Nov. 12, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Matt Prater kicked two field goals in the last five minutes to raise UCF to a 27-21 victory over UAB on Saturday.
UCF (7-3, 6-1 Conference USA) took advantage of four UAB turnovers in the fourth quarter.
UAB (4-5, 2-4) led 21-13 entering the fourth quarter, but on the third play, UCF's Travonti Johnson intercepted a Darrell Hackney pass and returned it 19 yards to the UAB 31.
Three plays later, Jason Peters ran 14 yards off tackle for a touchdown to bring UCF within two points. The Golden Knights went for a 2-point conversion and made it on a pass from Steven Moffett to Mike Walker, tying the game 21-21.
UAB drove to midfield on its next drive, but Hackney fumbled the snap in shotgun formation and UCF's Glenroy Watkins recovered at the Blazer's 41-yard line. UCF drove to the UAB 8, where the drive stalled. But Prater kicked a 25 yard field goal to give the Golden Knights a 24-21 lead with 5:31 left to play.
On the first play of UAB's next possession, Hackney completed a 15-yard pass over the middle to Chico Cleveland, but the tight end fumbled when he was hit. UCF's Ronnell Sandy recovered at the UAB 44. A personal foul penalty against UAB moved the ball to the 29. UCF couldn't move the ball and Prater's 48-yard field goal attempt missed, giving UAB another chance.
But a Hackney pass was intercepted by Joe Burnett, who returned it 27 yards to the UAB 22. Five runs by Kevin Smith took the ball to the UAB six. On fourth down, Prater kicked a 23-yard field goal to give UCF the 27-21 lead with 50 seconds remaining.
Peters rushed for 84 yards and Smith had 67 yards.
Moffett completed 15-of-24 passes for 183 yards for UCF, which posted 358 offensive yards. Walker had 71 yards on four carries.
Marculus Elliott, who tied the game 7-7 in the second half on a 22-yard run, rushed for 116 yards.
Hackney completed 20-of-39 passes for 240 yards for the Blazers, who finished with 430 yards of offense.