Blazers Fall to Charlotte in Overtime, 25-24

Saturday, October 21

Charlotte, N.C.

5:30 PM

UAB

4-3 , 2-2

Charlotte

1-7 , 1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UAB

Charlotte

Blazers Fall to Charlotte in Overtime, 25-24

10/21/2017 9:57:00 PM | Football

Box Score UAB vs. Charlotte Box Score 2017 Season Statistics Postgame Notes

CHARLOTTE – A successful two-point conversion pass from Chris Montgomery to Hassan Klugh on the final play of the game proved to be the difference as Charlotte defeated UAB 25-24 in overtime on Saturday at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

The 49ers scored the final 17 points in regulation to force the Blazers into its first overtime game since Aug. 13, 2013 against Troy.

A.J. Erdely continued to be the Blazers' offensive catalyst, scoring twice on the ground and throwing for one. The redshirt junior has now accounted for 17 touchdowns this season, with nine of his scores coming on the ground.

Wide receivers Andre Wilson and Ronnie Turner, Jr. both caught five passes for 45 yards and 39 yards, respectively. Freshman Spencer Brown led all UAB rushers in the game with 71 yards on 16 carries.

Turnovers were huge for the Blazers on the defensive side of the ball as Darious Williams and Chris Woolbright each picked off Klugh in critical situations in the first half. Williams' INT on the UAB 1-yard line halted a 49ers drive in the first quarter, while Woolbright's pick set up UAB's first score. The Blazers now have eight interceptions this season.

Will Dawkins and Tevin Crews led the defense with nine tackles apiece, while Broderick Thomas and Fitzgerald Mofor each added seven.

The Blazers finished the game with 344 total yards and were relatively even on the ground (162) and through the air (182). The 49ers finished the game with 376 total yards, 222 of which came in the rushing game.

The two teams found themselves in a defensive battle in the first quarter as both went for a combined 28 plays in what ended up being a scoreless opening stanza.

UAB (4-3, 2-2 C-USA) got on the board first following Woolbright's first career interception in the second quarter as Erdely connected with tight end Hayden Pittman for a 12-yard score. It was Pittman's first career touchdown grab.

Erdely added to the Blazers' lead with 2:20 to play in the half as he scampered in from three yards out to extend the Blazers lead to 14-0 which was the margin at halftime.

The Green and Gold wasted no time adding to its lead to begin the second half, marching 67 yards in 10 plays to set up a 25-yard Nick Vogel field goal to put UAB up 17-0.

Charlotte (1-7, 1-2 C-USA) scored its first points of the game at the 3:16 mark in the third quarter as Klugh rushed in from nine yards out to cut the UAB lead to 17-7.

The 49ers made it 17-14 with 10:34 remaining in the game as Klugh hit Trent Bostick for the 68-yard touchdown.

The home team tied the game up with 6:27 to play as Nigel Macauley connected on a 24-yard field goal to level the score at 17 apiece.

The score remained even at 17-17 at the end of regulation, forcing the two teams into an extra period. After Charlotte won the toss, the Blazers offense got to work, needing only six plays to take the lead at 24-17, capped by Erdely's second rushing score of the game.

Charlotte then used eight plays, including a big fourth down conversion, to take the ball into the end zone courtesy of a one yard rush from Klugh.

With the game on the line, the 49ers opted to go for the win and attempt a two-point conversion. Charlotte went with a trick play as wide receiver Chris Montgomery took a pitch and hit Klugh in the end zone to end the game.

UAB entered the game converting 45 percent on third down but was only 4-of-13 against the 49ers. Charlotte was also able to overcome 12 penalties for 135 yards in the win.

The Blazers close out their two-game road swing next Saturday, October 28 against Southern Miss with kickoff slated for 6 p.m.