Bahamas Bowl: UAB 24, Miami (OH) 20

UAB simply wanted its protection to make a cease with the aim line on their again as Miami (OH) large receiver Jalen Walker was on his option to the tip zone eyeing a last-second, game-winning landing. The Blazers wrapped up Walker and introduced him to the bottom on the 2-yard line, sealing a 24-20 win in an epic version of the Bahamas Bowl. 

It was a win for UAB that got here with blended feelings as interim coach Bryant Vincent, who took over the crew following Invoice Clark’s retirement in July, went out a winner in his final recreation main the crew. In the meantime, over on the sideline, there was Trent Dilfer, UAB’s subsequent head coach, taking within the efficiency and rooting on the crew that he’ll inherit as this system turns the web page from 2022 to 2023. 

UAB was additionally with out its star working again, DeWayne McBride, after the NCAA’s main rusher and Convention USA Offensive Participant of the 12 months introduced shortly earlier than the sport that he wouldn’t be taking part in. Early on there was no signal that McBride’s absence would play a task within the eventual end result, as backup working again Jermaine Brown was greater than able to being productive with a heavier workload and the Blazers jumped out to a 10-0 lead. However Miami put collectively a powerful landing drive proper earlier than halftime to chop that lead 10-6 and provides the RedHawks some momentum heading into the locker room. It was the primary of two landing passes from Miami quarterback Aveon Smith with each scores approaching spectacular catches. 

UAB errors almost handed the sport away within the second half because the Blazers each fumbled a punt late within the third quarter to arrange a one-play landing drive for Miami after which misplaced a fumble with six minutes left within the fourth quarter with the Blazers trailing 20-17. However the Blazers protection, prefer it did on the ultimate play, stood tall and compelled a discipline aim try after that fumble to offer UAB’s offense another likelihood for a game-tying or go-ahead rating. Brown was the star of the drive and the star of the sport, scoring his second landing of the day and rounding out a 24-carry, 116-yard efficiency. 

Needing a TD to win, Miami’s remaining drive was hectic. There have been 12 performs, a number of penalties and two fourth-down conversions by the RedHawks. However in the end it was that remaining sort out that allowed UAB to carry on for the win, giving the Blazers a victory in the identical bowl recreation the place they first made an look in 2017 on the finish of this system’s first season again on the sphere after this system was shut-down. 

It’s a becoming finish to an incredible period of UAB soccer because the Blazers flip the web page from the Invoice Clark period to the Trent Dilfer period and from being in Convention USA to leaping as much as the American Athletic Convention. The final 5 years have included a number of bowl bids, two convention championships and three convention title recreation appearances. Now it is as much as Dilfer and the remainder of this UAB crew to attempt to match these ends in the AAC, and one of the best information for the Blazers comes from the battle they confirmed within the Bahamas Bowl and what it says concerning the present state of this crew.