"Dragon Breath" A UAB Dynasty (NCAA12)

[gorillapittpray]

SECOND HALF BLAZE!
BLAZER EXPLODE FOR 35 SECOND HALF POINTS
IN BLOWOUT WIN OVER UCF

~AP~ BIRMINGHAM, AL---- In front of a National audience Thursday night UAB showed the country how good they can be. The defense played stellar and quarterback Andre Sharpe threw three second half touchdowns passes to quiet critics as the Blazers rolled past the Knights 49-14.

~RECAP~

With all the negative publicity surrounding UAB quarterback Andre Sharpe the game added another twist being on the national stage in the rain. The Blazers won the toss and elected to receive. The Blazers came out passing trying to get Sharpe hot early but nearly backfired when he got blindsided on the first play of the game knocking him out for the rest of the series. Smith would come in and the Blazers would eventually punt. After two quick stops UCF quarterback Jones hit a streaking Perkins for a 62 yard score giving UCF the early 7-0 lead. The ensuing drive Sharpe would re-enter the game and wasted no time answering with a 73 yard touchdown pass to I. Wilson. His luck would change however, at the end of the first quarter he would throw a pick six to Nelson who returned it 75 yards putting UCF up 14-7 after one.

(PERKINS HAULS IN THIS CATCH FOR A 62 YARD TOUCHDOWN)


(WILSON ANSWERS WITH A 73 YARD TOUCHDOWN CATCH)


(UAB FANS ARE ALL TO FAMILIAR WITH THIS AS NELSON GRABS THE PICK SIX)

The second quarter would start with another Sharpe interception to the tune of boos from the 35,000 in attendance. It was obvious the ball slipped from the rain, halting Coach Rhatigans thoughts of benching him. The UAB defense would do their part in giving Sharpe another chance. They had the tough task of stopping Strong the leagues best running back. Slaughter and company came to play pressuring Jones and big hitting Strong all quarter. Sharpe would redeem himself after throwing two straight interceptions connecting with Ross for a 82 yard score tying the game at 14 heading into halftime.

(ROSS OUT RUNS UCF DEFENDERS FOR THE 82 YARD SCORE)

The third quarter was all UAB. UCF started off with the ball. The game was still tied at 14 with the defenses living up to the #1 and #2 defenses respectfully. But UAB made the biggest play of the game when MLB Tom Slaughter popped Jones hard after a keeper knocking him out for the game. Jones bruised his sternum on the play. UAB would get the ball back and running back D. Pryor to a hand off found a whole and jetted for the 38 yard touchdown run giving UAB a 21-14 lead. With backup quarterback T. Anderson in UAB sent the house forcing Anderson to throw a interception to defensive back Keith Evans who returned it 31 yards giving UAB a two score advantage.
--
(CORNER KEITH EVANS DIVES IN THE END ZONE AFTER GRABBING THE INTERCEPTION) (PRYOR HITS THE WHOLE AND SPRINTS DOWN THE FIELD FOR A 38 YARD TOUCHDOWN)

UAB's defense was all over the field Thursday night. More noticeably linebacker T. Slaughter who grabbed one of UAB's five sacks and 8 tackles. On a third and short he met Strong in the backfield for the big hit and one of the nine stops they had on third down. Sharpe would get to work after the stop and a one play drive resulting in a 77 yard touchdown pass put UAB up 35-14 and gave him his third touchdown pass of the night. The next drive defensive tackle DJ Washington would grab a sack and force a Strong fumble giving it back to a hot Sharpe and the UAB offense. Sharpe would end the quarter throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the night and second to J. Moses this quarter. UAB would go up 42-14 and tack on one final Sharpe touchdown pass, this one to Rawls for 78 yards in the fourth quarter. UAB grabbed the win 49-14

(SLAUGHTER KNOCKED UCF QUARTERBACK M. JONES OUT THE GAME SPURRING THE
BLAZER RUN)

