UConn Uses Fourth Quarter Comeback to Beat UAB

Saturday, November 9

Protective Stadium

1:30 p.m. CT

UAB

2-7 , 1-4

UConn

7-3 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UConn

UAB

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

UConn Uses Fourth Quarter Comeback to Beat UAB

11/9/2024 6:34:00 PM | Football

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BIRMINGHAM – UConn outscored UAB 21-0 in the fourth quarter to secure a 31-23 comeback victory on Saturday afternoon at Protective Stadium.

UAB (2-7) had three second half turnovers as the Huskies (7-3) stormed back from a 17 point deficit.

Lee Beebe Jr. tallied his first 100-yard rushing game of the season for the Blazers with 115 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Kitna threw for 233 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Amare Thomas hauled in six catches for 88 yards and in the process became just the eighth player in program history to eclipse 100 career receptions.

Everett Roussaw Jr. led the defense with nine tackles, and Demond Little tallied three TFL including two sacks.

The two teams traded field goals in the first quarter, but the Blazers then outscored the Huskies 17-0 in the second for a 20-3 lead at halftime.

UAB's defense was the catalyst as two big turnovers gave the Blazers momentum in the second. The first was a forced fumble by Adrian Maddox which Everett Roussaw Jr. recovered on the final play of the first quarter.

Tyjon Jones then tallied his first interception of the season with 11 minutes remaining in the half and that turned directly into seven points as Corri Milliner hauled in his first career touchdown on a 38-yard reception for a 13-3 lead with 7:02 left.

UAB's defense continued to stand tall, forcing the Huskies to punt on back-to-back possessions, which allowed UAB to score a touchdown with :20 remaining on a 25-yard rush from Lee Beebe Jr., for the 20-3 lead. Beebe Jr. rushed for 107 yards in the first half.

UConn received the second half kickoff and marched the ball 75 yards in seven minutes and capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush from Durell Robinson to cut UAB's lead in half at 20-10.

In the ensuing drive, the Blazers would march down the field in eight plays, only for the drive to stall as Jonah Delange netted his third field goal of the day to add to the Blazer lead. Delange was 3-of-3 on field goals today (20, 36, 32) and is now 18-of-19 on the season.

After both teams put up empty possessions to start the 4th quarter, UConn went on an eight play, 58 yard drive in just 1:14 to put the Huskies within six.

UAB's first play on the next drive was a fumble recovered by UConn at the UAB 21. Two plays later, UConn's Joe Fagnano found Jasaiah Gathings to put the Huskies ahead for the first time, 24-23.

Both teams traded three-and-outs on their next drives. With 5:02 left to play, Jalen Kitna threw a complete pass to Lee Beebe Jr., but UConn's Jevon Banks forced a fumble recovered by the Huskies at the UConn 41.

The Huskies' next drive took only three plays as Cam Edwards dashed 48 yards on third down for another UConn touchdown.

After UAB turned it over on downs, UConn took three plays and lined up for a 36 yard field goal to try to ice the game. The 36-yard field goal attempt was wide left, giving the Blazers another chance down by eight.

The Blazers picked up two first downs on their final drive, but came up short after a turnover on downs at the UConn 34.

UAB travels to Memphis (8-2) next Saturday, November 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN2 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.