"Dragon Breath" A UAB Dynasty (NCAA12)

[gorillapittpray]

Wed November 13, 2013
BLAZER WEEKLY

FORD OUT FOR THE SEASON AFTER BACK INJURY

(MATT FORD HAULS IN A TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS AGAINST GEORGIA)

BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The season for Sophomore receiver Matt Ford is now over after a rupturing a disk in his back after taking a huge hit over the middle against Tennessee.He broke free over the middle but as he cut back he got blind sided from behind.
Players then waived for extra help as he laid motionless on the field. After being examined on the sideline he was seen in tears before doctors helped him to the locker room.
Travis Rhatigan confirmed the injury after the Blazers won 49-42.
"He's such a special, special player," Rhatigan said. "It's deflating for him and for all of us. ... Your heart drops when you first hear it."
Last season as a freshmen Ford captivated UAB's National championship run with 40 yard per catch average and 12 touchdowns on 804 yards receiving on just 20 catches. This year he play more of a role on the team grabbing 36 receptions for 744 yards and 4 touchdowns. He entered the game sixth in the SEC in receiving yards and second on the team behind Senior Ian Wilson.

Ford posted on twitter following the game.

• Thank you all for ur prayers! I have God and he is good! So that means I am good! He has a plan for me and his timing is perfect! #blessed!

His UAB teammates were obviously upset with the loss of one of their top players.
"It's just a bad deal," quarterback Adam Dyks said. "You hate for something like that to happen to such a good guy."
Also on the injury report was running back Matthew Scott. Scott, who missed the final three games a season ago with a dislocated elbow left the game early in first quarter with an apparent groin injury, further test showed a slight tear in his groin. He's expected to miss the final two games vs Florida and Vanderbilt and possibly the SEC championship whom the Blazers clinched in last Saturday's win.
"Thats a huge blow." Head coach Travis Rhatigan said. "He was having a good year, in fact a great last few weeks and is a big reason to our recent victories."
Scott led the SEC in rushing yards and was 2nd in the NCAA with 1,353. His 7.5 yards per carry ranks him 2nd in the country. He's tied with Heisman candidate Marcus Clifford of BC and Virginia Tech's Mike Morgan with 15 rushing touchdowns on the season. He was one of the favorites to win the Heisman.
"Sure it sucks." Stated the Junior Tailback. "But Im blessed, I'll be back whether its the conference championship or the Bowl game. Our team goal is way more important right now than my individual accolades."


Recruiting News:
A week after receiving four commitments the Blazers got word Monday that five more recruits have gave their commitments to UAB.
The big commitments were from four star receiver Travis Barnes and Defensive End William Joseph.

(Madison Academy Wide Receiver Travis Barnes)
Travis Barnes currently leads the State in All Purpose yards with 1800 as he and Madison Academy await the state semi-finals this weekend, the dynamic receiver is one of the Huntsville area most dangerous athletes. Rated #30th receiver in the country Barnes garnered offers from Penn State, Alabama, Auburn, Southern Miss and Oregon. He is in Alabama's Super 50 as the #7 rated player as well as the #1 receiver in the state of Alabama.
"Barnes is the type of playmaker we look for at receiver." Head coach Travis Rhatigan said. "He's very quick (4.36) and has great vision on field. With us losing three quality receivers to graduation after this year we look for Barnes to step right in and compete."
Defensive End William Joseph out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton Georgia is rated the #2 defensive linemen in the state. He also was named to Georgia's Fab 50 as the #33 rated player overall in the state. His senior year is living up to his hype as he has 16 sacks and has helped lead Carrollton High to the playoffs. He chose UAB over Iowa, Georgia, Clemson, Virginia Tech and South Carolina.

(CARROLLTON HIGH SCHOOL DEFENSIVE END WILLIAM JOSEPH)

"William is one of those type of defensive linemen you need in the SEC." Head coach Travis Rhatigan said. "At 6'5 280 he has the size to bang heads with the type of linemen in SEC. We hope he comes in hungry and ready to go. This class is shaping out to be a special one."
The Blazers up their total commitments to 12 so far. The class is dominated with big time defensive linemen as well as Joseph becomes the fourth defensive linemen to commit. Here are the five commitments.

