Mullen Era Games vs. UAB

Oct 5, 2013; Birmingham, AL, USA; UAB Blazers running back Jordan Howard (7) is grabbed from behind by Florida Atlantic Owls linebacker Adarius Glanton (4) at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

There are games every year you go into expecting a big win. Most of the time you get that big win, but in the Mullen era there’s been at least one game that hasn’t gone as expected. They’ve all turned out to be victories, and against UAB Mullen is 2-0, but in both of those games (or at least 1.5) we’ve been nervous about walking away on top.

2010

Just a week after beating #22 Florida, MSU welcomed UAB to Starkville for Homecoming. At 5-2 and a new #24 ranking, the Bulldogs were looking for bowl-eligibility for the first time since 2007. It didn’t come as easily as everyone had hoped.

State was never able to shake UAB. At no point did we lead by more than a touchdown, and in the 4th quarter is was less than seven points the entire time including the Blazers taking a one point lead half way through.

LaDarius Perkins held his own rushing for 131 yards while Chris Relf struggled to get things going…only throwing for 107. Vick Ballard was out with an injury.

UAB took a 24-23 lead in the 4th quarter but State marched down the field to kick a field goal and regain the lead. After a defensive stop we added another field goal which were the final points, the game ended in a 29-24 score.

The crazy thing about this game is UAB was the one committing turnovers – three to none by MSU. The final turnover proved the most costly.  The Blazers fumbled the kickoff after the Dawgs’ FG and we were able to run the clock out for the win. Had they not done that their offense would have had the ball with a touchdown standing between them and victory.

2011

This was one of the worst first halves of football we’ve seen in the Mullen era. The Dawgs were infuriating, unable to score against one of the worst defenses in all of college football.

It was 3-0 UAB at the half at a half empty Legion Field. Something had to change and it did when Tyler Russell was brought in to relieve the struggling Chris Relf.

Russell moved the ball 48 yards on his first drive in he 3rd quarter, but on the next three drives he lead MSU to touchdowns and the Bulldogs cruised to victory. Russell ended the day 11 of 13 for 166 yards and 3 TD.

The defense kept UAB out of the endzone all day and MSU won 21-3.