The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Middle Tennessee
UAB Defeats Middle Tennessee With Hard-Nosed Defense, 14-9
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 21, 2000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Jeff Aaron and T.J. Simmons connected on key passes on each of UAB's scoring drives as the Blazers beat Middle Tennessee 14-9 on Saturday.
UAB (5-2) led 14-0 at halftime and dominated the first half statistically. But Middle Tennessee (3-4) used a trick play to help close the gap before UAB's defense stiffened in the fourth quarter.
UAB's first points came early in the second quarter when Aaron threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Anderson. A 16-yard pass from Aaron to Simmons on a third-and-9 play helped keep the drive alive.
A 1-yard touchdown run by Percy Coleman gave UAB a 14-0 nothing lead. A 40-yard pass from Aaron to Simmons helped set up the touchdown.
UAB had 239 total yards in the first half, while holding Middle Tennessee's high-powered offense to 60 yards.
But the Blue Raiders made it close in the second half. A 29-yard field goal by Brian Kelly made the score 14-3 with 2:09 left in the third quarter.
On Middle Tennessee's next possession, quarterback Wes Counts threw a lateral to wide receiver Hansford Johnson, who threw back to Counts for a 16-yard touchdown.
A pass on a 2-point conversion attempt was incomplete, leaving UAB ahead 14-9.
UAB, which entered the game ranked No. 5 in the nation in total defense held off Middle Tennessee in the fourth quarter.
Aaron, making his second straight start at quarterback for UAB, completed 17 of 28 passes for 153 yards. Jegil Dugger led the Blazers with 102 yards rushing. Simmons, who started the season playing defense, had no catches going into the game. But he finished with three catches for 61 yards.
Tyrone Calico and Dwone Hicks had four catches apiece for Middle Tennessee.
