University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagle defense blanks UAB in 3-0 squeaker
9/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Golden Eagle defense blanks UAB in 3-0 squeaker
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? As the Southern Miss offense struggled to put points on the board, it was the defense and special teams that came up big as the Golden Eagles edged UAB, 3-0, in a Conference USA contest, Saturday, at M. M. Roberts Stadium.
The Southern Miss defense bent but did not break, while the special teams came up with two big plays to secure the victory for the Golden Eagles (3-0, 1-0 in C-USA).
?I have to credit to our defense for doing a good job,? Southern Miss Head Coach Jeff Bower said. ?Our special teams also came up with two big plays.?
The Blazers (2-2, 1-1) threatened early in the first quarter on their first drive of the game. UAB had a prime opportunity with a first-and-10 from the Golden Eagle 14-yard line. The Southern Miss defense made a stand over the next three plays, however, forcing the Blazers to attempt a 25-yard field goal. Rhett Gallego?s kick sailed wide right, and the Golden Eagles regained possession at its own 20.
Southern Miss got on the board in the second quarter as Brant Hanna connected on a 25-yard field goal. The field goal capped off a 16-play, 68-yard drive that took over seven minutes of time in the first and second quarters. That score proved to be all the points that the Golden Eagles would need.
UAB had a few more chances over the course of the game. The Blazers scored the apparent go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, but the score was called back due to an ineligible man downfield. Gallego attempted his second field goal of the game ? this one from 28 yards out, but Southern Miss? Rayshun Jones came up with the block, denying UAB for the second time in the game. Gallego had one more attempt in the fourth quarter, but fell short on the 49-yard try.
The Golden Eagles had its chances to add a scoring cushion as well. Hanna missed a 51-yard field goal in the second quarter. In the fourth frame on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Jeff Kelly fumbled on the exchange and UAB recovered.
?I was disappointed in our offense,? Bower said. ?We were not sharp at all. We weren?t making plays, and when we did make some plays, we would then just go backwards.?
While the offense had trouble converting on plays, the stifling UAB defense proved to be troublesome as well.
?That is an outstanding defense,? Bower said of the Blazers. ?We knew coming into the game how talented they were. They were really good.?
The offense did come up with a clutch first down in the closing seconds of the game, though, as Tim Blackwell rushed for 17 yards to the UAB 2-yard line, giving Southern Miss a chance to run out the clock with :16 remaining.
Blackwell led all players with 97 yards rushing on 24 carries. Kelly finished with 118 yards passing on 12-of-25 passing.
Jegil Dugger led UAB with 64 yards on 19 carries. Jeff Aaron completed 16 passes for 141 yards.
Rod Davis led Southern Miss with 10 total tackles, including seven unassisted. Greg Brooks and Etric Pruitt each had an interception.
