UAB blanks UTEP, 19-0, handing the Miners their 20th straight loss
The UTEP Miners struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball in a 19-0 loss at home Saturday night against UAB.
The Miners have now lost 20 consecutive games dating back to last season – extending the nation’s longest active losing streak.
UTEP, which has suffered numerous injuries on the offensive line this season, was unable to generate any sort of rushing attack against the Blazers. In the end the Miners were held to just 19 yards on the ground on 28 carries.
The Miners fell behind, 10-0, in the first quarter after a Spencer Brown 15-yard rushing touchdown and a field goal.
The Blazers would attempt to tack on three more in the second quarter, but UTEP’s Denzel Chukwukelu managed to block the attempt to keep the score at 10-0.
The Miners would lose quarterback Kai Locksley later in the second quarter after he was hit on a quick pass to Quardraiz Wadley. UAB was called for roughing the passer, and Locksley stayed down on the field for a moment. He would eventually limp off with the help of others after re-injuring his ankle – an injury that had kept him sidelined in recent weeks.
Brandon Jones, who played admirably the previous week at Louisiana Tech, came in for Locksley and nearly threw a touchdown pass right away. However, his pass to Terry Juniel in the end zone was just out-of-reach, and UTEP found themselves down 10-0 at the break.
The Miners would make a big defensive stand on the goal line on UAB’s first possession of the second half, denying the Blazers on fourth down from about a yard out. But UTEP’s fortunes changed immediately after that.
The UTEP offense surrendered a safety on the next play, boosting UAB’s lead to 12-0. Wadley lost the ball, and Jones then had to fall on it in his own end zone to prevent even more damage.
UAB quarterback Tyler Johnston added a late rushing touchdown in the fourth to put the Blazers up 19-0 and cement the victory.
UTEP fell to 0-8 overall and 0-4 in Conference USA play, while UAB improved to 7-1 and 5-0 in league action.
The Miners will play Rice on the road next week.
