Beebe, Defense Leads UAB to 40-14 Victory Over Rice

Saturday, November 23

Birmingham, AL

1 p.m.

UAB

3-8 , 2-5

Rice

3-8 , 2-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rice

UAB

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

Beebe, Defense Leads UAB to 40-14 Victory Over Rice

11/23/2024 5:48:00 PM | Football

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BIRMINGHAM – A dominant defensive effort and a career day for running back Lee Beebe Jr. led the UAB football team to a decisive 40-14 victory over Rice on Senior Day at Protective Stadium.

Adrian Maddox's 99-yard interception return for a touchdown on the final play of the first half changed momentum for the game as the UAB defense shut out Rice in the second half and held the Owls to just 337 yards of total offense.

UAB had three interceptions overall as Tyjon Jones and Michael Moore also tallied a pick, while Moore (who only played the second half) had a team-high nine tackles. Along with his 99-yard touchdown, Maddox also forced a fumble, had two pass breakups and five tackles. As a team, UAB head a season-high 10 PBUs led by Colby Dempsey with three.

Beebe Jr. had a career-high 161 rushing yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns. It was his second 100-yard game of the season and the third of the sophomore's career.

Quarterback Jalen Kitna was very efficient in the win, completing 18-of-23 for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Kam Shanks (7-51) and Corri Milliner (6-90-1) were his top targets and in the process, Shanks set the UAB single season freshman receptions record. Shanks now has 58 catches this season which is tied for fourth most single season catches at UAB.

Lou Groza Award semifinalist Jonah Delange connected on both of his field goal attempts and all four of his PAT. His record setting season continues as Delange is now 21-of-22 on field goals and 28-of-28 on PAT this year.

Following a Rice touchdown on the Owls opening drive, UAB's first big play of the game came on a 90-yard kickoff return from true freshman Solomon Beebe, and a facemask at the end of the run set the Blazers up at the 5-yard line.

The very next play was a touchdown strike from Kitna to senior Malachi Holt-Bennett to even the game at 7-7.

UAB then surged ahead with a 48-yard rushing touchdown from Beebe Jr., who had 99 of his 161 rushing yards in the first quarter.

Rice tied the game with 3:05 left in the first at 14-14, but Delange made two field goals in the second quarter to give the Blazers a 20-14 lead.

With the Owls driving late in the second, Maddox made a game-changing play by intercepting E.J. Warner on the final play of the half and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to give the Blazers a 27-14 lead at the break. His 99-yard touchdown return was the second longest interception return in school history (100 yards by Grayson Cash in 2021).

That play completely flipped the game as UAB blanked Rice in the second half and held the Owls to just 144 second half yards.

The Blazers conclude the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 30 at Charlotte. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.