1. Travis Barnes **** (WR) Huntsville, AL 6'0 183 (4.36 forty)
2. Jason Gross *** (OL) Boynton Beach, FL 6'4 302 (Run Block B-)
3. Martin Gold *** (OL) Midfield, AL 6'2 284 (Impact Blocking C+)
4. William Joseph *** (DL) Carrollton, GA 6'5 280 (Power Moves B-)
5. Matt Gatewood *** (CB) Marathon, FL 6'1 181 (Man Cover B-)

NOTABLE NEWS:

• Blazers move to No.2 in the BCS standings
• MLB Timi McCollum a finalist for three awards
• Running back Marcus Rutledge excited for first start
• Blazers practice under the lights Thursday night

SEC EAST Conference Standings - Updated: Sept 30, 2013
TEAM	REC
#2 UAB (*)	10-0
GEORGIA	7-3
FLORIDA	6-4
TENNESSEE	5-5
SOUTH CAROLINA	4-6
VANDERBILT	2-8
KENTUCKY	1-9

Coach Rhatigan addresses media before Florida game:
Opening comments:
"Recapping last week's game with Tennessee, I was really excited overall the way our team performed in the second half. I thought offensively we played really well all day. When you have 500 or something yards as an offense and all. The part that allowed Tennessee to hang around was that we lost focus and took them for granted thats a good football team. Our defense stepped up at the right time and we're sitting here 10-0.
We're excited to be #2 in the country but we know we still have a lot of work to do. We have to see if we can play without two key players in Ford and Scott so we will be challenged.
"We have Florida this week in the swamp, we all remember going there two years ago to start off our season, boy what a classic that was. Some guys are still on this team that was apart of that like Ian Wilson and Roderick Brooks such. We're lucky that two of their key playmakers are out on offense so we'll try and take advantage of that. Florida is a real real really fast team but they make a lot of mistakes so as long as we confuse them and give them different looks we feel we have the upper hand.

PLAYING SPOILER:

#2 UAB (10-0) at Florida (6-4)

Location: Ben Hill Griffin
Television: CBS Sports


With UAB clinching the SEC east division the Gators dont get to spoil that for the Blazers. However, they get to not only end UAB's win streak but possibly ruin their chances a t national championship. Junior Quarterback Jon Woods has all the tools to pull off the upset he has playmakers all across the board and three receivers with blazing speed (95+) but the problem is he needs to get them the ball. He's thrown 11 interceptions and only 12 touchdowns He at the bottom of the conference in passer rating and has been sacked 26 times. Florida will have an uphill battle if both backs C. Gray and C. Jackson dont play both are questionable and both are #1 and #2 on the team with 8 and 7 touchdowns respectively. Floridas defense has kept them in a lot of games. and senior backer JJ Washington whose second in the conference in tackles will help try to stop this UAB offense.

For UAB ball control is key. With Matthew Scott out for potentially the the rest of the season the Blazers will need to get Marcus Rutledge quality touches and experience. Quarter Adam Dyks is have a good year throwing 29 touchdowns, he'll be without speed demon Matt Ford but he still has the teams Leading Receiver Ian Wilson along Ralph Rawls expect the two seniors to step it up big. Defensively UAB carries the #2 best defese in the SEC and will look to shut down this mediocre Florida attack, not one of the fastest defenses tho but they play smart. If they can keep Florida in front of them this should be a cake walk for the Blazers.

