Turnovers Cost Blazers as UAB is Shocked by Northwestern State
Despite being heavy favorites, UAB (0-3) couldn't get their first win of the year this afternoon in their home opener versus FCS foe Northwestern State (2-2). The Blazers got off to a horrible start, falling behind 14-0 early on, and turnovers cost the Blazers dearly throughout the game.
Down 17-10 in the fourth quarter, UAB defensive coordinator Reggie Johnson dialed up an all-out blitz on third-and-one from midfield with the hope of stuffing the Demon's rushing attack and forcing them to punt the football. The Demons had the right played called to counter it, however, as a play-action fake resulted in a 51-yard touchdown pass to put Northwestern State up 24-10 with five minutes remaining.
Austin Brown was benched after throwing his third interception of the game and senior backup quarterback Jonathan Perry came in on the ensuing drive. Perry hit Devante Scott on a simple curl route near the sideline, which he turned up field, broke two tackles, and scampered off for a 73-yard score with 1:21 remaining. The 73-yard score is UAB's longest play from scrimmage this year.
The UAB defense forced Northwestern State into a three-and-out and got the ball back down 24-17 with a little over a minute remaining. However, the comeback ended there as Perry's sixth pass attempt of the afternoon resulted in an interception, the Blazers' fifth of the day.
The Blazers moved the ball well enough today as they surpassed 400 yards of total offense, but five turnovers killed many drives and handed Northwestern State points. Four of the turnovers were interceptions while one came via a fumble.
The Blazers' third loss of the season nearly seals the deal as far as the Blazers' bowl chances this year. The Blazers will be heavy underdogs against Vanderbilt next week and would have to go 6-2 in conference play in order to make a bowl game this year, which is highly unlikely. It would be surprising if the Blazers manage to win more than two games over the remainder of the season as they will likely be an underdog in all of their remaining games.
Yeah, I don't think I've ever lost to an FCS team in this game before. It was just a disastrous game. UAB is a 68 OVR while the FCS East squad's overall is in the low 60s, so it's not a monumental upset or anything, but it hurts. I really should have won, but the turnovers killed me.
I've been waiting for this. I recently started a dynasty as the OC at UAB running the flexbone offense. Should be interesting to see how our records compare. Are you playing coach mode, or playing the games?
I've been waiting for this. I recently started a dynasty as the OC at UAB running the flexbone offense. Should be interesting to see how our records compare. Are you playing coach mode, or playing the games?
I play the games.
The only house rule I use is that I don't run the strict read option. I can use all the other option plays, but the "read option" play, no matter the formation, seems overpowered.
It is very overpowered. It's difficult to stop on defense too because the ncaa games don't have the option to read the QB vs read the RB like madden does
It is very overpowered. It's difficult to stop on defense too because the ncaa games don't have the option to read the QB vs read the RB like madden does
With jello1717's sliders, and especially with 25 RBA, it really helps tone down the option, though. As I said, the read option still overpowered (can't be fixed with sliders... it's broken), but the other various options really aren't.
And, yes, I agree, it is hard to stop the CPU when they go read option. I just set QB contain to aggressive and hope for the best.
How well is user pass coverage for you? The sliders that I use somehat fixed the issue of it, but when I play air raid teams like California, it is just nearly impossible to stop them because user pass coverage is so horrible in this game.
__________________
NCAA: Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers
NFL: Atlanta Falcons
NBA: Atlanta Hawks
MLB: Atlanta Braves
Soccer: Southampton and Atlanta United
10-20-2014, 01:20 AM
