Brown’s Record Setting Night Leads UAB Past Southern Miss, 30-12

Saturday, October 28

Hattiesburg, Miss.

6 p.m.

UAB

5-3 , 3-2

Southern Miss

5-3 , 3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UAB

Southern Miss

Brown’s Record Setting Night Leads UAB Past Southern Miss, 30-12

10/28/2017 11:07:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF) Season Statistics UAB Postgame Notes

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Freshman Spencer Brown used a 209-yard performance on the ground and broke Jordan Howard's single season freshman rushing record to lead UAB past Southern Miss 30-12 at M.M. Roberts Stadium on Saturday night.

Brown's 209 yards were the seventh most in school history and just the eighth time ever a UAB running back has eclipsed the 200-yard mark in a single game. His total yardage and 33 attempts are both career highs, while he recorded his seventh rushing touchdown of the season.

Brown needed just eight games to break Howard's freshman rushing record of 881 yards set back in 2013. The Birmingham native now has 909 rushing yards this season and is averaging 113.6 yards per game.

UAB (5-3, 3-2 C-USA) has now outscored the Golden Eagles 75-36 in its last two meetings and has won six of the last seven games against Southern Miss.

The Blazers' defense played a huge role in the victory, shutting out Southern Miss (5-3, 3-2 C-USA) in the second half and only allowing the Golden Eagles to gain just 128 yards in the final 30 minutes. The 12 points allowed in the game were the fewest points scored by Southern Miss in a Conference USA game this season.

Senior Tevin Crews had a team-high nine tackles, the fourth time he has led the defense in tackles this season. Broderick Thomas and Shaq Jones each recorded seven tackles apiece to help lead the defensive efforts.

Cornerback Darious Williams recorded UAB's ninth interception of the season at the end of the game with a pick-six to seal the victory for the Blazers. Williams has had an interception in each of the last three games.

As a unit, the defense held the league's third-best rusher Ito Smith to just 36 yards on 12 attempts.

On the offensive side of the ball, A.J. Erdely added his 10th rushing touchdown, which is the second most rushing touchdowns by a UAB quarterback in school history. Erdely also finished the game 16-of-29 for 208 yards and one touchdown, moving his combined touchdown total up to 19.

Wideout Andre Wilson led all UAB receivers with five catches for 49 yards, while Collin Lisa and Kailon Carter each tallied three catches apiece.

Overall, the Blazers gained a total of 417 yards on a balanced air (208) and ground (209) attacks in the win.

Southern Miss (5-3, 3-2 C-USA) scored the game's first points on the opening play of the contest as Keon Howard hit Ito Smith on an 84-yard pass. The PAT was then blocked by Shaq Jones to hold the lead at 6-0.

Not backing down after the early setback, UAB's offense marched the ball 79 yards in 10 plays to set up Brown's seventh rushing touchdown of the season and give the Blazers a 7-6 lead.

The Golden Eagles took a 12-7 lead into halftime after USM placekicker Parker Shaunfield connected on field goals of 25 yards and 31 yards, respectively.

UAB regained the lead at the 11:01 mark of the third quarter as Erdely scored his 10^th rushing touchdown of the season from one-yard out to give the Blazers a 13-12 lead.

The lead was extended to 20-12 in the fourth quarter as Erdely floated a beautiful ball to Hayden Pittman on third down from 25 yards out as Hayden went up and made a spectacular catch. Brown used a 50-yard scamper on the drive to set up the score.

UAB Placekicker Nick Vogel gave the Blazers' some breathing room in the fourth quarter as he connected on a 43-yard field goal to push to the Blazers' lead to 23-12 with 6:29 to play in the game.

UAB closed out the game in fine fashion as Williams took a Howard interception 41 yards to the house with 35 seconds to play to seal the 30-12 victory.

The Blazers return home on Nov. 4 as the Green and Gold hosts Rice at 2 p.m at historic Legion Field. The contest against Rice is UAB's Penn Mutual Salute to Service game in which the Blazers will honor service men and women who help to protect our freedom.