[gorillapittpray]

THE CAMPUS GAZETTE
UAB UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER

Sat November 16th, 2013

BLAZERS CONQUER GATORS
BLAZERS FORCE TURNOVERS IN
ROUTE OF GATORS, 47-21

( IAN WILSON HAULS IN HIS 14TH TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION OF THE SEASON SATURDAY AGAINST FLORIDA)

____________________
ASSOCIATED PRESS____

GAINESVILLE, FL - UAB coach Travis Rhatigan trusts his second-ranked Blazers can handle the mounting pressure as they approach their final two games. After beating the athletic Florida Gators 47-21 on Saturday, No. 2 UAB is likely two more victories away from playing for the national title.
"There is pressure. Each week I know you can feel it" said Rhatigan, whose team is 11-0 for the second time in school history. "But it's our responsibility to manage it."
"But I believe in the leadership of this team, that they feel the importance of getting ready for the next game."
Freshmen quarterback Adam Dyks threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns and Marcus Rutledge in his first start ran for four more scores to lead UAB.
The Blazers (11-0, 8-0 SEC), second in the BCS standings this week, next play Vanderbilt on senior day before closing their season in the SEC Championship Game.

Dyks, who completed 16 of 25 passes, threw touchdown passes of 41 and 27 yards. Ian Wilson and Ralph Rawls each had a score and made big catches through out the day.
--
(#85 RAWLS AND #9 ROSS BOTH GRABBED FIVE RECEPTIONS A PIECE)

Dyks said the team isn't listening to the chatter about their season.
"Everyone has their opinion about where we are as a team," he said. "But really and truly the guys in the locker room, they don't buy into it. We're far enough along here, we've got something special going on, and the guys are just focused on getting better next week."
It was the Gators most lopsided loss in recent history at the swamp. J. Woods completed 11 of 24 passes for 232 yards but turned the ball over four times fumbling twice and throwing two interceptions for the Gators (6-5, 4-5)

The Blazers dominated from the start, going up 21-0 in the first quarter. They ran at will and Dyks wasn't pressured much. He was sacked just once.
"I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the country," Rhatigan said. "I know there are some good ones out there, but even though he"s a freshmen, I wouldn't put him on the trading block."
Rutledge rushing scores went for 1, 22, 19 and 3 yards, and he finished with 117 yards on 22 carries.
--
( RUTLEDGE HAD A HUGE DAY RUNNING IN FOUR SCORES IN FIRST EVER START)

The Blazers led the SEC in takeaways coming into the game (17) and got four more against the Gators.
They scored off all four turnovers, which doesn't even include a 102 yard interception return on a two point play that the Gators tried in the fourth quarter. Quarterback J. Hood fumbled the ball twice after getting smacked by Middle Linebacker Timi McCollum. McCollum also had a sack two sacks and four tackles. Freshmen strong safety Dominic Rhodes led the Blazers with seven tackles while free safety Carl Holycross and corner Adam Love both intercepted J. Hood. The Blazers showed relentless pressure all day sacking the signal caller five times.
--
( PLAYS LIKE THIS HELPED THE BLAZERS RACE OUT TO A HUGE LEAD)

"The Blazers do a great job forcing pressure" Head coach Will Mushcamp said. "Pressure creates mistakes and mistakes turn into turnovers, thats a very well coached team we just lost to."
The Gators showed flashes in the second half as Hood connected on two long passes to A. Cameron. Cameron led the Gators with four receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
But thats all the Blazers would give up as they used Rutledge and his big 6'1 212 pound frame to run the clock and wear out the Gators.
"It was very pleasing to see us dominate upfront like that." Rhatigan stated. "Rutledge stepped in for Scott and handled business."

The Blazers defense continues to impress on third down holding the Gators to just 3 of 8. The Blazers also dominated the time of Possession by almost 9 minutes.

