BlazerSportsReport.com - UAB Falls to Tulsa, 49-42

September 29, 2012

Larry Powell
BlazerSportsReport.com Senior Writer

LEGION FIELD -- UAB scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to tie the game, but gave up a late touchdown to Tulsa to lose its fourth game of the season. A chance to mount a last-minute drive to tie the game ended with a sack and a fumble that sealed the 49-42 win for Tulsa.

The game started strong for the Blazers. The first play from scrimmage made a difference - a 75-yard touchdown pass from Austin Brown to Jamarcus Nelson. The extra point gave UAB a 7-0 lead with only 10 seconds gone in the game.

UAB stopped Tulsa on three-and-out on their first possession, but then the mistakes started. First, the Blazers got called for a block in the back on the punt return. Then QB Brown fumbled the ball on the next play and Tulsa recovered at the UAB 16. Tulsa took two plays to score a touchdown and tie the game. Alex Singleton ran the ball in for the score from three yards out with 13 minutes left in the first quarter.

That didn't slow down the Blazers, though. They marched 75 yards on five plays to take a 14-7 lead. Patrick Hearn scored the touchdown on a five-yard pass from Brown, but the score was set up by a 39-yard pass to the two-yard line to Nick Adams.

Tulsa responded with a 10-play, 57-yard drive that was capped with a one-yard plunge by Singleton to tie the game 14-all.

UAB's drive stalled, but Tulsa didn't. They marched 80 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with a 21-yard pass to Willie Smith with 1:49 remaining in the first quarter.

UAB couldn't respond, going three-and-out, but Tulsa couldn't move either. UAB blocked the ensuing Tulsa punt and recovered it at the four. Three plays later Darrin Reaves ran it in from the one-yard line to tie the game with 13:24 remaining in the half.

Tulsa took less than three-minutes to respond, marching 75 yards on 8 plays to a score. Keyarris Garrett caught the 11-yard touchdown pass to cap the dirve.

Tulsa added to their lead on the next play, with quarterback Cody Green running through a slew of UAB would-be tacklers for the score and a 35-21 Tulsa lead.

Tulsa seemed to be marching for another score on their next possession, but Lamar Johnson intercepted Green's pass at the three and returned it to the UAB 16. UAB couldn't move the ball, and Tulsa could. Still, their final drive of the half stalled and they settled for a field goal attempt that was no good. Still, Tulsa took a 35-21 lead into the halftime.

UAB started strong in the second half. First, they stopped Tulsa on three-and-out. Then they took the ball 74 yards to cut the score to 35-28.

UAB stopped Tulsa on downs to get the ball back at its own 29, but the Blazers couldn't move the ball. This time, Tulsa didn't stumble. Trey Watts capped a 71-yard drive with a 10-yard run for the score and a 42-28 Tulsa lead.

Tulsa started another march, but that ended with a fumble that UAB recovered at the 49. Four plays later, Brown hit Jackie Brown on a 35-yard pas to the Tulsa two. That set up a two-yard plunge by Darrin Reaves to cut the score to 42-35 with 11:12 remaining in the game.

The Blazers tied the game less than two minutes later when Brown hit Jamarcus Nelson with a 50-yard touchdown pass with 9:26 remaining in the game.

UAB got the ball back quickly, but could do nothing with it. A ten-yard penalty was followed by an interception that gave Tulsa the ball at the UAB 31. Singleton scored the touchdown six plays later on a six-yard run that gave Tulsa a 49-42 lead.

UAB tried to mount a late drive, including successfully going for it on fourth-and-long. That ended when Brown was sacked and fumbled at the UAB 30. Tulsa took the ball and ran out the clock.

Austin Brown, starting his first game at quarterback for UAB, hit 20 of 30 passes for 337 yards and three touchdown. Darrin Reaves added three touchdowns on the ground, rushing for a team-high 61 yards, to lead the UAB rushing attack.

Tulsa quarterback Cody Green hit 23-of-39 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 47 yards.

Marvin Burdette led the UAB offense with 13 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery.

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