Memphis 34, UAB 28
BIRMINGHAM - It was the most exciting game of the year for both teams, but somebody had to lose, and unfortunately it was UAB. UAB played very well against the odds, but Memphis QB and game MVP Lee Riddick ran in an 8-yard TD with just 5 seconds left to lift Memphis to victory.
Both these teams played well in the first half, with just one punt for both teams. Memphis took a 21-14 lead into the locker room. The third quarter was, from an offensive standpoint, boring, but then UAB began a drive that resulted in a touchdown at the beginning of the 4th, tying the game. Memphis would answer that on the next drive, taking a 28-21 lead.
Then, late in the 4th, UAB RB Moe Stewart caught a 34-yard pass from QB Rodney Naquin that went in for a TD with less than 2 minutes remaining, tying the game at 28. The 33,000 fans in attendance - the largest for a UAB home game this year - started chanting "UAB" in unison. It looked like the game was headed into overtime.
Then Riddick, together with unusual help from his running backs, put together a 2-minute drive that would make John Elway proud, going from the Memphis 35 to the UAB 8 in 1:15. Riddick would then run the ball in on a bootleg for the winning score while a shocked UAB defense watched.
"This was certainly one for the ages," said a disappointed B.B. Gunn after the game. "This definitely ups the rivalry. I'm proud of my players, though. We made our mistakes, but they played with a lot of intensity. It's hard to stop Riddick, though. If he's not on the Heisman list, he should be."
UAB players of the game included Stewart, Naquin and 2nd tailback Maurice Maxwell.
Code:
Box Score: Memphis at UAB
Birmingham, AL.
Week 13, 2005
Attendance: 33,300 (83,100).
Weather: 56 degrees, rain.
1Q: 12:11 MEMP - Lincoln Joseph 4 pass from Lee Riddick.
1Q: 12:11 MEMP - Jeff Henson extra point.
1Q: 04:49 UABB - Moe Stewart 2 run.
1Q: 04:49 UABB - Korey Elliott extra point.
2Q: 06:41 MEMP - Louie Booker 13 pass from Lee Riddick.
2Q: 06:41 MEMP - Jeff Henson extra point.
2Q: 04:12 MEMP - Robbie Hampton 7 pass from Lee Riddick.
2Q: 04:12 MEMP - Jeff Henson extra point.
2Q: 00:55 UABB - Maurice Maxwell 13 pass from Rodney Naquin.
2Q: 00:55 UABB - Korey Elliott extra point.
4Q: 14:51 UABB - Moe Stewart 14 run.
4Q: 14:51 UABB - Korey Elliott extra point.
4Q: 11:33 MEMP - Charlie Durham 2 pass from Lee Riddick.
4Q: 11:33 MEMP - Jeff Henson extra point.
4Q: 01:41 UABB - Moe Stewart 34 pass from Rodney Naquin.
4Q: 01:41 UABB - Korey Elliott extra point.
4Q: 00:05 MEMP - Lee Riddick 8 run.
4Q: 00:05 MEMP - Jeff Henson extra point failed.
Game MVP: MEMP 9 Lee Riddick
Memphis 7 14 0 13 - 34
UAB 7 7 0 14 - 28
Team Statistics MEMP UABB
First Downs 23 26
Total Rushes 24 44
Net Rushing Yards 77 174
Yards Per Carry 3.2 3.9
Rushing Yards 90 197
Tckld Loss/Yards 4-8 5-6
Sacked/Yards Lost 1-5 3-17
Pass Attempts 37 26
Completions 23 16
Passing Yards 344 235
Yards Per Attempt 9.2 9.0
Interceptions 0 0
Fumbles/Lost 1/0 1/1
Total Plays 61 70
Total Yards 421 409
Yards Per Play 6.9 5.8
3rd Down Plays 3/9 11/17
Penalties 5 6
Penalty Yards 46 58
Avg. Drive Start OWN 30 OWN 30
Time Of Possession 25:55 34:05
UAB Individual Statistics
Rushing Att Yards Avg Long TD Stufd Sackd
25 Stewart 32 175 5.4 20 2 6 0
8 Naquin 6 -14 -2.3 3 0 1 3
32 Maxwell 5 9 1.8 4 0 1 0
20 Schulz 1 4 4.0 4 0 0 0
Passing Att Comp Yards Yd/Att Long TD Int
8 Naquin 26 16 235 9.0 46 2 0
Receiving Catch Yards Avg YAC Long TD
86 Lee 4 39 9.7 5 13 0
20 Schulz 4 33 8.2 7 17 0
32 Maxwell 3 69 23.0 26 46 1
25 Stewart 2 38 19.0 44 34 1
84 Madison 1 16 16.0 0 16 0
89 Spencer 1 8 8.0 0 8 0
3 Hodges 1 32 32.0 0 32 0