TOP PLAYERS
UAB
A. SHARPE 12-19 406 YARDS 5 TOUCHDOWNS 2 INTERCEPTIONS
D. PRYOR 12 CAR 85 YARDS 1 TOUCHDOWN
J. MOSES 4 REC 166 YARDS 2 TOUCHDOWNS

UCF
G. STRONG 18 CAR 81 YARDS
D. PERKINS 2 REC 81 YARDS 1 TOUCHDOWN
R. JOHNSON 9 TACKLES

Oct 20, 2011 - UCF at UAB
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
UCF (4-3)	14	0	0	0	14
UAB (6-1)	7	7	28	7	49

Team Stats Comparison
UCF		UAB
214	Total Offense	561
117	Rushing Yards	100
97	Passing Yards	461
7	First Downs	9
	Punt Return Yards
	Kick Return Yards
416	Total Yards	675
2	Turnovers	3
4-13	3rd Down Converstion	3-6
0-1	4th Down Conversion	0-0
	2-Point Conversion
1-0-0	Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-0
0	Penalties	0
12:32	Posession Time	11:28

[gorillapittpray]

YOUR HOME FOR NCAA NEWS!

LUCK OF THE IRISH
IRISH GET LAST DRIVE TURNOVER
TO BEAT USC 33-28

HOLDING THEIR GROUND:
VTECH KEEPS POWER OF BLACKSBURG ALIVE;
HOLD BC QB BLANCHARD TO JUST 4-32 PASSING
IN 24-20 WIN

NOT ENOUGH:
TENNESSEE CANT HOLD 4TH QUARTER
LEAD AS #1 BAMA ROLLS 40-28

DEATH VALLEY ROCKIN'
LSU DOWNS SEC WEST RIVAL AUBURN,
SETS UP SHOWDOWN BETWEEN ALABAMA

TOP SCORES
#5 A&M STAYS UNBEATEN WITH 40-14 WIN OVER IOWA STATE
#9 STANFORD HANGS ON IN OT BEATING WASHINGTON 37-34
#16 NEBRASKA GRABS FIRST BIG TEN WIN AGAINST MINNESOTA 31-24
#11 FLORIDA STATE SURVIVES OT SCARE, BEAT MARYLAND 31-28

SPORTING NEWS NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
WR PATRICK PARKER (BOISE STATE) 21 REC 311 YARDS 5 TD ALL BOISE SINGLE GAME SCHOOL RECORDS IN WIN OVER AIR FORCE

DEFENSE
LB LAWRENCE HOWE (TCU) 14 TACKLES 8 TFL AND 3 SACKS IN 41-3 WIN OVER NEW MEXICO

SEASON'S FIRST BCS RANKINGS ARE OUT!!!!
The much anticipated BCS rankings came out today. Teams like Texas A&M, Boise State, Houston and Ohio are all looking for the nod. Alabama (1.000) starts out #1 after being behind OU for much of the season. In a shock the South Carolina Gamecocks (.994) have jumped to #2 and Notre Dame's (.989) win last week moved them to #3 followed by OU (.983) at #4. Rounding out the top is Texas A&M (.978). Here are 6-10.

6. Boise State 6-0 (.972)
7. LSU 7-1 (.967)
8. Ohio State 6-1 (.956)
9. Stanford 6-1 (.951)
10. Michigan State 6-1 (.949)

TOP GAMES:
NAVY (5-2) @ #3 NOTRE DAME (7-0)
#4 OKLAHOMA (7-0) @ #24 KANSAS STATE (6-1)
NC STATE (6-1) @ #11 FLORIDA STATE (6-1)
OREGON STATE (6-1) @ UTAH (6-1)
ILLINOIS (6-2) @ #21 PENN STATE (7-1)

[Gosens6]

This is great man, keep up the good work. I know how infuriating INT's can be, just hang in there

[gorillapittpray]

BLAZER WEEKLY

A SHARPE STATEMENT:

After throwing 10 interceptions in the last two games
quarterback Andre Sharpe proved his critics wrong
throwing for a personal best 404 yards and was one
touchdown shy of tying the school record throwing
five touchdown passes, Moses would catch two of
them for 166 yards. In what was supposed to be
a battle of the conferences top defenses, UAB proved
to get that title as they held UCF to just 4-15 on third
downs while grabbing two turnovers and knocking
out UCF quarterback M. Jones in the 49-14 win.

