The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
The Return’s Top 10 - No. 1: The Return
12/13/2017 10:36:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The wait was exactly 1,007 days between games, but the lead up and anticipation to Sept. 2, 2017 culminated into one of the most memorable moments in college football history.
In the two-and-a-half-year gap, Birmingham helped UAB raise $45 million, a new state-of-the-art practice facility was built, an unprecedented wave of support from across the country flooded the city and Coach Clark pieced together a roster of players who only practiced just to be a part of history.
The 38-7 victory over Alabama A&M was icing on the cake, but the entire day represented more than just a game. Sept. 2, 2017 will go down as the most significant day in UAB football history as it commenced what turned out to be the greatest comeback college football has ever seen.
UAB was the talk of college football that day. Sam Hunt played a free concert the night before, a crowd of 45,212 helped set a new UAB attendance record and the fans witnessed the start the most improbable and unforeseen season UAB has ever had.
The Blazers will be playing in just their second-ever bowl game in nine days. Clark guided the team to a program record for FBS and Conference USA wins (8-4 overall, 6-2 C-USA).
Clark was the first UAB coach named C-USA Coach of the Year. Spencer Brown was the first UAB player named C-USA Freshman of the Year. Darious Williams went from walk-on to First Team All-American. The Blazers had 11 All-Conference USA selections. Clark and the Blazers have been nominated for no less than six national awards.
The wait was worth it and the comeback was truly stronger than the setback.
UAB caps off its storybook season vs. Ohio University (8-4) in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 22, at 11:30 a.m. CST on ESPN.
The Countdown:
No 10: House Party with Sam Hunt
No. 9: A.J. Erdely sets Conference USA record
No. 8: UAB sets a program record with eight FBS wins
No. 7: Blazers defeat Rice to become bowl eligible
No. 6: UAB goes 6-0 at home
No. 5: Brown's 209-yard Performance at Southern Miss
No. 4: UAB accepts bid to Bahamas Bowl
No. 3: Blazers lead C-USA in Attendance
No. 2: Children's Harbor/Blocked Kick vs. Louisiana Tech
In the two-and-a-half-year gap, Birmingham helped UAB raise $45 million, a new state-of-the-art practice facility was built, an unprecedented wave of support from across the country flooded the city and Coach Clark pieced together a roster of players who only practiced just to be a part of history.
The 38-7 victory over Alabama A&M was icing on the cake, but the entire day represented more than just a game. Sept. 2, 2017 will go down as the most significant day in UAB football history as it commenced what turned out to be the greatest comeback college football has ever seen.
UAB was the talk of college football that day. Sam Hunt played a free concert the night before, a crowd of 45,212 helped set a new UAB attendance record and the fans witnessed the start the most improbable and unforeseen season UAB has ever had.
The Blazers will be playing in just their second-ever bowl game in nine days. Clark guided the team to a program record for FBS and Conference USA wins (8-4 overall, 6-2 C-USA).
Clark was the first UAB coach named C-USA Coach of the Year. Spencer Brown was the first UAB player named C-USA Freshman of the Year. Darious Williams went from walk-on to First Team All-American. The Blazers had 11 All-Conference USA selections. Clark and the Blazers have been nominated for no less than six national awards.
The wait was worth it and the comeback was truly stronger than the setback.
UAB caps off its storybook season vs. Ohio University (8-4) in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 22, at 11:30 a.m. CST on ESPN.
The Countdown:
No 10: House Party with Sam Hunt
No. 9: A.J. Erdely sets Conference USA record
No. 8: UAB sets a program record with eight FBS wins
No. 7: Blazers defeat Rice to become bowl eligible
No. 6: UAB goes 6-0 at home
No. 5: Brown's 209-yard Performance at Southern Miss
No. 4: UAB accepts bid to Bahamas Bowl
No. 3: Blazers lead C-USA in Attendance
No. 2: Children's Harbor/Blocked Kick vs. Louisiana Tech
Players Mentioned
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