Tag: UAB

Sep 14, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes in the second quarter as UAB Blazers edge Desmond Little (8) defends at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Down 14, Taylen Green and Arkansas rally past UAB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for 147 yards and a touchdown as Arkansas overcame an early two-touchdown hole to upend UAB 37-27 on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns and finished 11-for-26 passing for 161 yards. His main target was Andrew Armstrong, who had a game-high eight catches for 137 yards. The Razorbacks (2-1) ran for 266 yards and averaged seven yards per carry.

Both teams were coming off disappointing losses. UAB (1-2) was the sharper team in the first quarter, opening the game with a 15-play drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Jonah Delange and took 7:27 off the clock.

Green’s second pass of the game was intercepted and run back to the Razorbacks 15 by Michael Moore. The Blazers only needed two plays to score from there with Jacob Zeno (23 of 32, 235 yards, three TDs, one INT) making a tap pass to Kam Shanks, who raced 15 yards to make it 10-0.

UAB, a three-touchdown underdog, scored on the first play of the second quarter to make it 17-3. Zeno fired to Amare Thomas on a quick slant, who went 34-yards for the score.

But Arkansas dominated the rest of the half. Braylen Russell finished a 12-play, 75-yard drive by Arkansas with a 2-yard TD plunge to make it 17-10. Green scrambled 14 yards on the Razorbacks’ next possession to tie the score before the teams traded field goals to make it 20-20 at halftime.

Arkansas took the lead for good on the first drive of the second half with Jackson scoring on a 12-yard run up the middle. The run put him over 100 yards for the eighth time in his career as a Razorback.

UAB cut the lead to 30-27 with 6:55 to go when Zeno threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 21-yard toss to Dallas Payne to cap a 12-play, 83-yard drive. Green answered with a 9-yard touchdown run around the left side with 3:36 left.

Arkansas entered the game with the nation’s No 2 ranked offense, averaging 667.5 yards a game. They finished with 427.

UAB wide receiver Brandon Buckhaulter was stretchered off the field late in the first half. He was hit up high after his helmet had been twisted off after catching a quick screen. Per UAB’s radio sideline reporter, Buckhaulter had movement in all of his extremities.

–Field Level Media

Eastern Washington Eagles linebacker Elijah Rodriguez (52) gets a hand on Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna (11) in the second half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Eastern Washington Eagles

Former Florida QB Jalen Kitna transferring to UAB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna has committed to join coach Trent Dilfer’s program at UAB, ESPN reported Saturday.

Kitna was kicked off the team at Florida in November 2022 after an arrest on felony charges that were later dropped.

Kitna was facing five felony counts of possessing and distributing child pornography before agreeing to a plea deal in July. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct.

He avoided jail time and was placed on six months of probation for each count. He did not have to register as a sex offender.

Dilfer and UAB athletic director Mark Ingram told ESPN that “extensive due diligence” was done while reviewing Kitna’s application to the school.

A university spokesperson told ESPN that Kitna has been admitted to the school and will be on the Birmingham, Ala., campus next week for an official visit.

In a statement to ESPN published Saturday, Kitna said he was “grateful for the opportunity” at UAB.

“I acknowledge that I made naive decisions that I deeply regret and have since learned from,” he said. “As a result, I took responsibility by pleading no-contest to second-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges related to those decisions.”

Kitna, the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, said he weighed “multiple offers” before choosing to play for the Blazers.

“I firmly believe that UAB is the perfect fit for me,” the 6-foot-4 sophomore told ESPN. “I consider myself fortunate to be in Birmingham, surrounded by an incredible support system, having found a church family, and being able to take advantage of the numerous resources offered by the university.”

Kitna was the backup to eventual NFL first-round pick Anthony Richardson at Florida in 2022. He appeared in four games for the Gators and threw for 181 yards and one touchdown.

Kitna was a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class coming out of Burleson, Texas. He was ranked as the No. 55 quarterback in the country by the 247 Sports composite.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs against UAB Blazers safety Ike Rowell (4) after a catch during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Beck accounts for four TDs as No. 1 Georgia rolls past UAB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Behind four total touchdowns by quarterback Carson Beck and two scoring receptions by tight end Brock Bowers, top-ranked Georgia rolled to a 49-21 win at home over UAB on Saturday night in Athens, Ga.