BOX SCORE

UAB Blazers at Florida Gators
Nov 16, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#2 UAB Blazers (11-0)	21	10	7	9	47
Florida Gators (6-5)	0	7	8	6	21

Team Stats Comparison
	UAB	FLA
Total Offense	438	353
Rushing Yards	117	121
Passing Yards	321	232
First Downs	14	14
Punt Return Yards	24	13
Kick Return Yards	37	237
Total Yards	499	604
Turnovers	1	4
3rd Down Converstion	3-7	2-8
4th Down Conversion	0-0	0-0
2-Point Conversion	0-0	1-2
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	4-3-1	1-1-0
Penalties	3-40	4-40
Posession Time	18:39	9:21

[gorillapittpray]

Sat November 16th, 2013

UP-ENDED!!
#8 SOONERS OUT PACE #4 COWBOYS
36-20

TOP 25 SCORES:
#1 Iowa over #20 Wisconsin 41-31
#2 UAB over Florida 47-21
#4 Boston College over Clemson 37-7
#5 Oklahoma State falls #8 Oklahoma 36-20
#6 Illinois over Indiana 38-35
#7 LSU falls Ole Miss 38-26
#9 Alabama over Texas A&M 31-27
#10 Maryland over Florida State 35-28
#11 Oregon over Washing State 39-12
#12 Utah over Oregon State 26-10
#14 Michigan falls #17 Notre Dame 38-28
#15 Georgia Tech falls #21 Virginia Tech 21-13
#16 Miami falls North Carolina 44-17
#18 Mississippi State over Arkansas 42-25
#19 Georgia over Kentucky 52-0
#23 Auburn over South Carolina 29-24
#24 Washington falls UCLA 25-21
#25 Nevada falls Fresno State 24-16

HEADLINES:

• Fresno clinches berth in first ever MWC Championship game with win over Nevada
• Hokies and Carroll escape Yellow Jackets; one win from clinching ACC Coastal
• Sooners clinch Big 12 South with route of #5 Cowboys
• Hawkeyes shut up the critics, beat Wisconsin 41-31
• Marshall improves to 8-1 with thrilling 52 yard GW field goal
• Ducks clinch Pac-12 North Division after Washington loss to UCLA

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS:

• I. Rushing (OU) K 5-5 long of 53
• J. Ashley (Iowa) RB 297 All Purpose 2 total touchdowns (97 KR TD)
• R. Marks (ND) DE 16 tackles 3.5 sacks
• D. Ryan (Marsh) 20 car 129 yards 3 touchdowns

[gorillapittpray]

Mon November 18th, 2013

HEADLINES:

• One loss Marshall, Fresno into the national spotlight
• #21 Wisconsin, #4 Illinios battle for Leaders crown in showdown!!
• #1 Hawkeyes look to stay perfect against tough Nebraska squad
• Hokies look to clinch coastal against Virgina
• Iowa's do it all running back Jose Ashley enjoying National exposure
• #12 TCU knows Iowa State will be ready; winner clinches Big 12 North
• Top 25 battle: #16 Georgia and #17 Georgia Tech prepare for war
• Fresno hopes for 11 win season after trip to BYU
• Trojans ready for Bruins in Pac 12 rivalry

BCS TALK:
Oklahoma squandered a chance as most in the nation felt they would jump Boise if they beat Oklahoma on the road. Meanwhile Iowa has proved for two consecutive weeks that they are for real, this time beating Wisconsin thanks to new Heisman candidate Jose Ashley and his all purpose ability. UAB is in at a solid two and will be there until at least the SEC championship when they face Alabama. Here are this week's BCS top 15.

1. Iowa 11-0 ________Next Game @ Nebraska
2. UAB 11-0 _________Next Game vs Vanderbilt
3. Boise St 10-1 _____Next @ Wyoming
4. Oklahoma 9-2 _____Next at Texas Tech
5. Boston College 11-1 __ BYE
6. Illinois 10-1 _______Next Game vs #21 Wisconsin
7. Alabama 10-1 _____Next Game vs #20 Auburn
8. Oklahoma St 9-2 ___Next Game at Baylor
9. Maryland 10-1 _____ Next Game vs NCSU
10. Oregon 8-3 ________Next Game vs Oregon St
11. Utah 9-2 __________Next Game vs Arizona St
12. TCU 10-1 _________ Next Game at Iowa State
13. Notre Dame 10-2 ___ BYE
14. Virginia Tech 8-3 ____Next Game at Virginia
15. Mississippi St 8-3 ____Next Game vs Ole Miss

TOP GAMES FOR WEEK 14


#12 TCU (10-1) at Iowa State (8-3)
While TCU is still wondering why they aren't in the top five after being the defending champs, Iowa State is figuring out how to beat them and earn their first ever trip to the big 12 championship game. Iowa State is 6th in country scoring 41 points per game. Quarterback Lionel Washington leads the big 12 in passer rating and is third with 33 touchdown passes and only 5 interceptions. Joel Horton is second in rushing yards only to TCU's Heisman candidate Brandon Wilson. With the North title on the line expect this to be a out right war.