"THEY SAID IT"
ON ANDRE SHARPE'S PLAY
"HE CAME TO PLAY, HE TOOK THE CRITICISM AND TURNED THE NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE INTO A POSITIVE VIBE, THATS WHY HE WAS VOTED CAPTAIN"
HEAD COACH TRAVIS RHATIGAN

ON KNOCKING QUARTERBACK M. JONES OUT THE GAME
"OF COURSE YOU NEVER WANT TO SEE GUYS GET HURT, BUT THAT WAS BIG FOR US, IT CHANGE OUR SCHEME FROM CAREFUL PLAY TO ALL OUT AGGRESSIVE PLAY WHEN THE BACK UP CAME IN, NOT ONY THAT BUT THATS WHEN OUR 25 POINT RUN STARTED."
LB TOM SLAUGHTER

ON THE FANS
"MAN, THATS WHY YOU PLAY BIG TIME FOOTBALL, IT WAS CRAZY HAVING THE ESPN CAMERA'S EVERYWHERE, IT WAS THURSDAY SO YOU KNOW GUYS WATCHED US DO OUR THING TONIGHT AND OUR FAN BASE IS GETTING BIGGER EVERY WEEK, WE FED OFF THEM TONIGHT."
WR IAN WILSON

RECRUITING NEWS:
UAB grabbed their first commitment of the season when FB Travis Johnson committed. The 6'0 210 pound Dothan, Alabama prospect is the 10 rated FB in the country. Troy's all city receiver Matt Ford recently moved UAB to the top of his list as he announced his top three. Quarterback Issac Brown was at the UCF game for a visit and was stated to saying he gave UAB an A- for his visit but soon gave Vanderbilt a soft commit. Speed Demon Craig Richards will visit UAB next week when they take on the top team in the conference the Houston Cougars. Richards, a three star receiver from Ft. Rucker Alabama said this is the game he had to be at to see where UAB stands. Fellow recruit Chris Green a defensive back from Enterprise lso will be in attendance for that game.

Coach Rhatigan spoke with the media on Tuesday, about last weekend wins and this weeks game at Marshall.

Opening Statement:
“As always, going back over last week’s game with UCF, It was a good win. I thought the first half we struggled a bit, I would like to think it was from the rainy weather but this time a year late October heading into November your going to get some bad weather games. Defensively, we gave up that big play to the Perkins kid early, but on the other side we did come up with five sacks and two turnovers on the day. Offensively, we really took advantage of them in the second half. To score 28 points in the third quarter, you have to be doing something good. We were equally effective both run and pass (in the game), but especially in the second half to get the lead that we did. I would have liked us to play the first half a little bit better. Although we were working the clock, I would have liked to see us move the ball better than we did.

Now Marshall, we know they are 1-7 but we have to be careful going in thinking we'll walk over them because they are on scholarship just like us. We dont want to repeat what happened to us last time on the road, we're gonna focus moving the ball and playing smart football and get out of there with a win. Marshall doesnt have any one that really stands out bt on offense their running back B. Pratt looks like a good athletic great balance and speed we'll definitely key in on him.

"A BLAZER WEEKLY SPECIAL"
GETTIN' DEFENSIVE

(SOME KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYS FROM THE SEASON)