Beck completed 22 of 32 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing score. Bowers finished with team-highs in catches (nine) and yards (120) and added scoring receptions of 41 and 10 yards.

Tailback Daijuan Edwards paced the ground attack of the Bulldogs (4-0) with 66 yards and two touchdowns.

Receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (three receptions for 94 yards), Dominic Lovett (three receptions for 59 yards) and Arian Smith (12-yard scoring reception) highlighted Georgia’s receivers.

The Bulldogs were six for six in the red zone after struggling in that area through the first three games.

UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno passed for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. He also added 22 yards and a score on the ground. Blazers wideout Amare Thomas finished with nine grabs for 60 yards and a score.

Tailback Isaiah Jacobs added a team-high 27 yards on the ground and four receptions for 21 yards for the Blazers. Tight end Bryce Damous added a scoring reception.

Georgia took a quick 7-0 lead on its opening possession after Smith scored on a 12-yard catch and run from Beck. The six-play, 75-yard drive was sparked by a 33-yard catch by Lovett.

UAB (1-3) tied the score 7-7 early in the second quarter when Zeno hooked up with Damous on a 16-yard touchdown pass on third-and-4 inside Georgia territory. The scoring drive was set up on a muffed punt return by Bulldogs wideout Mekhi Mews at the UGA 36-yard line.

Edwards capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run with 10:00 to go in the second quarter. Bowers had two catches for 27 yards on the scoring march.

After forcing UAB to punt on its ensuing possession, Beck connected with Bowers on a 41-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 21-7 with 2:40 to go until halftime. The TD reception capped a seven-play, 92-yard scoring drive that took only 2:32 off the clock.

Following the kickoff, Zeno’s pass was intercepted by defensive back Tykee Smith at the UAB 25-yard line. The interception set up a 3-yard scoring run by Edwards that put Georgia up 28-7 with 1:26 to go in the opening half.

But the Blazers responded with an impressive nine-play, 70-yard drive, which was capped by a 2-yard scoring reception by Thomas, to make it 28-14 with eight seconds to go in the second quarter.

Georgia came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. A 1-yard scoring run by Beck with 9:06 left in the third quarter put the Bulldogs up 35-14. Following a UAB punt on its ensuing possession, Bowers scored from 10 yards out on a pass from Beck with 5:38 left in the third quarter to up Georgia’s lead to 42-14.
Backup tailback Sevaughn Clark put UGA up 49-14 when he scored from 7 yards out with 9:05 to play in the game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; UAB Blazers interim head coach Bryant Vincent talks to the side judge against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

UAB holds off Miami (Ohio) late to win Bahamas Bowl

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The bowl season began in dramatic fashion Friday as the UAB defense stopped Miami (Ohio) short of the goal line as time expired to hang on for a 24-20 victory in the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau.

Aveon Smith connected with Jalen Walker on a 13-yard pass on the final play of the game, but Walker was tackled at the 2-yard line to touch off a celebration by the Blazers.

UAB (7-6) had taken the lead on the previous series after making a bold decision. With no timeouts, 1:35 left and facing a fourth-and-1 at the Miami 12-yard line, the Blazers opted against attempting a game-tying field goal.

The gamble worked out even better than UAB hoped for, as Jermaine Brown Jr. burst through the offensive line and scampered untouched for the 12-yard go-ahead touchdown.

Brown paced UAB’s offense on the day with 24 carries for 116 yards and two scores. Dylan Hopkins completed 16 of 24 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown and Trea Shropshire caught six passes for 183 yards and a TD.

The Blazers have won back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history after winning the Independence Bowl last season.

Smith completed 15 of 27 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns for Miami (6-7). He also rushed 22 times for a team-high 50 yards. Mac Hippenhammer and Kenny Tracy caught touchdown passes.

The game featured four lead changes and saw UAB jump out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Hopkins connected with Shropshire for a touchdown pass and Matt Quinn kicked a 42-yard field goal.

Miami battled back and took the lead in the third quarter on a 4-yard scoring rush from Kevin Davis. The two sides then exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

UAB won despite losing the turnover battle 0-3. The Blazers lost two fumbles and threw a pick. Miami’s offense simply wasn’t strong enough to take full advantage of those mistakes though. The RedHawks converted just 4 of 14 third downs and were outgained by 118 yards on offense by the Blazers.

