The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Southern Miss
UAB Blows Past Southern Miss, Earns Bowl Eligibility
11/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 1 
| Photo Gallery 2 | Final Stats (PDF) | Postgame Notes
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Jordan Howard set a school record with 262 yards rushing and J.J. Nelson returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the fourth time this season as UAB beat Southern Miss 45-24 to earn bowl eligibility Saturday.
The Blazers (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA) became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2004 by amassing 371 yards on the ground, with Howard logging his eighth 100-yard game of the season. The impressive regular season finale capped off what has been a remarkable turnaround for UAB under the direction of first-year head coach Bill Clark.
Just a year ago, the Blazers wrapped up their 2013 season with a 2-10 record losing their final game, 62-27, to Southern Miss.
The Blazers' Nelson, who leads the country in kickoff return average, brought back his fourth kick for a touchdown this season with a 99-yard return in the third quarter. He leads the NCAA in kickoff return average at 38.3.
Howard turned in his highest rushing total of his career, setting a UAB single-game record with his 262 yards. He shattered the mark of 240 yards previously held by Carl Sanders against Charleston Southern in 1996.
Howard also became the Blazers' all-time single-season rushing leader as he finished the regular season with 1,587 yards. He broke the mark of 1,427 that had been held by quarterback Joe Webb (2009).
Cody Clements threw for 176 yards and three touchdowns on passes to Tristan Henderson, Nelson and Josh Magee as the Blazers took a 21-7 halftime lead.
The Golden Eagles' lone first-half points came on a 100-yard kickoff return by Michael Thomas.
The Blazers added other second-half scores on Howard's 1-yard run, D.J. Vinson's 12-yard run and Ty Long's 34-yard field goal, while Southern Miss answered with Jalen Richard's 60-yard run, Nick Mullen's 3-yard pass to Richard, and Corey Acosta's 45-yard field goal.
UAB's defense tallied seven sacks led by two each from Shaq Jones and Diaheem Watkins. Jimmy Jean finished with a team-leading nine tackles while Desman Carter added eight. Watkins also finished with a forced fumble and Alonzo McGee had a fumble recovery.
