The Memphis Tigers improved to 11-2 on the season and took home the AAC Championship with a comeback win over rival UAB this evening.
UAB came out hot, perfectly picking apart Memphis on their opening drive capped off with a touchdown. Memphis would be forced to punt on their opening drive and UAB got it rolling again and extended their lead to 14-0. The Tigers would settle in and scored 21 in the 2nd quarter including a 99 yard pick six. Memphis used the momentum from that interception and would end up winning the game 35-14 giving Coach MGR his first Conference Championship. The Tigers will now wait to see how the CFP views them and determine if they deserve a spot in the playoff.
Huge win for City said Coach MGR afterwards. We have been close several times and finally broke through tonight. This has been a fun season regardless of what the committee decides, we accomplished all our goals and beat our rival twice.
Coach MGR also did not comment about the reports that he will be seeking another Coaching job once the season ends
This was the moment Blazer fans were waiting for, a chance at revenge against rival Memphis Tigers to win their first AAC Championship in the NDL. Things could not have gotten off to a better start for the UAB offense, scoring on their first two times with the ball with long drives that drained the clock in the first quarter. Memphis however was quick to answer back with two touchdowns of their own. On the Blazers following possession after driving down the field, Jacob Zeno went for his trusty long ball that had worked all year, despite the one on one coverage, the Tiger ended up with the ball and brought it all the way back 99 yards for a touchdown with around two minutes up in the half. This really hurt the momentum UAB had, but as Jacob Zeno has done all year, he rebounded taking the UAB offense all the way inside the Memphis 10 yard line with 12 seconds to go in the half. Inexplicably he tossed it to another defender to end the half. In the second half, there was much of the same, every time the offense began to shift the momentum, a mistake by Zeno or a dropped pass by one of the Blazers pass catchers ruined their chance at any sort of comeback. The Blazer defense couldn't do much to help the offense either, although limiting the explosive plays, the ultimately couldn't stop Tigers running back Mario Anderson, and quarterback Seth Henigan, in his limited role, was on point. It is a disappointing end to a Blazers season that was filled with so much success. Although they still have a bowl game to play for, it was obvious to all players and fans that this is the game the Blazers wanted, and they just couldn't pull it out.
When asked about his future as Blazers Head Coach, coachjackb said, "You know its an emotional night, our players have worked so hard to get to this point. We've had to find our identity this year, and become a team that can compete with teams like Memphis. Congratulations to Memphis and Coach MGR, you outplayed us today and are a well deserving champion! I hope the playoff committee is able to see what you could bring to the table, because man, you can compete with anyone. As far as my future with the Blazer, we have one game left and I'm focused on that and growing as a coach in this league so I can compete with coaches like MGR and maybe win one eventually. I've grown connected with this team, and I feel like I've really built an identity and culture with how we play at the University of Alabama Birmingham. That being said, I will be entering the draft after this season to find a team that better compliments my skills as a coach."
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
JustGiver31 and 15 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
HOME
Discord