The UAB Blazers secured a commanding 40-14 victory over the Rice Owls at Protective Stadium.
An exciting first quarter saw both teams score two touchdowns, setting up what appeared to be a potential shootout. However, Rice’s offensive difficulties in the second quarter paved the way for a Blazer triumph.
With this win, the Blazers improved to 3-8 for the season, marking their second consecutive home victory, while the Owls also fell to 3-8.
Here are the highlights from Saturday’s game:
Blazers’ Secondary Shines In a rare achievement for 2024, the UAB Blazers won the turnover battle decisively, 4-1.
Three of Rice’s turnovers occurred in the second quarter, including one fumble and two interceptions. The first interception was snagged by safety Tyjon Jones on a throw from EJ Warner that was a yard behind the intended receiver, leading to a UAB field goal that extended their lead to 20-14.
The Owls managed to drive down to the UAB two-yard line with mere seconds left in the first half. Instead of opting for a field goal to narrow the gap, Rice chose to go for a touchdown. Warner’s pass was intercepted by Blazer safety Adrian Maddox, who returned it 98 yards for a pick-six, putting UAB ahead 27-14 at halftime.
The Blazers’ secondary also made a crucial fourth-down stop in the red zone during the third quarter, effectively quashing any momentum the Owls tried to build for the remainder of the game.
Warner’s final stats included 28 completions on 49 attempts for 222 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Lee Beebe Jr. Powers UAB Offense
With 16 carries totaling 161 yards at an impressive 10.1 yards per carry, Lee Beebe Jr. had the most dominant performance of his young career, exceeding his previous best by 46 rushing yards.
The highlight came in the first quarter when he dashed 48 yards for a touchdown, putting UAB ahead 14-7.
In his seventh start since taking over for Jacob Zeno, Jalen Kitna had a day that was inconsistent but largely effective, completing 18 of 23 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and just one turnover—a fumble in the first quarter.
The Blazers finished the game with a total offense of 364 yards, marking a much-needed rebound after last week’s loss in Memphis.
Senior Day Victory Important for Class of ’25
In a challenging 3-8 season, there hasn’t been much for this senior class to celebrate moving forward.
A six-game losing streak, which included four blowouts and injuries to key players, has left UAB fans, and certainly the Blazers’ seniors, with a sense of disappointment.
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