Tyler Johnston, depleted roster, power UAB to 21-16 win over Rice
Updated Dec 12, 2020;
Posted Dec 12, 2020
Trea Shropshire celebrates a 54-yard reception during UAB s 21-16 win over Rice, Saturday, Dec. 12, at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. (UAB Athletics)
Facebook Share
No games played in more than a month? A slow start that snowballed into a second-half masterpiece.
Only 42 scholarship payers available, due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing, and the top receiver leaving the team before the end of the season? Dip into a deep running back pool and watch a walk-on receiver reel in a 42-yard touchdown catch for his first career reception to take an 8-point lead midway through the third quarter.
UAB defeats Rice, 21-16, to win third-straight C-USA West division title
Blazers earn the victory in their first game in 42 days thanks to Tyler Johnston’s strong afternoon.
Share this story
UAB’s revival under Bill Clark took another impressive leap in Houston on Saturday.
Uncertainty lurked in the atmosphere surrounding a Blazers team taking the field for the first time since October. But UAB overcame a halftime deficit to dispatch Rice 21-16. The Blazers clinched their third consecutive C-USA West division title, and have become an annual staple in the conference championship. UAB (5-3, 3-1 C-USA) ousted UTSA (7-4, 5-2 C-USA) in the division race due to winning percentage and will face Marshall in Huntington, WV next Friday.