LED BY A FIERY BUNCH UAB IS PLAYING ITS BEST
BALL ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE

Just call him Sergeant Slaughter. Tom Slaughter that is. The linebacker leads not by example but by hard hits his 31 solo tackles has him 5th in the conference among linebackers and the Junior seems to now be in tune with what UAB wants from their defense. With Safeties like #5 Nick Williams and #36 Eugene Jackson behind him and defensive lineman like #51 DJ Washington and #79 Jeff Bowser in front of him Slaughter gets to play in space, add lockdown corners #8 Keith Evans and #2 Stephens and you have Conference USA #1 ranked defense put a national twist to it and this unit ranks 10th. The senior dominated defense (Williams, Evans, Stephens and Washington) pick up the play from underclassmen like Slaughter and Bowser and Jackson and encourage them to be great Senior FS Nick Williams leads the NCAA in Tackles and perhaps jarring hits. He's expected to be a Nagurski Semi final for the nations top defensive player when the awards are announced.
"Coach Rhatigan is responsible for bringing in the attitude. Since day one in the spring he's hammered home how important we are and that this unit needs to lead the way"
Junior MLB Tom Slaughter
This unit is tied for second in the nation for sacks, led by Junior Jerry Bowser who also ranks 2nd individually with 7.0 sacks. Followed by Defensive line captain DJ Washington. These two are responsible for UAB #1 ranked rush defense giving up only 70 yards rushing a game.
"These guys are responsible for starting a tradition here. We want teams to fear our hard hitting flying around type of style like the Miami Hurricanes in the early 2000's. We're 6-1 by far exceeding every ones expectations, we have a chance at something special, I wasn't sure how we would turn out but I now see the passion these guys have and they sure make my job easy."
Head Coach Travis Rhatigan

[gorillapittpray]

Matchup Preview | October 29, 2011
	@
UAB Blazers (6-1, 3-1 Away)		Marshall Thundering Herd (1-7, 0-3 Home)
Injury Report CB E. WILKINSON 3W Game Notes UAB comes in having become bowl eligible. Another win and they can guarantee a bowl game. Head Coach Travis Rhatigan mentioned earlier this week he didnt was his guys to fall for a trap against the 1-7 Thundering herd. It will be up to Seniors like Nick Williams and Andre Sharpe to keep their focus and get out of Hunington with a win. Sharpe is coming off a 5 touchdown 400 yard performance like that today can turn his naysayers back to fans. Defensively led by Slaughter and company they need to find a way to slow down Tailback Blake Pratt. Pratt is one of the top backs in the conference and despite their record he has been the highlight of this team. He'll be following a pretty good offensive line as three of their lineman are tops in the conference for pancakes. Marshall has not been good defensively this year, this unit is giving up over 440 yards of total offense a game this includes 190 on the ground. They will have to stop two tailbacks in Danny Pryor and Matthew Scott. If they can force UAB to long yard situations they may have a chance. PREDICTION: UAB seems to have figure out their offense. With the defense playing great football this could be a laugher. UAB 42 Marshall 10

[gorillapittpray]

2011

PURE DOMINATION
BLAZERS LAY DOWN THE LAW AGAINST
HERD 73-7

~AP~ HUNTINGTON, WV-- UAB racks up over 400 yards of Offense and grabbed 6 turnovers as they route the Marshall Thunderin' Herd 73-7. Four of the six turnovers were returned for scores including three Interceptions. Andre Sharpe turned in a flawless performance throwing three scores for 343 yards. Blazer are now 7-1 and guaranteed a bowl game.

~RECAP~
A slow first quarter saw Marshall receive the opening kickoff and go a quick three and out. UAB held the ball for much of the quarter and after a seven play drive tailback D. Pryor score from two yards out. On the drive UAB quarterback A. Sharpe would go three for three for 62 yards. After one it was 7-0 Blazers.
The Blazers had the ball to start the 2nd quarter and had a similar drive to their first that saw Sharpe go 2-3 but the drive consisted of smaller runs by Pryor moving the chains. Backup tailback M. Scott would end the drive with a two yard touchdown putting the blazers up 14-0.
The Pressure started to get to Marshall starting quarterback A. Holt after taking huge hits on drop backs UAB LB McCray sacked Holt on third down knocking him out the game in the second quarter. It was a key play in the game because backup sophomore quarterback Max Parker came in to take over duty and he clearly wasn't ready for this UAB defense. Sharpe would throw his first touchdown pass the next drive to J. Moses for 46 yards and the defense would get their first turnover via a interception right before the half by Stephens. 21-0 at halftime
--
(MOSES DRAGS IN A MARSHALL DEFENDER FOR THE 2ND QTR TOUCHDOWN) (STEPHENS GRABS HIS FIRST OF TWO INTERCEPTION ON THE DAY)

