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THE CAMPUS GAZETTE
UAB UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER
Saturday November 21st, 2015

BLAZERS FIGHT BACK

BLAZERS SCORE THE FINAL 17 POINTS FOR HARD FOUGHT VICTORY 38-31 OVER #9 GEORGIA

Birmingham, Ala - The Blazers knew what they were getting into when the #9 Georgia Bulldogs came into town, after all they stole a victory right from the Bulldogs as time expired a year ago. Linebacker Timi McCollum willed a fourth quarter rally forcing a critical fumble to preserve the win for the Blazers. " When we focus and execute we are damn good." Defensive coordinator Frank Hickman said. His Blazers gave up 367 yards threw three and half quarters of football. " We bended greatly but we did not break. Im proud at the push and effort down the stretch to get this win." The win gives the Blazers sole possession of the SEC East crown and will find out next week if they face Auburn or Alabama for the SEC title.

What also helped UAB was Bulldog running back Brad Norton getting knocked out in the second quarter he already had 137 yards on just 6 carries. Back up D. Morgan went over 100 yards as well grabbing 131 yards on 20 carries but was routinely stuff on third downs in the second half. Quarterback Jonathon Jones was helpful throwing for 15-23 for 203 yards and three touchdowns but a crucial fourth quarter fumble proved costly.

For UAB Adam Dyks started slow, he would throw two early interceptions stalling the Blazers, but finished with 352 yards and three touchdowns of course his main target was receiver Matt Ford who recorded his second straight 200 yard game grabbing all three touchdown passes. Tailback Lawrence Long provided the balance on the ground gaining 116 yards on 12 carries including a 66-yard touchdown run to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Georgia came into the game poised and primed for the upset and showed it early, a 6 play 82 yard drive ended on a B. Norton 11 yard touchdown pass putting Georgia up 7-0 early. As always the Adam Dyks led offense was ready to come back and answer but on the ensuing kickoff returner of the year finalist Travis Barnes took a huge hit from linebacker D. Wilson forcing a fumble and putting Georgia back on the field three plays later Jones would toss his second touchdown pass putting Georgia up 14-0 and thats how the quarter would end.
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(THE BLAZERS WERE DOWN 14 BEFORE THE OFFENSE EVEN TOOK THE FIELD SATURDAY AGAINST GEORGIA)

The Blazers would finally get on track after seeing the field just twice in the first quarter that resulted in a 3 and out and a interception. The Dyks to Ford connection would get the Birmingham faithful back cheering after the Blazers got into Georgia territory, facing a 3rd and 15 Dyks would hit Ford who out ran the defense 57 yards for the score. The defense finally helped out but not before getting gashed by Norton and company, Nortan took a handoff for Georgia on the next drive and broke for 71 yards before finally getting ran down by corner Adam Love, linebacker Timi McCollum and defensive tackle Marcus Leak would help the Blazers hold Georgia to just three points after a 25 yard field goal by Seward. Dyks went back to work hitting receivers Bill Cooley and Travis Jackson for big gains before finding Ford for their second connection of the game this time from 26 yards out putting UAB down 17-14. Georgia stuck with the run and Norton broke for a 40 yard run before getting facemasked by freshmen free safety Kory Rodgers, the penalty moved Georgia inside UAB's 20 yard line but proved costly as Norton was injured on the play causing him to miss the rest of the game. Looking ready to increase their lead before the half Georgia's J. Jones forced a bad pass that was picked off by corner Adam Love in the back of the end zone and the two teams went into the half with Georgia up 17-14.
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(TWO SECOND QUARTER TOUCHDOWN GRABS BY MATT FORD ALONG WITH A ADAM LOVE INTERCEPTION HELP UAB KEEP IT CLOSE AT HALFTIME)

The third quarter was like a cat and mouse game. Both teams would trade scores. Just when Georgia would get momentum UAB would storm back and vise versa. Back up running back D. Morgan would open the half out with two big time runs, a 30 yard toss, which was controversial as it seemed two key blocks were actually clips and then two plays later he would sprint up the middle running by an all out Blitz for the blazers resulting in a 55-yard touchdown run putting Georgia up 24-14. UAB would answer, Dyks would pump fake a quick pass to Lawrence Long out the backfield before finding Ford 75-yards for the score, it was the third time the two hooked up and Ford's NCAA leading 17th touchdown reception putting him just three behind school record holder Ian Wilson. The score was 24-21 Georgia and the crowd was back in the game, but the next drive was an unusual drive. It was the first time all day UAB looked like they could stop Georgia. But a penalty riddled drive extended Georgia four times on third downs that included two facemask penalties and two pass interference penalties and Georgia would cap the helped out drive with a 3-yard L. White touchdown reception which also drew a flag.
The Blazers didnt let that drive disappoint however, they seemed to have Georgia's defense figured out and thier defense finally was getting a hold of Georgia, the Blazers used the final two minutes of the third quarter to drive down the field and get a 3 yard touchdown run from back up Ellis Fox. The third quarter ended with Georgia up 31-28.
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(BOTH TEAMS WOULD TRADE SCORES DURING THE THIRD PERIOD, BUT UAB SEEMED TO GET THE MOMENTUM)

