WKU vs. UAB
Univversity of Alabama-Brimingham quarterback Cody Clements (5) is sacked by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive lineman Bryan Shorter (94) during the Hilltoppers' 42-39 loss in an NCAA footbal game to UAB on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky. (AP Photo/The Daily News, Austin Anthony)
(Austin Anthony/Daily News)
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Nobody representing UAB's at Monday's weekly football press conference even attempted to downplay the significance of the Blazers' 42-39 win at Western Kentucky this past Saturday.
Sure, first-year UAB coach Bill Clark talked about not letting his team's highs get it too high and lows get it down and player said their focus is now squarely on North Texas (2-3,0-1) their next opponent. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field.
But what transpired at Houchen Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky. two days ago was definitely significant and potentially monumental for a program that hasn't experienced a winning season in a decade.
"We came to together and really just never quit even though we had some opportunities to maybe duck our heads a little bit and really get down," UAB coach Bill Clark said. "I think this is exactly what we said conference would be like. This is what it's going to be like there are going to be ups and sown in a game."
The Blazers (3-2, 1-1) created a little buzz around the campus and the city, with blowout victories against Troy and Alabama A&M as well as a solid showing on the road against now third-ranked Mississippi State in their the first three games. However, they seemed to be up to more of the same after a 34-20 loss at home to FIU in Week 5 to fall into an 0-1 hole in the Conference USA East standings.
UAB fell behind 13 with 6:30 to play in the second against the Hilltoppers, who came into the contest ranked No. 4 in the nation in total offense along with Alabama. But the Blazers bounced back, retaking the lead, once, on a 5-yard run from quarterback Cody Clements with 8:16 to go in the third to make the score 28-27, and for all, on a 15-yard run by Jordan Howard with 12:17 to play.
The offense redeemed itself after throwing four interceptions, two of which were returned for scores against FIU. The Blazers gained 600 yards off offense, including 291 on the ground highlighted by Howard's 183 and two touchdowns on a career-high 34 carries.
"That's who we want to be," Clements said. "The team that's going to fight a full 60 minutes, give that kind of effort throughout the whole game. It was most definitely I'd say a signature win. That's who we want to be and that's how we want to play."
Defensively, the came up with stops when they needed to, shutting the Hilltoppers out in the fourth quarter on their way to the victory.
It was the moment when believing became knowing.
"It was huge just for confidence," Clark said. "Just the mentality of our guys to say, 'OK. We are doing the right thing. We are heading into the right direction. Keep believing. Keep fighting. Sometimes, you just need to see it."