The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
2-1 , 1-0
North Texas
1-2 , 0-1
Big First Half Leads UAB Football Past North Texas, 40-6
9/18/2021 10:47:00 PM | Football
Junior quarterback Dylan Hopkins had a career night, going 6-of-7 and tallying career highs in passing yards (202) and touchdowns (three). His top target was Gerrit Prince who had three receptions for a career-best 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Will Boler (nine tackles) and Kristopher Moll (seven tackles) led the defense who allowed just 220 total yards and compiled three sacks, seven TFL, two pass breakups and an interception.
The win now improves UAB to 19-3 against Conference USA West Division opponents since returning to action in 2017.
UAB turned defense into offense as Keondre Swoopes picked off Jace Ruder on North Texas' first offensive play of the game and returned it to the UNT 13 yard line. DeWayne McBride handled the rest as it took him two carries to find the end zone and gave the Blazers a 7-0 lead.
Following a 23-yard field goal by Matt Quinn, Hopkins found Prince on a 42-yard touchdown to extend UAB's lead to 17-0, which was the score after the first quarter.
Hopkins and Prince connected again on the first play of the second quarter as Prince took a short pass and turned it into a 61-yard touchdown with an impressive run after catch. Hopkins' third touchdown pass of the half came on a 38-yard strike to Trea Shropshire with 1:04 left as UAB led 30-0 at halftime.
Hopkins was 3-for-3 for 141 yards and three touchdowns in the half, while Prince had two catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
The Blazers added a 30-yard field goal from Quinn in the third quarter and a Larry Wooden 1-yard rush in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring. For Wooden, it was his first career touchdown as a Blazer.
UAB dominated from start to finish and ultimately outgained North Texas 402-220. The Blazers had 234 passing yards and 168 rushing yards.
The Blazers head to New Orleans next Saturday night for a non-conference game at Tulane. Kick is set for 7 p.m. CST on ESPN+.
Team Stats
UAB 7, UNT 0
UAB - McBride,DeWayne 1 yd run (Quinn,Matt kick), 2 plays, 13 yards, TOP 00:29
UAB 10, UNT 0
UAB - Quinn,Matt 23 yd field goal 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 03:56
UAB 17, UNT 0
UAB - Prince,Gerrit 42 yd pass from Hopkins,Dylan (Quinn,Matt kick) 2 plays, 39 yards, TOP 00:45
UAB 24, UNT 0
UAB - Prince,Gerrit 61 yd pass from Hopkins,Dylan (Quinn,Matt kick) 2 plays, 61 yards, TOP 00:36
UAB 30, UNT 0
UAB - Shropshire,Trea 38 yd pass from Hopkins,Dylan () 5 plays, 53 yards, TOP 00:48
UAB 33, UNT 0
UAB - Quinn,Matt 30 yd field goal 15 plays, 86 yards, TOP 08:17
UAB 33, UNT 6
UNT - Brown,Detraveon 3 yd pass from Ruder,Jace () 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:43
UAB 40, UNT 6
UAB - Wooden,Larry 1 yd run (Quinn,Matt kick), 12 plays, 66 yards, TOP 07:27