The stage was finally set for what seemed to be and turned out to be a dramatic fourth quarter. It was UAB who would do the scoring tho during the fourth quarter. As the last drive showed the defense was finally on top of Georgia's scheme. Led by Timi McCollum who would finish the game with 12 tackles and two sacks focrced one of his two fumbles when he stripped D. Morgan on a critical third down and short. The Blazers didnt recover but it forced a Georgia punt. Down three and not in a rush the Blazers went back to the run game but this was after a booming punt that was down at the 12 yard line. Long who averaged 9 yards a carry gashed Georgia for runs of 14 and 18 yards, with the run getting huge chunks the blazers went back with it and the third consecutive play saw Long burst three the middle for a 66 yard scoring run giving the Blazers their first lead of the game. The fans went into a ruckus after the run as the teammates piled on Long, the Bulldog defenders looked tired and worn out. With under 2:00 minutes left the Blazers clung to a 35-31 lead and a pumped up defense hit the field. Jones was living off the quick pass all day as he worked UAB's zone but the Blazers came out in man press, that would buy time for the Blazers defense, Timi McCollum would perhaps make the play of the game when forced Jones who was scrambling to fumble the ball which was then recovered by linebacker Travis Jackson. The Blazers would run the clock all the way down to 15 seconds before Shane Jordan kicked in a 23 yard field goal putting UAB up 38-31. Two desperation heaves fell incomplete and the Blazers would hold on for the victory winning and adding to the nations longest home winning streak at 30 games.
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(UAB'S DEFENSE LED BY TIMI MCCOLLUM FINALLY MADE THE PLAYS DOWN THE STRETCH TO PRESERVE THE WIN FOR THE BLAZERS)

"You could really feel the emotion after Lawrence broke that long touchdown run." Quarterback Adam Dyks said. "It was like ok we finally got the upper hand in this one, we just need to finish.
"All I saw was Mac given chance and then the ball popped out." Defensive tackle Marcus Leak said. "If Jackson didnt jump on it, I was gonna scoop and score (Laughing)
"You have to really give it up for the fans, they were all the way tuned into this game. When Long went to the house it was chill bumps running across my bidy as I was helping him run home." An excited Head Coach Travis said.
The Blazers shut down Georgia attack in the fourth quarter and once again found a way to win the close one. Georgia won the time of possession but 10:00 Minutes but a 4-11 third down showing hurt them down the stretch. The Blazers were penalized 9 times for 120 yards but over came those with quick scoring strikes. The Blazers close out the season on Senior day next week against Vanderbilt.


BOX SCORE:

#1 UAB 38 - #9 Georgia 31
(EARLY TURNOVERS ALMOST HURT THE BLAZERS BUT THEY SOMEHOW FOUGHT BACK WINNING THEIR 30TH STRAIGHT HOME GAME)

Photos | Season Stats | Game Book | Quotes | Notes

	1	2	3	4	F
#1 UAB (11-0, 8-0)	0	14	14	10	38
#9 UGA (7-3, 6-4)	14	3	14	0	31

Quick Stats	UAB	UGA
Total Yards	481	459
Passing Yards	352	203
Rushing Yards	129	256
First Downs	10	16
Turnovers	3	2
Penalties - Yards	9-120	4-30
3rd Down Conversions	2-5	4-11
4th Down Conversions	0-0	1-1
Sacks	3	0
Time of Possession	9:00	19:10

Statistical Leaders - UAB
Passing	C-A	Yards	TD/Int	Long
A. Dyks	12-21	352	3/2	75
Rushing	Rushes	Yards	TD	Long
L. Long	12	116	1	66
Receiving	Rec	Yards	TD	Long
M. Ford	6	255	3	75
T. Jackson	3	50	0	39
Defensive	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	TO
T. McCollum	12	2.0	5	2 FF
K. Rodgers	6	0	0	0
M. Gatewood	5	0	0	0

Statistical Leaders - Georgia
Passing	C-A	Yards	TD/Int	Long
J. Jones	15-23	203	3/1	64
Rushing	Rushes	Yards	TD	Long
D. Morgan	20	131	1	55
B. Norton	6	137	1 rec	71
Receiving	Rec	Yards	TD	Long
L. White	5	57	1	16
J. Smith	3	70	0	64
K. Felder	3	53	0	30
Defensive	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	TO
E. Shaw	8	0	0	1 INT
B. Bell	6	0	0	0
K. Fowler	4	0	0	0