The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tulane
Blazers Top Green Wave, 41-24
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2008
Final Stats
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Final Stats
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Junior quarterback Joe Webb ran for 130 yards and three touchdowns to lead UAB to a 41-24 win over Conference USA foe Tulane on Saturday afternoon at the Louisiana Superdome.
Webb, who completed 15-of-21 passes for 154 yards, scored on runs of 31, three and one yard for the Blazers (3-7, 2-4 C-USA). Senior cornerback Kevin Sanders had two interceptions on the day for UAB.
The victory was UAB's first C-USA win on the road since defeating UTEP, 35-23, in November of 2005.
The win was especially sweet for the Blazers who dropped their last outing two weeks ago at Southern Mississippi by a 70-14 score, a memory that has been at the forefront of their preparation since then.
"I think that all phases of our team responded," said head coach Neil Callaway. "You look at every phase, offense, defense and the kicking game, they all made some plays today.
"Offensively, we had one turnover and had a couple drops, but the backs ran well, we threw the ball well. Our defense made some plays. Obviously, the four interceptions were huge. On special teams, they ran the fake punt and we stopped it. We did a good job covering kicks. We had some good returns."
J.T. McDonald accounted for three touchdowns, scoring on a three and 13 yard run and caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Moore for Tulane (2-8, 1-5 C-USA).
UAB, which led by three points at halftime, extended its lead to 24-14 on Webb's three-yard touchdown run with 9:14 left in the third quarter. The score was set up by Sanders' interception and 34-yard return to the Tulane six yard line.
The Green Wave got within 24-21 on McDonald's 13-yard touchdown run with 6:47 left in the third quarter.
The Blazers increased the lead to 31-21 when Webb ran one yard for a touchdown with 1:44 left in the third quarter.
Tulane reduced the lead to 31-24 when Ross Thevenot kicked a 50-yard field goal with 12:10 left in the game.
On UAB's next possession, RB Rashaud Slaughter fumbled at the Blazer 45 and the ball was recovered by Tulane. But perhaps on the key possession of the game, the Green Wave was able to advance the ball only one yard on three plays before they tried a fake punt. But UAB was ready for it and Thevenot was stopped after a two-yard gain.
"I thought our guys stayed focused and kept competing today," said Callaway. "They knew we had to keep making some plays through the game. If we stay focused and compete every play, we've got a chance to win ballgames."
But Swayze Waters' 29-yard field goal increased UAB's lead to 34-24 with 5:28 left, and Matt Taylor intercepted a Moore pass and ran 36 yards for a touchdown to complete the scoring with 3:34 left.
UAB took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when Webb ran 31 yards for a touchdown. Tulane tied the score on the next possession when McDonald ran three yards for a touchdown.
The Blazers took a 14-7 lead when Slaughter ran one yard for a touchdown with 9:09 remaining in the second quarter.
The Green Wave tied the score on Moore's 27-yard touchdown pass to McDonald with 6:07 left in the second quarter.
UAB took a 17-14 halftime lead on Waters' 41-yard field goal with 4:05 left in the second quarter.
The Blazers will play their final home game of the season next Saturday when they play host to East Carolina at Legion Field. Gametime is set for 6:00 p.m. and the contest will be televised regionally by CSS.
