Blazers rout FAU Owls

Kendra Woodruff, Staff Writer
Published On: 11/10/2009

The Blazer football team showed up and showed out as they defeated Florida Atlantic University 56-29, Saturday at Legion Field.

It was Blazer homecoming, and the spirit of the week’s festivities must have sparked a victorious spirit in the Blazers.
In front of more than 1,500 fans, beating Florida Atlantic gives the Blazers back-to-back victories in a single season, a first for Neil Callaway heading this program. The high spirits of the Blazers put them 4-5 on the season.

Senior quarterback Joe Webb gave Blazer fans a treat since he was 14-of-19 on the day and threw four touchdowns. He still managed to contribute to his rushing stats as he had 15 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

Blazer fans didn’t have to wait long for the Blazers to jump on the scoreboard. Webb took advantage of an Owl pick-up on defense as he ran past defenders for a 65-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, Webb connected with tight end Jeffery Anderson for a 36-yard touchdown pass. This have the Blazers a 14-0 lead over the Owls.

FAU started the second quarter with a score, but the Blazers followed quickly behind with a drive that ended in a 2-yard touchdown run from Webb. The Blazers seemed to pull away as Webb connected with Daniel Bourne for a 22-yard touchdown pass, putting the Blazers over the Owls 28-7.

FAU wasn’t about to let the Blazers shut them out after their quarterback, Jeff Vancamp, ran in a touchdown to make in a 2-poessession game with a little over two minutes in the half.

At this point, Blazer fans were ecstatic. Cheers echoed through the stands, and the band bellowed our beloved fight song. The spirit of “finally a decent season” loomed over the crowd.

However, their spirits seemed to heighten even more as Rashard Slaughter had 31-yard rushing touchdown with less than two minutes left in the half. But the Owls went into the locker room still down only two possessions with the score 35-21.

As the homecoming court was being announced during halftime, the Blazer football team must have been rearing up to seal the victory.

Bourne had his second touchdown run of the night a little less than three minutes into the half. UAB had another 24-yard touchdown pass at about the six and a half minute mark has Webb hooked up with wide receiver Frantrell Forrest.

By the end of the third, the team and the fans started to celebrate another homecoming victory.

The fourth quarter was just icing on the sweet Blazer birthday cake, as the Blazers’ last score came when Webb hit Forrest again within the first ten seconds of the quarter.

FAU did manage to score again, but the game ended with the Blazers up by 27.

Webb and the rest of the team celebrated victory as they poured that ice cold Gatorade all over Coach Callaway’s back.

There was no better way to end the homecoming festivities that marked our 40 years of excellence than an excellent football match-up on a nice Saturday afternoon.
 

Email: kmwoodr1@uab.edu