Written by Merrissa Vault
Boca Raton, FL- It was a historical night in Boca Raton, Florida in the fifth edition of the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl between the Conference USA champions and the Mid-American Champions. This match displayed a picturesque setting with the Northern Illinois Huskies looking to avenge their Boca Raton Bowl loss in 2014, while the University of Alabama at Birmingham came out of extinction to not only win their conference but earn a bid to a bowl game. Today the nation witnessed UAB’s resilience once again with a 37-13 win over the NIU Huskies.
UAB Coach, Bill Clark knew his team was going to make history since the beginning of the season.
“We talked a lot about making history… We wanted to finish. I guess in our wildest dreams we would win the conference championship and cap it off with a bowl win…It really is that sweet.”
The blowout match was led by freshmen quarterback Tyler Johnston III who introduced himself to the city of Boca Raton when he found Xavier Ubosi for a 70-yard pass, 18 seconds into the game. Johnston kept packing on the heat as he and the Blazers found the end zone two more times to end the half 27-10. UAB’s top-ranked defense shone in FAU stadium holding NIU’s offense to a total of 132 yards and 2 sacks just in the first half. The Huskies starting quarterback, Marcus Childers, recorded a total of 119 yards and struggled to find the end zone until 30 seconds left in the 1st quarter when Tre Harrison rushed 1-yd through the gap to put the Huskies on the board. NIU continued to struggle with penalties and penetrating the wall of the Blazer’s defense but showed glimpses of hope throughout the match.
Those glimpses were not enough to trump the Blazers who absolutely dominated the second half. The UAB defense showcased why they are top 10 in the FBS in total ranked defense. Led by Mar’Sean Diggs, the Blazers recorded 5 sacks for a loss of 27 yards and 83 tackles. Multiple times the Huskies found themselves right outside the end zone but the Blazers protected every inch of yardage during the 60 minutes. Anthony Rush was named defensive MVP with 5 total tackles and 1 sack.
The green and gold’s offense also stunned the 22,614 fans in attendance as they continued to attack the Huskies the remainder of the night. Johnston threw for a Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl record with 373 passing yards (17-29) and 4 touchdowns. Tyler attributed his historical night to his offensive line and his wide receivers out on the flank.
“That offensive line, I couldn’t do it without them. They always told me they had my back and I didn’t go down once…X, we just really connected.”
Senior Xavier Ubosi also had a record breaking night setting a Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl record with 227 receiving yards (7 receptions), tying the Bowl record with 3 receiving touchdowns, and recording the 2nd longest reception in Bowl history with the opening 70-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Johnston III. With all those accolades it was no surprise that Ubosi was unanimously named Offensive MVP of the Bowl.
Ubosi attributed his victory to the hard work his teammates put in all year and the mindset established by Coach Clark.
The UAB Blazers will end the year the Conference USA champions and the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl champions. Coach Clark and the Blazer football program are on a mission to stay on this historical path and continue to build upon the future of this program.
