Sun Belt Sports Fans

UAB 34, Troy 33

Sometimes the college football gods do answer prayers.  Just ask UAB junior quarterback Bryan Ellis and freshman wide receiver Jackie Williams.

The pitch-and-catch combo connected on the final play of the game, a 44-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass, to complete the Blazers’ 34-33 comeback victory over the Trojans.  Williams soared above several Troy defenders that were surrounding him to snare Ellis’s desperation heave, which capped a 99-yard touchdown drive.

UAB trailed Troy throughout most of the game until the final play.  Sparked by freshman quarterback Corey Richardson’s two touchdown passes, the Trojans took a 23-0 first quarter lead.  Richardson, who completed 26-of-44 passes for 404 yards passing and two touchdowns, also led Troy on a 14-play, 80-yard fourth-quarter drive that culminated in a one yard touchdown run by DuJuan Harris that put Troy up 33-20, and seemingly secured the win for the Trojans.

However, Ellis – who unloaded for 360 yards plus 3 touchdowns – and the UAB offense weren’t finished. The Blazers responded with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Ellis to Williams, closing the Blazers’ deficit to 33-27.  The Blazers’ defense didn’t exactly hold firm, as the Trojans did manage to possess the ball for over seven minutes in the quarter; however, the most important thing is that Troy didn’t tack on a field goal that would have given the visitors a two-possession lead and effectively ended the game. It was a source of hope that the Blazers merely got the ball back at all in a one-score game. Ellis and UAB had only 1:09 to go 99 yards, but they were indeed able to win with a touchdown if they could produce it.

By golly, they turned that trick in no time. At least, it sure seemed that way.

Incredibly enough, the Blazers did cover 99 yards in just over a minute, and coach Neil Calloway’s squad has the type of galvanizing win that can change the trajectory of a season.  Especially since Bryan Ellis seems to be a more capable replacement at quarterback for Joe Webb than David Isabelle ever was.

It’s amazing what can happen when you unexpectedly find the answer to your problems… the answer you didn’t initially come up with, the answer which fell into your lap.

It’s also amazing what can happen when you convert Hail Mary touchdown passes at the end of a game to come back from a 23-point deficit. If football had a guardian angel, it’s clear that such a divine presence is looking out for Mr. Neil Callway. He needed this game in the worst way, and after 59 minutes and 50 seconds of bleakness, the former Georgia offensive coordinator received the manna from heaven he had so consistently been pursuing.

We still don’t know if UAB’s season will turn around. Right now, it at least has a chance to do so.

Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer