard touchdown pass just before halftime, allowing his team to take a commanding 24-7 lead into the break.

Graff completed 26 out of 35 passes, accumulating 211 yards along with his two touchdowns. Additionally, he showcased his rushing ability with 24 carries for 117 yards, which included a 15-yard touchdown run in the early moments of the fourth quarter, bolstering Utah Tech’s lead to 34-21.

For Central Arkansas, Will McElvain finished with 17 completions on 36 attempts for 181 yards, unfortunately suffering from four interceptions throughout the game. Malachi Henry stood out among the receivers with six catches for 85 yards, while Darius Hale led the rushing attack with 149 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

This victory is a significant morale boost for Utah Tech, who will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches. The team now holds a record of 1-9 overall and 1-5 in their conference play.