#16 Georgia (8-3) at #17 Georgia Tech (9-2)
Nothing on the line as far as conference goes but bragging rights and bowl positioning come into mind when these two teams meet up. Georgia Tech was on a BCS bowl run until a slip up against Virgina Tech a week ago while Georgia is coming off an impressive 52-0 win against Kentucky. Lionel Hood and Georgia's offense looks to continue their onslaught as they make a bif for the Outback Bowl. Tech will have all eyes on VTech and Virgina as they still have a chance to make it to the ACC Championship but first they need to be Georgia and gain momentum if they are to go.


#1 Iowa (11-0) at Nebraska (5-6)
Every game from here on out is a big game for the #1 Hawkeyes. They ride into this game as the consensus #1 after two huge wins over Illinois and Wisconsin. They face a Nebraska team who has struggled losing their last five games after a 5-1 start. Its senior day for the Huskers and they have a chance to become bowl eligible as well as knock off the #1 team in the country.







#21 Wisconsin (8-2) at #6 Illinois (10-1)
In the final game for these two teams this season, it happens to be the biggest game as well. Both teams need a win to get to the Big Ten Championship game and grab a rematch with #1 Iowa. Wisconsin who started the season going 7-1 until a upset loss to Purdue looked to be the Big Ten favorite led by RB Peter Garrett and a strong defense but then reality soon clicked in during a tough loss to Iowa a week ago. For Illinois who sits in the top 5 for the second time this season was cruising along they to met a tough Iowa team. Fenner, Illinois quarterback and Big Ten leader in yards and touchdown passes will take it all in Saturday. "Look, This is for the Division Title and a chance to go to the Big Ten Championship. Its Senior day for us its gonna be emotional and we're gonna be ready to play"

[gorillapittpray]

Wed November 20th, 2013
BLAZER WEEKLY

DREAM STILL ALIVE
HEAD COACH TRAVIS RHATIGAN EMBRACES
STRONG WILLED FRESHMEN QUARTERBACK AND THE TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

(RHATIGAN CALMS DOWN FRESHMEN ADAM DYKS AFTER THROWING A INTERCEPTION IN A GAME EARLIER THIS YEAR)

BIRMINGHAM, AL- Just last season quarterback Adam Dyks was a freshmen in High School. The Coral Springs Florida native is enjoying one of the best seasons a freshmen quarterback has had at UAB under the guidance of head coach Travis Rhatigan. Dkys is 8th in the entire NCAA in passing yards with 3,013 yards. He's thrown 31 touchdown passes and leads the SEC in quarterback rating and he has also helped lead the UAB Blazers to a 11-0 record and #2 ranking in the BCS.
"All of that is good to hear but we still have unfinished business."
The Freshmen states. The Blazers reached the national titel game a year but came up empty handed.
"I knew we had the type of team to be successfull, I just didnt think it would happen this soon." Head coach Travis Rhatigan said. Rhatigan has had the luxury of playing freshmen and sophomores this season. On defense he only has two seniors starting.
"These Kids have taken the challenge head on in a very, very tough SEC conference and have done well for themselves."
Rhatigan also understands the support he and his team needs to give to a young quarterback thrown in the fire. Ian Wilson and Ralph Rawls both senior receivers have taken Dyks under their wings and along with head coach Travis Rhatigan they spend every Tuesday and Thursday night watching film and catches passes.
"Its Key to build up a relationship with your quarterback, in tough times he knows you have his back." said Wilson. Wilson is enjoying one of his best seasons. The Senior leads the team with 1,151 yards and 14 touchdowns and averages 104 yards receiving a game.
Dyks has made mistakes this year. He's thrown 16 interceptions. A number that doesn't look good.
"I've had my fair share of mistakes, but coach and my teammates rally around me and help me correct those mistakes."
You can see Adam Dyks and the rest of the Blazers this Saturday in their home finale against the Vanderbilt Commodores. It's also Senior day.

