GGSM{UAB}

Again, shame on me for waiting so long into the season to update the Shame Mask!  I woke up this morning and saw a shocker:  UAB was up 6-0 over Ohio State--yes, The Ohio State--in the second quarter.  They scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, but then their PAT was blocked.  This would have to be the biggest upset in the history of the Shame Mask if it held.  Let's get caught up with the first part of UAB's season while they see if they can hang on.

September 1--Troy 39, GGSM{UAB} 29.  The Blazers outgained the Trojans 459-453, and UAB's quarterback Jonathan Perry was 18-33 for 317 yards and a touchdown, and his 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter cut the lead to 25-23. (They went for two but failed.)  However, on their next drive, Perry threw an interception that led to a Troy touchdown two plays later.  On the very next play, Perry was sacked, and his fumble led to another touchdown on the next play.

September 15--South Carolina 49, GGSM{UAB} 6.  UAB hung close in the first half.  They led most of the first quarter 3-0 until South Carolina got a 65-yard fumble return from D.J. Swearengen for a touchdown.  (A hit from from Swearengen later in the game would give him a one-game suspension.)   In the second quarter, UAB knocked South Carolina's QB Connor Shaw out of the game by reaggrevating his injured scapula, but when backup Dylan Thompson came in, the Gamecock offense started to click, and they never looked back. 

Now back to today's game.  UAB got a field goal early in the second quarter to extend their lead to 9-0.  The Buckeyes scored a touchdown, but UAB counted with another field goal to lead 12-7.  However, Ohio State's two-minute drill quickly turned the game around.  Braxton Miller passed for 63 yards and then ran the ball 12 yards for a touchdown with 1:50 left in the half.  Two plays later, UAB fumbled, and Ohio State's ensuing touchdown extended their lead to 21-12.  UAB did not fade away, though.  A 16-play, 80-yard drive led to a field goal to start the fourth quarter and cut the lead to 21-15, and then after a defensive stop, they got in position for another field goal, but this one was missed.  Ohio State scored a touchdown with a two-point conversion after that to send UAB to a 29-15 defeat, but I would say there's no shame in that.

Next up:  Tulsa.

OSM{Tulane}

The 2012 Tulane season has had a terrible start.  They opened with a 24-12 home loss to Rutgers, but I will not dwell on this game because in the following week's game, a 45-10 loss at Tulsa, senior safety Devon Walker suffered a broken neck in a helmet-to-helmet collision with a teammate while trying to make a tackle.  His family has requested that details of his condition not be released to the media, but as he was taken off the field in an ambulance, he was not seen to be moving.   Our thoughts and prayers are with Walker and his family and teammates.

After a bye week, Tulane hosted Ole Miss on September 22 and lost 39-0.