UAB Football Post-Game Notes

Oct. 21, 2000

UAB is 5-2 for the first time since becoming an NCAA Division I-A team...the last time UAB was 5-2 was during the 1993 season when the Blazers were competing at the I-AA level.

UAB quarterback Jeff Aaron is now 2-0 as a starter....Aaron was 17-28 for 153 yards and a touchdown vs. Middle Tennessee....he is now 39-69 (.565) for 396 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions (no turnovers of any kind) this season...Aaron had more passing yards in the first quarter (114) than he had in his first two games as a Blazer (99), and had 135 in the first half.

Aaron's connected with running back Bernard Anderson for a three-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to give UAB a 7-0 lead...it was Anderson's third touchdown of the 2000 season (and his UAB career) -- his first receiving touchdown.

Anderson may be one of the most efficient offensive players in the nation, he plays in the Blazers' short yardage and goal line packages, and has four carries this season -- for two touchdowns...he also has one pass reception for the year -- also for a touchdown.

The UAB defense held a very strong Middle Tennessee offense that came into the game averaging over 430 yards per game to only 211 yards on the day....MTSU running back Dwone Hicks, who came into the game ranked sixth in the nation in rushing, averaging over 140 yards per game, managed only 14 net yards on eight carries (he was averaging over 20 per game).

Placekicker Rhett Gallego had his first miss on a field goal attempt of the 2000 season, on what would have been a career-long 49-yarder in the third quarter....it was Gallego's first miss since the season-opener at Missouri last season (9/4/99)....he is now 11-12 this season and 18-20 for his UAB career (1998- ).

Sophomore receiver T.J. Simmons had a big day on the offensive side, while seeing his first significant playing time since converting from defensive back...Simmons had 61 yards on three receptions, including a 40-yarder from Aaron -- all in the first half.

UAB is now 0-7 on the coin toss this season... in each case, the opponent has deferred the option to the second half, and the Blazers have received the opening kickoff.

After four straight home games, UAB goes on the road for three of its last four contests...the Blazers travel to East Carolina next week (kickoff 1:00 pm CDT)... the game will be televised live in Birmingham on WABM-TV 68.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

UAB Football Post-Game Notes

Related News

Related Videos