UAB Holds Off Akron For Nonconference Win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jalen Kitna threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns and UAB held off a late Akron rally to earn a 31-28 victory Saturday night time at Protective Stadium.

Solomon Beebe opened the sport with a jolt for the Blazers, returning the opening kickoff 96 yards for a landing. Akron rapidly countered as Ben Finley hit Israel Polk on a 75-yard strike, certainly one of two first-quarter TD passes between the pair. Finley completed with 282 yards and two scores on 19-of-35 passing .

UAB steadied itself within the second quarter as Kitna discovered Amorie Morrison and Corri Milliner for landing passes, a part of a 17-point body that gave the Blazers a 31-20 halftime lead. Nate Rogers additionally added an 8-yard landing run .

The Zips chipped away within the fourth quarter, pulling inside three on Sean Patrick’s 1-yard scoring plunge with 12:38 left, however the Blazers’ protection clamped down from there, sacking Finley 5 occasions and holding Akron on downs on its closing two possessions .

Beebe proved to be UAB’s spark all through the night time, piling up 190 all-purpose yards, together with 154 on kick returns. Iverson Hooks led the receiving corps with 84 yards on 5 catches .

UAB (2-1) bounced again from its conference-opening loss, whereas Akron dropped to 0-3 regardless of outgaining the Blazers 441-422 in complete offense .