The third quarter started with UAB going a quick three and out but on Marshall's first play after the punt SS E. Jackson picked off Parkers second interception and returned it 52 yards for the score putting UAB up 28-0. A three and out put Sharpe and UAB on the field but it took only two plays for Sharpe to connect with Wilson for the 52 yard touchdown. UAB was up 35-0 and not letting up. In what seemed to be a promising drive for Marshall ended in a 23 yard field goal that was missed as it hit the upright. This allowed Sharpe and company back on the field and five plays later Sharpe threw his third touchdown of the game as Wilson caught his 2nd for 32 yards putting UAB up 42-0 at the end of the third.
--
(#36 E. JACKSON GRABS UAB'S 2ND INT OF THE DAY) (WILSON HAULS IN HIS FIRST TOUCHDOWN OF THE DAY, HE WOULD GRAB HIS 2ND TOUCHDOWN LATER IN THE DAY)

Parker had a fourth quarter he never wants to remember again. On the first play of the quarter the back up three into triple coverage and corner K. Evans grabbed the pick setting up another UAB score this one by way of M. Scott putting the score 49-0. Parker would then come right back on the field and throw his fourth interception of the day this time to B. Walker who jumped a out route and raced to the end zone for the score putting UAB up 56-0. Parker wasnt finished giving away presents as he threw yet another pick six to start the next drive this time to Stephens who grabbed his second interception of the game and 6th of the season and made the score 63-0.
--
(THIS INTERCEPTIONS BY K. EVANS SET UP THIS 38 YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN BY M. SCOTT WHO MADE A VISCOUS CUT BACK MOVE TO BREAK FREE FOR THE SCORE)

Parker and his herd would finally get on the board and he calmly drove his team down the field tossing a short touchdown to running back to B. Pratt. After adding a field goal the Blazers led 66-7. But that defense wasn't done with Parker. LB T. Slaughter came off the edge untouched and blew up Parker causing the ball to pop out, defensive tackle DJ Wshington would scoop the fumble and run it in for the touchdown putting the final score at 73-7. Bowser would end the game with straight sacks ending a forgetful day for Parker.

(PLAYERS LIKE #51 DJ WASHINGTON AND #79 JESSE BOWSER PRESSURED MAX PARKER THE WHOLE SECOND HALF)

TOP PLAYERS
UAB
A. SHARPE 12-25 343 YARDS 3 TOUCHDOWNS
I. WILSON 2 REC 82 YARDS 2 TOUCHDOWNS
T. SLAUGHTER 9 TACKLES 4 TFL
M. STEPHENS 6 TACKLES 2 INT 1 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN

UCF
M. PETERSON 9 TACKLES
A. DODD 4 TACKLES 1 SACK

Oct 29, 2011 - UAB at MARS
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
UAB (7-1)	7	14	21	31	73
MARSHALL (1-8)	0	0	0	7	7

Team Stats Comparison
UAB		MARS
408	Total Offense	206
65	Rushing Yards	32
343	Passing Yards	174
11	First Downs	8
	Punt Return Yards
	Kick Return Yards
422	Total Yards	528
0	Turnovers	6
5-9	3rd Down Converstion	2-10
0-0	4th Down Conversion	0-0
	2-Point Conversion
3-3-0	Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	2-1-0
2-25	Penalties	1-5
11:56	Posession Time	12:40

[gorillapittpray]

YOUR HOME FOR NCAA NEWS!