UAB coach Travis Rhatigan visited with the media on Wed at Legion Field to preview this week's game vs Vanderbilt:

Looking back at last week's game, I was impressed how we played as a team. We jumped out on Florida and never looked back. Rutledge did a great job filling in for Matthew Scott and we we're able to find out that he's a guy w can rely on down this stretch. Dyks continues to get better and the receivers are at the top of their game. Its always a positive to win on the road in this conference.
The Players are excited about being #2 right now but they still know we have to not look passed Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is a team that has got some unlucky breaks but are talented. On film they do seem a bit careless with the ball so we will try our best to take advantage of that. Offensively we have nothing to prove, were gonna do what we need to do to get the lead and get out of the game healthy.

Matchup Preview | November 23, 2013
	@
Vanderbilt Commodores (2-9, Away)		#2 UAB Blazers (11-0, Home)
Game Notes Its the season finally for UAB who looks to close the game out and go 12-0. A win will give the Blazers their third straight undefeated record at home. The Blazers are currently on a 17 game home winning streak. Vandy comes in pretty beat up as the 2-9 record shows. Quarterback P. Dunlap is out for the season with a broken leg and two of their offensive linemen missed the trip. The only bright spot for Vandy is running back J. Cox but a depleted offensive line could limit his touches. This may turn into a laugher.

[gorillapittpray]

THE CAMPUS GAZETTE
UAB UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER

Sat November 23rd, 2013

RECORD SETTING DAY FOR RUTLEDGE HELPS NO. 2 UAB ESCAPE VANDY, 52-35

(#32 MARCUS RUTLEDGE BREAKS THIS RUN FOR A 68 YARD TOUCHDOWN)

_________________
ASSOCIATED PRESS__

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Whether the distraction was out-of-town scores, media critics, or even costly injuries, UAB refused to lose focus.
That perspective has kept the Blazers in position to play for the SEC title.

Marcus Rutledge set the single-game record for yards with 289 and 2nd-ranked UAB out-scored a persistent Vanderbilt team 56-35 on Saturday to keep UAB (11-0, 9-0) undefeated at home for the season.

" We're in the driver's seat now. We control our own fate," Quarterback Adam Dyks said.
Dyks continues to play at a high level throwing four touchdown passes. He was on target with every throw and every decision, connecting on his first eight passes, his favorite target of course was Ian Wilson. Wilson finished his monstrous day with four catches for 202 yards and three touchdown, and Dyks went 11 for 19 with 287 yards.
"I thought I wasn't going to have any incompletions, but nobody's perfect ," Dyks said, smiling.

(IAN WILSON HAULS IN THIS PASS OPN HIS WAY TO ONE OF THREE TOUCHDOWNS SATURDAY)

The Blazers outgained Vandy in total yards 618-515 and had 15 first downs to Vandy's 14. Both teams put on a show for the season finale.
"It kind of reminds me of when we went to Rice for the finale last season and almost lost." Head coach Travis Rhatigan said. " Although we won, we got a good reality check today and hopefully the guys understand whats really at stake when we face Alabama in two weeks.

They are No. 2 right now in the BCS and will watch to see if No. 1 Iowa slips up at Nebraska later today, but by all accounts they hold firm at the two spot and a win in two weeks in the SEC championship will give them the nod to go to the BCS title game in Pasedena, California.

Coach Travis Rhatigan didn't want his players' minds to stray, so he didnt mention their ranking or anything about the SEC championship all week he even went as far as to taking the TV's out the locker room so players could focus.
"We have to concentrate on being in the moment. That's the way we will do it," Rhatigan said.