It was the final game on UAB’s sidelines for interim coach Bryant Vincent. Former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer takes the reins of the Blazers as their new head coach this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

UAB, Miami (Ohio) chase 7th win of season at Bahamas Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In the Bahamas Bowl, the winner will finish with a winning season. The other will go home with some extra sunshine and a losing record.

Miami (Ohio) will meet UAB in a battle of 6-6 teams in the first bowl game of the 2022 slate on Friday at 11:30 a.m. EST at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.

While the teams enter with matching records, that’s where the similarities stop.

Miami is led by coach Chuck Martin in his ninth year, while UAB is in transition. This will be the final game that interim coach Bryant Vincent leads the Blazers before former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer takes the reins.

Dilfer said last week that he will be in the Bahamas for the game and will work with Vincent and his staff on whatever they need him to do.

“I plan on serving coach Vincent and this staff any way I can. I mean that. He is the head coach,” Dilfer told the Tribune newspaper of Nassau. “I’m here to support him in the transition, to serve these young men, to serve this staff. I’m not joking — if they send me on coffee runs, I’ll go on coffee runs. … I want to help them finish strong. I also hope to earn their trust as we go through this together, because great things are coming.”

This game will mark the first-ever meeting between the Blazers and RedHawks.

UAB ended the regular season – its final run in Conference USA before transitioning to the American next year – with a 37-27 road victory over Louisiana Tech. The Blazers were powered by a rushing attack that racked up 414 yards and three touchdowns. DeWayne McBride led the way with 272 yards on 16 carries for a 17-yards-per-try average.

A junior, McBride was tapped as the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year this season. He leads all of FBS in rushing yards (1,713) and touchdowns (19). UAB has the nation’s fifth-best rushing offense, averaging 243.1 yards per game.

Miami’s defense is anchored by Ryan McWood and Matthew Salopek, each of whom has more than 100 total tackles this season. Brian Ugwu leads the team in tackles for loss with 9 1/2.

“I like going to bowl games where it’s warm,” Martin said. “For a lot of these kids and a lot of these families, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

This is the first time since the 2003 and 2004 seasons that the RedHawks have gone to a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. They are 6-5 all-time in bowl matchups.

UAB is 2-3 all-time in bowl games and has been bowl-eligible in six straight seasons but didn’t play in one in 2020 because of a pandemic-related cancellation. UAB played in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl, losing 41-6 to Ohio.

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2022; Alabaster, AL, USA; Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer watches as his team plays at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-Tuscaloosa News Lipscomb Academy Vs Thompson High High School

Reports: UAB set to hire Trent Dilfer as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trent Dilfer is on the verge of jumping from a high school coaching job to becoming the head football coach at UAB.

Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday night that the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback is set to take over a Blazers team that went 6-6 this year, 4-4 in Conference USA play.

Dilfer is in his fourth year running the Lipscomb Academy football program in Nashville, and his team is one win away from capturing a second consecutive Tennessee Division II Class AA state championship.

Dilfer, 50, played 13 seasons in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-99), Baltimore Ravens (2000), Seattle Seahawks (2001-04), Cleveland Browns (2005) and San Francisco 49ers (2007). He wound up with a 58-55 regular-season record as a starter, throwing for 20,518 yards on 55.5 percent passing with 113 touchdowns and 129 interceptions.

Dilfer led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in January 2001, completing 12 of 25 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown as Baltimore routed the New York Giants 34-7.

After his playing career, Dilfer went into broadcasting, working for NFL Network, ESPN and Fox Sports.

UAB was led this season by interim coach Bryant Vincent, who got the role when Bill Clark retired in the summer due to health issues. Clark had a 49-26 record with the Blazers, starting in 2014 before the program was shuttered for two years before resuming action.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back Noah Cain (21) rushes against UAB Blazers linebacker Noah Wilder (50) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

No. 6 LSU pounds out 31 first downs, clobbers UAB

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Noah Cain ran for three touchdowns, and John Emery Jr. and Jayden Daniels ran for one each as No. 6 LSU defeated visiting UAB 41-10 in a nonconference game Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Daniels ran for 111 yards and completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and a touchdown as the SEC West champion Tigers (9-2) won their fifth consecutive game. Malik Nabers caught seven of those passes for 129 yards.

