FAU’s offense was its saving grace Saturday against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. The Owls scored on seven of nine drives and defeated the Blazers 49-34.
FAU got the scoring started on its first drive with a passing touchdown from an unusual source. Cortez Gent took the ball on a reverse and threw a 33-yard pass to Chris Bonner.æ
The Owls put up another touchdown, this time from Rusty Smith to Lester Jean on a 5-yard pass and took an early 14-0 lead.
The FAU defense held UAB to three points in the first quarter but was out of sorts in the second quarter, allowing the Blazers to score two passing touchdowns.
The defense looked lost at times and was very fortunate that a few big plays were thwarted by UAB miscues. UAB quarterback Joe Webb missed a few wide-open receivers throughout the game, which ended up costing the Blazers in the long run.
FAU running back Charles Pierre put an exclamation point on the game with a career long 73-yard touchdown run in the final minute.
First Quarter:æFAUæ14,æUABæ3FAU kick returner Jeff Blanchard took the opening kickoff 30 yards to the FAU 40-yard line, giving them excellent field position. Seven plays later, the Owls scored on a 33-yard reverse pass from Cortez Gent to Chris Bonner.
After forcing the Blazers to punt, the Owls put together an eight-play, 62-yard drive that ended with Rusty Smith finding Lester Jean on a 5-yard touchdown pass.
UAB countered on a 10-play, 62-yard drive which resulted in a Swayze Waters 27-yard field goal.
Second Quarter: FAU 28, UAB 17Charles Pierre scored on a 5-yard touchdown run just seconds into the second quarter giving the Owls a 21-3 lead.
UAB came back with 14 unanswered points after a pair of Joe Webb passing touchdowns. He connected with Zach Lankford on a 20-yard pass and Frantrell Forrest for a 19-yard touchdown. Sandwiched in between those two scores was a Warley Leroy 34-yard field goal miss.
FAU added on to its lead near the end of the half with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Gent, giving the Owls and 28-17 lead going into the half.
Third Quarter: FAU 35, UAB 26UAB received the second half kick and drove 74 yards, resulting in an Aaron Johns 2-yard touchdown run. UAB opted to go for two and failed on the conversion.
FAU answered right back with a passing strike from Smith to Jean again,this time for a 30-yard touchdown. UAB then cut back into the Owl lead with a 43-yard field goal by Waters.
Fourth Quarter: FAU 49, UAB 34FAU opened up the fourth quarter on its third straight scoring drive with a DiIvory Edgecomb 6-yard run.
UAB scored again on a Justin Brooks run. The Blazers then completed the two point conversion to pull within eight points.æ
FAU punted for the first time, giving UAB a chance to complete the comeback with 4:37 left in the game.
UAB drove deep into FAU territory but was unable to convert on fourth down, giving the Owls the ball back. Pierre then ran for a 73-yard touchdown to end the scoring and seal the victory.