UAB opened up trying to establish the run as they gave Marcus Rutledge five straight carries, on the fifth carry he rumbled 35 yards for the score putting UAB 7-0. Vanderbilt and back up quarterback T. Knox answer fast and needed only three plays to tie the game. Looking in control of the situation the Blazers defense forced a third and 16 and a possible three and out looming but corner Adam Love got caught peaking in the backfield and receiver J. Benson went long for the 74 yard touchdown.
UAB wasn't done giving the senior Marcus Rutledge the ball. The very next drive on the first play Rutledge burst through the hole taking off for a 68 yard touchdown.
" I was pumped up for this game." The Senior said. " I finally got my opportunity and im making the most of it."
Rutledge who has sat behind the injured Matthew Scott all season transferred to UAB with just a year of eligibility.
" He's a kid that has patiently waited his turn and its paying off." said Rhatigan.
--
(RUTLEDGE NOW HAS BACK TO BACK 100 YARD GAMES SINCE TAKING OVER FOR THE INJURED SCOTT WHO MAY BE DOUBTFUL FOR THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP)

After a three and out Rutledge would take a toss on the next possession and looked to be taken down for a loss but kept his balance and broke off 69 yard touchdown run putting UAB up 21-7 in the first quarter.
Vanderbilt did not back down however as both teams combined for 49 first quarter points. UAB would leave the quarter up 28-21.

Back up T. Knox brought his A game thats for sure, Vandy players fed off his emotion as did he when he tied the game at 28 with his 19 yard touchdown run cutting up a option and out running free safety Carl Holycross to the end zone. Knox finished the game 16 for 23 with 302 yards passing and two scoring tosses but he turned the ball over twice during critical drives. At the Half UAB would cling on to a 42-35 lead.

The Blazers came out the half looking like the #2 team in the nation scoring 14 points in the third and playing tough defense stopping Vanderbilt from reaching the end zone the rest of the game.
The turning point came after Ian Wilson scored on a 81 yard pass play to put the Blazers up 49-35. Vanderbilt would drive allo the way to UAB's two yard line, a well called and executed corner blitz saw All American Adam Love pummel Knox jarring the ball loose and Timi McCollum would recover the ball giving UAB the ball and ending any momentum Vanderbilt had to keep the game close.
--
( THE BLAZERS FINALLY MADE THE DEFENSIVE PLAYS WE'RE ACCUSTOMED TO SEEING IN THE SECOND HALF)

Defensively for the Blazers strong safety Dominic Rhodes led the team with 10 tackles. Linebacker Timi McCollum brought in 5 tackles but also had a fumble recovery and interception.
Next up for the Blazers is a trip to Georgia and the SEC Championship against Alabama.

BOX Score

Vanderbilt Commodores at UAB Blazers
Nov 23, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Vanderbilt Commodores (2-10)	21	14	0	0	35
#2 UAB Blazers (12-0)	28	14	14	0	56

Team Stats Comparison
	VAN	UAB
Total Offense	515	618
Rushing Yards	213	331
Passing Yards	302	287
First Downs	14	15
Punt Return Yards	0	0
Kick Return Yards	193	126
Total Yards	708	744
Turnovers	2	0
3rd Down Converstion	4-7	4-5
4th Down Conversion	0-1	0-0
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	3-2-0	3-2-0
Penalties	1-10	1-5
Posession Time	11:37	16:23

[moose141]

Love this dynasty, have been following it for a while. Impressive job in making UAB so successful, looks like your going to be headed back to the BCS championship game this year! Hopefully you can bring it home this time with TCU out of the way.

[gorillapittpray]

Quote: Originally Posted by moose141

Love this dynasty, have been following it for a while. Impressive job in making UAB so successful, looks like your going to be headed back to the BCS championship game this year! Hopefully you can bring it home this time with TCU out of the way.

Thanks for following, yea I still have to beat Alabama who was #1 for majority of the season until a few weeks ago.