Dylan Hopkins completed 14 of 29 for 158 yards for the Blazers (5-6), who remained winless in five road games this season. DeWayne McBride, who was averaging 141 rushing yards per game, finished with just 34 yards on 13 carries.

LSU outgained UAB 565 yards to 259 and had 31 first downs, converting 11 of 13 third downs.

Daniels rushed 2 yards for a touchdown that increased LSU’s 28-10 halftime lead to 34-10 at the end of the third quarter.

He threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. to complete the scoring early in the fourth quarter.

On the first possession of the game, LSU drove 79 yards and Emery ran 2 yards for a touchdown on third-and-goal.

Jermaine Brown Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 66 yards to the Tigers 30. Three plays later, McBride ran 5 yards to tie the score and increase his school single-season record for rushing touchdowns to 18.

Cain ran 5 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing possession that gave LSU a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, Matt Quinn kicked a 29-yard field to pull the Blazers within 14-10.

The Tigers were in position to increase the lead when Emery lost a fumble at the UAB 8, the first of two fumbles he lost in Blazers’ territory.

But LSU added to the lead later in the quarter when Cain’s 1-yard touchdown run made it 21-10.

Cain added another 1-run touchdown run to push the lead to 28-10 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Head Coach Brian Kelly talking with Malik Nabers on the sideline as the LSU Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.Saturday October 22, 2022 Lsu Vs Ole Miss Football V1 7925

No. 6 LSU continues climb with SEC title shot secured

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LSU’s four consecutive SEC wins secured the West Division title and a spot in the conference championship game against top-ranked Georgia.

But the No. 6 Tigers (8-2, 6-1) still have regular-season work ahead the next two weeks.

They will conclude their home schedule when they step out of conference play to face UAB on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La. Then they will visit Texas A&M before heading to Atlanta for the title game Dec. 3.

LSU was unranked entering its first season under head coach Brian Kelly. As soon as it appeared in the rankings or the first time, LSU was whipped by then-undefeated Tennessee 40-13. But the Tigers haven’t lost since, producing one of the most surprising seasons in college football.

Kelly said his focus this season was on building a foundation, not necessarily seeking a specific number of victories or titles.

“I didn’t put any wins or losses on this team,” Kelly said. “I put, ‘I want to play hard, I want to be better in November, I want to teach them how to win’. I think we’ve hit all of those markers, and that’s kind of where I wanted this program to be. I think we’re at where we should be at this time.”

After upsetting Alabama 33-32 in overtime two weeks ago, the Tigers went to Arkansas last week and struggled before edging the Razorbacks 13-10. They wrapped up the West a few hours later when Alabama held off Ole Miss.

“Winning is a habit and losing is a habit,” Kelly said. “What we can take out of that game is they have done the things necessary to make winning a habit. They found a way to win that football game.”

UAB (5-5, 3-4 Conference USA) needs a win in its final two games to become bowl eligible. It’s coming off one of its most impressive victories of the season, a 42-21 triumph against North Texas in the home finale.

The Blazers finished 5-1 at home and are 0-4 on the road. But all of the road losses – against Liberty, Rice, Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic – have been by seven or fewer points. Their lone home loss was a 44-38 set-back against UTSA in double overtime.

“Every loss came down to the end and we had opportunities to either win the game or tie the game, and that’s tough,” first-year coach Bryant Vincent said. “It challenges your character, it challenges your mentality, and that’s something that this football team has never strayed from.”

The Blazers rank 29th nationally in yards allowed (338.4 total yards per game).

In the victory against North Texas, DeWayne McBride rushed for three touchdowns, giving him a school-record 17 this season. He has 10 straight 100-yard rushing games and UAB ranks sixth in the FBS with 247.1 yards per game. McBride is second with 1,407 yards.

“We realize that we’re going into Tiger Stadium in a night game,” UAB coach Bryant Vincent said. “They’re ranked sixth in the country, they’re going to play for the SEC championship. This is a game that our players and this football team, we’re not going to back down.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2021; Shreveport, LA, USA; UAB Blazers head coach Bill Clark embraces UAB Blazers offensive linemen Colby Ragland (53) after defeating the BYU Cougars during the 2021 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

UAB coach Bill Clark retires due to serious back issues

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UAB football coach Bill Clark said Friday that he is retiring from his post due to chronic back issues.

