'So Close' Cardinals to meet UAB 2.0
The Ball State Cardinals did plenty of things right, as a stat sheet will attest, but BSU nonetheless came up on the short in a 24-21 loss at Illinois last Saturday.
While the Cardinals will be on home turf in Week Two, they will be challenged by an Alabama-Birmingham team that flexed some talent in a 38-7 romp over Alabama A&M last week.
The seven points was . . .
While the Cardinals will be on home turf in Week Two, they will be challenged by an Alabama-Birmingham team that flexed some talent in a 38-7 romp over Alabama A&M last week.
The seven points was . . .
. . . the fewest allowed by a UAB team since 2012. Ball State, meanwhile, had its own share of shining moments on the defensive side. Defensive end Anthony Winbush registered 4.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks.
This Is the first meeting between the two teams. For UAB, the game is the Blazers second outing since reinstating football. In Nov. of 2014, the school announced it would be shuttering the football program. Less than a month later, a decision was made to reinstate the program, but a number of players were already transferring. That, and other possible issues, led to a decision to begin play again in 2017.
Here’s more on the matchup . . .
This Is the first meeting between the two teams. For UAB, the game is the Blazers second outing since reinstating football. In Nov. of 2014, the school announced it would be shuttering the football program. Less than a month later, a decision was made to reinstate the program, but a number of players were already transferring. That, and other possible issues, led to a decision to begin play again in 2017.
Here’s more on the matchup . . .
UAB (Alabama Birmingham) at Ball State
Saturday, Sept. 9, 3 p.m. ET
Scheuman Stadium; Muncie, IND
ESPN 3
WEATHER
Saturday, Sept. 9, 3 p.m. ET
Scheuman Stadium; Muncie, IND
ESPN 3
WEATHER
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA – BIRMINGHAM (1-0)
● UAB is a member of Conference USA. In its last season before temporarily dropping the program (2014), the Blazers finished 6-6 (4-4 C-USA) with the help of a bowl win before the plug was pulled.
● After holding a; 10-7 halftime lead, UAB scored 28 straight points to defeat FCS member Alabama A&M last week.
● A.J. Erdely completed 11 of 20 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
● Eight Blazers registered receptions, but only one had more than two catches. Collin Lisa owned three receptions for 43 yards, and UAB totaled 165 yards with two scores through the air.
● UAB embraced the ground game, rushing the football 59 times for 252 yards. The ground attack provided two touchdowns. Carlos Stephens and James Noble III combined for 28 carries and 150 yards. Spencer Brown averaged 6.0 ypc, gaining 42 yards on seven trips.
● Sophomore Skylor Clinton had a big day for the defense, registering 11 tackles (7 solo) and a sack.
● Anthony Rush turned his third quarter interception into points with a 27-yard return to help break the game open.
● UAB is a member of Conference USA. In its last season before temporarily dropping the program (2014), the Blazers finished 6-6 (4-4 C-USA) with the help of a bowl win before the plug was pulled.
● After holding a; 10-7 halftime lead, UAB scored 28 straight points to defeat FCS member Alabama A&M last week.
● A.J. Erdely completed 11 of 20 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
● Eight Blazers registered receptions, but only one had more than two catches. Collin Lisa owned three receptions for 43 yards, and UAB totaled 165 yards with two scores through the air.
● UAB embraced the ground game, rushing the football 59 times for 252 yards. The ground attack provided two touchdowns. Carlos Stephens and James Noble III combined for 28 carries and 150 yards. Spencer Brown averaged 6.0 ypc, gaining 42 yards on seven trips.
● Sophomore Skylor Clinton had a big day for the defense, registering 11 tackles (7 solo) and a sack.
● Anthony Rush turned his third quarter interception into points with a 27-yard return to help break the game open.
BALL STATE CARDINALS (0-1)
● Two third quarter touchdowns put BSU in front, 21-16, and the Cardinals held that margin until an Illinois TD (and two-point conversion) with 2:05 left. Ball State drove back down the field and was forced to try a 54-yard field goal with five seconds left. That kick was blocked by the Illini, preserving their victory.
● Ball State had a relatively balanced attack, getting 171 yards out of the ground game and 204 yards through the air.
● Junior QB Riley Neal completed 21 of 34 passes for 204 yards, with one TD and one interception.
● Another Riley, this one a Miller, led BSU receivers with seven catches for 86 yards. Freshman Nolan Givan counted a touchdown among his three receptions for 22 yards.
Nine Cardinals had at least one catch.
● Junior running back James Gilbert carried 19 times for 74 yards with one TD. Malik Dunner also scored on a third quarter 3-yard run.
● Jacob White led BSU defenders with nine stops (five solo).
● Freshman Bryce Cosby registered an interception in his first action.
● Two third quarter touchdowns put BSU in front, 21-16, and the Cardinals held that margin until an Illinois TD (and two-point conversion) with 2:05 left. Ball State drove back down the field and was forced to try a 54-yard field goal with five seconds left. That kick was blocked by the Illini, preserving their victory.
● Ball State had a relatively balanced attack, getting 171 yards out of the ground game and 204 yards through the air.
● Junior QB Riley Neal completed 21 of 34 passes for 204 yards, with one TD and one interception.
● Another Riley, this one a Miller, led BSU receivers with seven catches for 86 yards. Freshman Nolan Givan counted a touchdown among his three receptions for 22 yards.
Nine Cardinals had at least one catch.
● Junior running back James Gilbert carried 19 times for 74 yards with one TD. Malik Dunner also scored on a third quarter 3-yard run.
● Jacob White led BSU defenders with nine stops (five solo).
● Freshman Bryce Cosby registered an interception in his first action.
RSS Feed