BlazerSportsReport.com - Blazers Win Shootout 38-33

October 31, 2009

Jack Williams
BlazerSportsReport.com Publisher

The UAB defense bent, it probably even cracked in a couple of places - but it didn't break Saturday afternoon as the Blazers endured a strong push at the end and left El Paso with a 38-33 win over UTEP. Joe Webb turned in another brilliant performance that included a 53 yard touchdown run, two touchdown passes and a 14 yard touchdown reception.

On paper the defense looks bad - giving up 585 yards to the Niners - but when they needed a play - they got a play. Marquis Coleman made the first big play of the game for the Blazers when he stepped in front of a Trevor Vittatoe pass and didn't stop until he crossed the goal line 99 yards away. Coleman's interception with less than four minutes to play set the stage for the Blazers, who never trailed during the game and ended the first quarter up 7-0.

The second quarter was an offensive explosion - for both teams. UTEP started the action with a 27 yard field goal from Logan Barrett to cut the lead to 7-3. Webb and the Blazers answered swiftly with Webb engineering a 65 yard, three play drive that he capped off with a 53 yard run to push the UAB lead to 14-3.

Elliott McGaskin provided the next big play for the defense when he picked of another Vittatoe pass at the UAB 15 and raced 44 yards to the UAB side of the field. Three plays later Webb connected with Rodell Carter for a 34 yard score and a 21-3 Blazer lead.

UTEP got their offense on track with a 68 yard drive that didn't end until the Niner's Donald Buckram had rambled 26 yards for UTEP's first touchdown of the day, cutting the UAB lead to 11.

UAB's offense just wouldn't quit. The Blazer's responded with an 80 yard drive, highlighted by a 38 yard pass from Webb to Mark Ferrell and scored when back-up quarterback David Isabelle entered the game as a wide receiver and took a reverse and found Webb in the end zone for 14 yard score to extend the lead to 28-10 with just 39 seconds remaining in the first half.

UAB's defense crumbled in the final 39 seconds of the half and gave up a score that could have, ultimately, cost them the game. UTEP marched 60 yards on five plays - the final play a 30 yard hook and ladder play to Buckham on the final play of the first half. The score brought the Niners back to within 11, 28-17 at the half.

Neither team could produce points in their first possessions in the second half - but UAB did draw first blood when kicker Josh Zahn hit on a 42 yard field goal to extend the UAB lead to 14 mid-way through the third quarter. UTEP answered with a 23 yard Barrett field goal with less than a minute to play in the third quarter. The final quarter arrived with UAB hanging onto an 11 point lead 31-20.

UAB's offense answered once again. This time it was an 11 play 80 yard drive that ended when Webb found wide receiver Mario Wright open in the end zone for a six yard score pushing UAB to its largest lead of the day, 38-20.

UTEP fumbled the ensuing kick-off and the Blazer's Ugonna Amarikawa pounced on it on the Niner's 25 giving UAB a chance to put the game away. Webb led the Blazers to the three - but tight end Jeffery Anderson bobbled a pass in the end zone on third down and the Zahn's 20 yard field goal attempt was partially blocked and UTEP had new life.

The Blazer defense held and UAB took over on downs following UTEP's next possession - but the Blazers went three and out and punted to put the ball in the Niner's hands once again - with about five minutes to play.

Vittatoe made quick work of it completing four of five passes and leading UTEP in a 73 yard scoring drive. Vittatoe ended the drive with a 19 yard scoring pass to Evan Davis. UTEP's two point conversion attempt failed.

Frantrell Forrest and the "hands team" came up with the UTEP on side kick at the Niner's 40 yard line - but four plays could only net two yards and UTEP took over on their own 38 with just over a minute to play.

Five plays and two Blazer penalties later Buckram carried the ball into the end zone cutting the UAB lead to five, 38-33.

Once again the "hand team" came up big on the onside kick attempt. This time Mike Jones covered the ball on the UTEP 38. Webb took a knee twice and UAB had escaped with a huge win, their first on the road for the 2009 season.

Webb was spectacular, racking up 304 yards in total offense. He had 167 yards rushing, on 20 carries and he passed for 125 yards going 8-15 and had two touchdown passes to go along with his 14 yard reception for a score. Daniel Borne added 42 yards rushing and had a 20 yard reception on the day, his most productive as a Blazer. Rashaud Slaughter carried the ball four times for 24 yards. Ferrell had two receptions for 53 yards and Carter also had two receptions covering 36 yards.

Vittatoe and Buckram led the Niner's offensively. Vittatoe completed 23 of 44 passes for 397 yards and two scores. His two interceptions were killers though and UTEP could never overcome the damage they did. Buckram carried the ball 23 times for 164 yards, he found pay dirt on three occasions. Jeff Moturi was one of 11 Niners to catch a pass - but he was by far Vittatoe's favorite receiver on the day grabbing seven passes for 161 yards.

For the third consecutive game the Blazers did not turn the ball over. Penalties were still a problem, the Blazers were flagged eight times for 111 yards. UTEP had an almost 10 minute advantage in time of possession, including holding the ball for over 22 minutes in the first half.

UAB returns home with its bowl chances still alive. The Blazers will host Florida Atlantic next Saturday for Homecoming. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

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