With four takeaways, including a record setting 100-yard pick six, the Blazers defense turned a three-point lead late in the second quarter into a 31-14 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls.
UAB safety Grayson Cash returned a 100-yard interception for a touchdown right before half-time to give the Blazers a 10-point lead. It marks the longest interception returned for a touchdown in program and conference history.
“Cash’s interception will be a memorable play in the history of UAB and its first home win at the stadium.” said head coach Bill Clark. “I’m very proud of both sides of the ball and thought it was a total team effort all-around against a good FAU team.”
Dylan Hopkins, now 5-3 as a starter for UAB, threw for 173 passing yards with two touchdown passes. He also added 32 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown. Jermaine Brown Jr. and DeWayne McBride both recorded 52 rushing yards for the Blazers.
Trae Shropshire led in receiving yards for UAB as he caught three passes for 43-yards with a touchdown. Senior tight end Hayden Pittman continues to extend his reception streak to 31 games, the seventh longest streak in the program’s history.
UAB’s defense had an electrifying game, recording eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss and tying a season-high with four takeaways (three interceptions, one fumble recovery). Linebacker Alex Wright led the charge with seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
UAB opened their first drive of the game with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hopkins to Samario Rudolph. After an interception on Florida Atlantic’s first drive, the Blazers scored again with a touchdown pass from Hopkins to Shropshire for 15-yards. Late in the first quarter, FAU quarterback N’Kosi Perry scored a touchdown on a one-yard run.
FAU scored first in the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown pass from Perry to LaJohntay Wester tying the game 14-14. UAB kicker Matt Quinn tied his career-long field goal with a 48-yard FG extending the lead 17-14 for UAB. With 30 seconds left in half, Perry was picked off in their end zone by Cash letting him set the longest return interception in UAB’s history and ending the first half 24-14.
Hopkins would add a rushing touchdown with 2:50 remaining in the third quarter for the only points of the second half.
The Blazers are now 2-0 in C-USA this season, tying them with UTSA and UTEP for first in the West division.
UAB hit the road to face off against conference rival Southern Miss (1-5) on Saturday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on Stadium.
