Game of the Week Recap: Louisville Pulls Out a Close One, UAB Keeps Bowl Hopes Alive
Syracuse at Louisville
A combination of tough defense, offensive mistakes and a fumbled extra point lead Louisville to their first conference victory of the season. By the end of the first half, neither team had made their way to the scoreboard going into the break tied at 0-0.
Both teams added a field goal in the third quarter making the score 3-3.
Then, after pinning Louisville deep in their own territory, Syracuse opened the fourth quarter on the Louisville 30. Four more plays and they were in the end zone. However, The Orange fumbled the snap on the extra point attemptleaving an open door for Louisville.
Louisville responded quickly with what appeared to be a 94 yard touchdown return. Looking over his shoulder, Trent Guy picked up the ball at his own six, turned it up field and ran it all the way home. Unfortunately for the Cards, instant replay showed that Guy’s knee hit the ground as he caught the ball bringing it back to the Louisville six.
With only 3:33 left on the clock, Guy got another chance returning a Syracuse punt to the Syracuse 44 yard line. Five plays later, Louisville was in the end zone and made the extra point putting the Cardinals up by one (10-9).
But the game wasn’t over yet. On the kickoff, Syracuse’s Michael Jones returned the ball 40 yards to the Syracuse 46. Two more plays and the Orange were on the Louisville 46 looking at a long field goal. Then, on second down with 1:24 remaining, Louisville’s Andrew Robinson scooped up a tipped pass which the on field refs ruled incomplete. Slow motion replay though showed that Robinson managed to get his hands under the ball, pulling it upwards to his chest before hitting the ground. The call was overturned giving Louisville the ball and a close victory.
UAB at Memphis
After three long years, UAB won the “Battle for the Bones” walking away with the much coveted bronzed rack of ribs trophy. While Memphis was able to hold UAB quarterback Joe Webb to a season low 52 yards on the ground, they couldn’t stop him in the air as Web went 18-25 for a total of 378 yards (a career high) and three touchdowns.
UAB went on a 24 point tear which started early in the second quarter. While Web got the job done in the air, the UAB defense took advantage of some big opportunities to keep the Tigers at bay. This included stripping the ball from Memphis’ Carlos Singleton at the UAB three preventing a touchdown and creating an important turnover.
While it was a disappointing outcome for Memphis Coach Tommy West in his last home game (West was released from the program last week), UAB kept their bowl hopes alive. They need one more win to become bowl eligible but it won’t be easy. They finish out the season against East Carolina who leads Conference USA East division and UCF who just upset No. 15 Houston.
Related posts:
- Predict and Win Games of the Week: UAB at Memphis, Syracuse at Louisville
- Game of the Week Wrap: Rutgers Wins a Close One, SMU in the Bowl Hunt
- Game of the Week Recap: Houston Avoids a Close Call, Pittsburgh Extends to 8-1
- Predict the Score and Win: Tulsa at Southern Miss, Louisville at USF
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