As the final seconds of the game ticked away, Dylan Hopkins seemed to complete a 40-yard touchdown pass to give the Blazers the lead. A holding penalty, however, would call back the pass as Rice (3-4, 2-1) upsets UAB (5-3, 3-1) 30-24 on homecoming[WCJ1]
UAB quarterback Dylan Hopkins threw 19-31 for 318 yards with one touchdown and one interception. With the loss, he moves to 6-4 as a starter. Hopkins now has 14 career touchdown passes, good for tenth in program history.
Gerrit Prince had a career-long 72-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter of the game. It was his seventh touchdown of the season, which ties him for eighth in program history in a single season.
The UAB defense recovered two fumbles from Rice. The defense has now recorded a takeaway in seven straight games this season.
Rice quarterback Wiley Green threw 17-22 for 205 yards with a career-high three touchdowns.
On Rice’s first drive, the Owls converted on fourth down thanks to a roughing the kicker penalty from UAB. The Owls picked up their first score on that drive with a Jordan Myers one-yard rushing touchdown. After a turnover on the UAB’s first drive, Rice scored again on to take an early 13-0 lead with a missed extra point.
The Blazers scored on their next drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown by DeWayne McBride. The UAB defense recovered a fumble and McBride scored another rushing touchdown for 26-yards taking the 14-13 with just under two minutes left in the first quarter.
UAB missed a chance to extend their lead in the second half when kicker Matt Quinn missed a 33-yard field goal. Rice retook the lead with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Green to August Pitre III to end the first half 20-14.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the third quarter. Rice faked a punt on fourth down and Jaeger Bull gained 30-yards. He would later catch a two-yard touchdown pass. The Blazers responded with a 72-yard touchdown pass from Hopkins to Prince closing the gap 27-21 to end the third quarter.
UAB linebacker Noah Wilder was ejected for targeting on Rice’s first drive in the fourth quarter. The penalty gave the Owls the opportunity and yardage to score a 27-yard field goal to extend their lead. UAB responded with a 16-yard field goal from Quinn.
With 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Hopkins threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Trae Shropshire, but the play was called back because of a holding penalty on UAB. UAB’s last second Hail Mary was unsuccessful, and Rice would win 30-24.
Next week is a bye week for the UAB. The Blazers will return to action against Louisiana Tech (2-4, 1-1) on Nov. 6 at Protective Stadium.