Clark, who famously rebuilt the program in Birmingham after it was shut down for two seasons, will officially step down on Aug. 1.

“Retiring as the UAB head football coach is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but my future health and well-being depend on it,” Clark wrote on Twitter.

Clark, who turns 54 on Tuesday, will leave after eight years and six seasons. He has a 49-26 record, including the only two bowl victories in school history.

Clark said he will undergo spinal fusion surgery in hopes of alleviating the back issues that have plagued him. He said he initially hurt the back while doing squats in high school.

“I have reached this difficult decision after consultation with a number of world-class medical experts and much family discussion, reflection and prayer,” Clark said in his lengthy statement. “Having undergone a previous back surgery, extensive physical therapy, shots and chiropractic therapy, I have exhausted all of my options.

“Due to the extreme physical demands placed on a head coach, it is clear to me. It’s time to pass the torch and try and get well.”

Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent will serve as interim coach, and defensive coordinator David Reeves was promoted to assistant head coach. The Blazers are moving from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference for the 2023 season.

The UAB program was shut down after the 2014 season due to financial reasons. The program was reinstated one year later and the Blazers began play again in 2017 and Clark stunningly guided the team to an 8-5 record that season and an 11-3 mark in 2018.

Clark was named Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year for the 2018 campaign.

The Blazers went 9-4 last season for their fifth straight winning season. UAB finished the campaign with a 31-28 victory in the Independence Bowl over No. 13 BYU — the highest-ranked team the program has ever defeated.

“We rose from ashes to build something rare and real, and we did it together,” Clark wrote. “We set excellence as a standard, and we achieved it.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2021; Shreveport, LA, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Baylor Romney (16) runs the ball during the second quarter against the UAB Blazers during the 2021 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

UAB uses ground game to beat No. 13 BYU in Independence Bowl

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Dylan Hopkins threw three touchdown passes, including a 14-yard strike to Trea Shropshire in the fourth quarter to give UAB a 31-28 upset of No. 13 BYU on Saturday in the Independence Bowl at Shreveport, La.

Hopkins’ game-winning toss came on fourth-and-7 with 6:17 left. It was the second fourth down UAB (9-4) converted on the drive as it won a bowl game for the second time in the program’s 31-year history. BYU was the highest-ranked opponent the Blazers have ever beaten.

Hopkins completed 19 of 23 passes for 189 yards. DeWayne McBride carried 28 times for 183 yards and scored on a 64-yard sprint in the first quarter.

BYU (10-3) was led by Tyler Allgeier, who carried 27 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns in breaking the Cougars’ single-season rushing record. Allgeier topped the mark of Luke Staley who ran for 1,582 yards in 2001. Allgeier finished the year with 1,601 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

Allgeier’s third score of the game came early in the fourth quarter after Masen Wake ran 29 yards with a shovel pass to the 1-yard line. Allgeier’s touchdown carry gave BYU a 28-24 lead.

But UAB retaliated with a 75-yard drive. McBride carried for 44 yards in the march which milked 8:16 from the fourth-quarter clock.

BYU moved to midfield on its ensuing possession but at the end of a 22-yard reception, Samson Nacua fumbled and UAB’s Mac McWilliams recovered with 3:36 left. The Blazers then ran out the clock as McBride rushed for a pair of first downs and Jermaine Brown (8 carries, 47 yards) carried for another.

The Cougars were without injured starting quarterback Jaren Hall. Baylor Romney completed 15 of 23 passes for 195 yards.

UAB took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Hopkins capped a 60-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Gerrit Prince.

On the Blazers’ next possession, McBride broke into the clear on off tackle run, stiff-armed a defender to the ground and outran two other defenders to the end zone on his 64-yard touchdown run.

But BYU responded with touchdowns on its next two possessions. On a 72-yard drive on which he accounted for all the yards on seven carries, Allgeier capped it with a 1-yard scoring run. Then Nacua scored on a 2-yard end around to tie it.

UAB regained the lead before the half ended as Hopkins capped a 78-yard march with a 23-yard strike to Prince on a wheel route.

–Field Level Media