Nov. 3, 2010
Blazer fans,
A two-point conversion...in the second overtime...for a second straight win over Southern Miss. And for the fourth time this season, a UAB game was decided on the final snap. This team may only be 3-5, but the Blazers are far from boring!
Saturday's win over Southern Miss had a little bit of everything...offense, a goal-line stand, fourth-down conversions, turnovers, gutsy calls...but the best part about it was the final snap. The two-point conversion was a fantastic roll of the dice by Neil Callaway, and the UAB offense came through with the game's final "big play."
The Blazers deserved the win over Southern Miss, and they got it, despite some uncharacteristic turnovers by Bryan Ellis and a defense that started out a little thin and wound up even thinner by the time it was all over. The Green and Gold didn't trail until the second overtime...a wonderful stat to be able to throw out when you're the visitor (and when you WIN in the second overtime)...and now it's time to put that thrilling victory to good use.
With the final third of the season fast approaching, the Blazers still have a shot at the post-season. A three-game home stand is a great way to start the final month of the season, and this Saturday gets it going. It's Homecoming on the Southside...the alumni will be coming back to town...the Thundering Herd will be rolling in, as well, for the Saturday afternoon showdown at Legion Field. There are plenty of activities going on to keep everyone entertained, including some pre-season basketball on Friday night at Bartow Arena. But football is our main focus. The Green and Gold haven't had much luck against Marshall. A win on Saturday would be just the second in school history...the other came two years ago in Birmingham...by two points. And a win would give UAB a two-game winning streak here in 2010. If you are a Blazer fan heading to a casino this week, stop by the roulette wheel and put a dollar down on "2" for me.
It won't be easy against the Herd, 2-6 on the year, naturally, and Marshall is looking for a winning streak of its own after knocking off UTEP last Saturday. Doc Holliday is in his first year in Huntington, and while the record isn't what he would've liked, anyone who watched the West Virginia game early in the season knows Marshall is more than capable of coming to Birmingham on Saturday and spoiling Homecoming. Care to guess how many sacks the Herd offensive line has allowed this season through eight games? That would be two...seriously.
UAB will need to play at a high level for 60 minutes on Saturday to send the alumni home happy and start the three-game home stand on the right note. The weather is supposed to be absolutely ideal for football on Saturday...temperature in the 50s with a nice breeze. Come enjoy the festivities and help the Green and Gold to a Homecoming win over the Thundering Herd.
But don't wait for Saturday to get in on the fun. The Bonfire will be Thursday night at 7 PM across from the Hill Center...and then there's basketball on Friday night. The UAB men will play West Alabama in the only exhibition game of the pre-season, and tickets are available for only one dollar. You can order them online right here at www.uabsports.com or pick them up at any local Full Moon BBQ location. There will be free food (while it lasts) and live entertainment from "17th Floor" before the game starts.
It should be a great weekend, and I hope you're making your plans to be everywhere! We'll see you Saturday for UAB and Marshall...enjoy the rest of your Homecoming week...and GO BLAZERS!!!
DC