BRUTE FORCE
SOONERS TOO MUCH FOR KANSAS STATE,
SHIFT FOCUS TO #5 A&M

TOP STORIES:

OVER BY THE HALF:
#3 NOTRE DAME BUILDS 30-3 HALFTIME
LEAD ON WAY TO 37-30 WIN OVER NAVY

NOT EVEN CLOSE:
UTAH RECEIVER C. FREEMAN SCORES THREE
TOUCHDOWNS AS UTAH ROLLS OREGON STATE
38-13 IN PAC-12 PLAY

SECOND NATURE:
SEMINOLES STORM BACK IN THE SECOND HALF
FROM 17 DOWN TO BEAT NC STATE 35-30

WHITED OUT:
PENN STATE SHINES OVER ILLINOIS STAYING
UNDEFEATED IN BIG 10 PLAY 34-10

TOP SCORES:
FLORIDA LOSES 7TH GAME THIS TIME TO GEORGIA 31-30
UAB RUNS UP THE SCORE ON MARSHALL 73-7
#18 WISCONSIN SHOCKS #15 OHIO STATE 20-17
FIU OFF TO SCHOOLS BEST START (7-1) WITH WIN OVER TROY 35-31
#8 STANFORD SLIPS PAST SC 41-35

SPORTING NEWS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

OFFENSE
QB DAMIAN TURNER (FIU) 22-33 280 YARDS 22 CAR 76 YARDS 5 TOTAL TOUCHDOWN IN WIN OVER TROY

DEFENSE
CB JAMES JOHNSON (MTSU) 10 TACKLES 2 FORCED FUMBLES, 1 FUMBLE RECOVERY IN WIN OVER UL LAFAYETTE

BCS RANKINGS:
With Ohio States loss to Wisconsin this past Saturday. Michigan State bunny hopped Stanford for the 8th spot while Oregon got in the top 10 moving to #10. 1 thru 7 stayed the same. Expect some big changes this week as four teams play each other this weekend in what is dubbed "Showdown Saturday" here are the top 7 rankings.

ALABAMA
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOTRE DAME
OKLAHOMA
TEXAS A&M
BOISE STATE
LSU

SHOWDOWN SATURDAY!

Its a big weekend for college football. As the weather turns and the months change its put up or shut up. The first weekend of November have some huge match ups that will have a major BCS impact.

#23 Houston (8-0,4-0) travels to Legion Field to take on UAB (7-1,4-1)
In a possible conference USA championship preview Houston brings in the Nations #2 total offense led by Quarterback W. Mills (24td-1int) UAB comes in with the #9 defense in the country. Both teams are looking to garner national respect, a win for Houston could move them in BCS talks a win by UAB could bring them closer to a new years day bowl. Who wants it more?
12:00 pm/est ABC

#7 LSU(7-1,5-0) travels to Tuscaloosa to face #1 Alabama(8-0,5-0)
Alabama has the #3 rated defense in the country.But LSU's 8th ranked defense feels theyre better. Something has to give. Winner has inside track to SEC title game.
3:30 pm/est CBS

North Carolina (8-1, 4-1) travels to NC State (6-2, 2-2)
Besides the fact that its a rivalry game a win will most definitely put UNC in the top 25 rankings and a inside track to the ACC championship. A NC State win could keep there hopes alive to make but they need Florida State to lose to Boston College today.
3:30pm/est ABC

GAME OF THE WEEK
(COLLEGE GAMEDAY WILL BE ON HAND)
#5 Texas A&M (8-0,5-0) heads to Norman to take on #4 Oklahoma (8-0,5-0)
The past few years A&M has been getting better and have played Oklahoma well, but this year its in Norman, last time they play in Norman OU hung 60 on the Aggies. OU brings in the #1 defense in the country But A&M brings in quarterback Brian Mangum (24td-3int) and a offense full of playmakers. Lee Kirk and the game will call this one, should be a barnburner.
7pm/est ABC

[gorillapittpray]

CONFERENCE USA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCED THAT UAB DEFENSIVE BACK MARCUS STEPHENS WAS SELECTED AT THIS WEEK'S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK. HIS IS THE THIRD BLAZER TO WIN THIS AWARD. HE MAD 6 TACKLES HAD 3 PASS BREAK-UPS AND TWO INTERCEPTION ONE HE RETURNED FOR A TOUCHDOWN. STEPHENS NOW LEADS THE CONFERENCE WITH 6 INTERCEPTIONS