BIRMINGHAM, Ala. _  Despite three turnovers, two missed field goals and a quick five-day turnaround between games, the University of Central Arkansas Bears had a more than solid showing Saturday night in a 45-35 loss to the UAB Blazers before a crowd of 12,716 at historic Legion Field.

The Bears stormed back from a 28-7 deficit midway through the second quarter and made a game out of it against the FBS Blazers. But the Blazers, two-time Conference USA West Division champions, made enough plays to hold off the FCS Bears and win their 19th consecutive home game. The game was the season opener for UAB while the Bears were coming off a 24-17 win over Austin Peay in nearby Montgomery, Ala. just five days before. 

"We didn't talk about it much this week but the cards were stacked against us,' said UCA head coach Nathan Brown, who kept his Bears in Birmingham for the duration of the trip. "Having a Saturday-Thursday turnaround, we looked like a tired team out there. I think that's why we had so many guys go down. I think fatigue took over a little bit. We had to get our legs under us a little bit.

  "But gosh they fought. I told them just now in the locker room, that's what it's all about. And I think we made not only Bear Nation, but their families and everybody watching across the country over the last six, seven days, we made a lot of people proud.'

The Bears, who stumbled early for the second straight game, rebounded and made the most of two forced turnovers in the final 2:38 of the first half to cut a 28-7 deficit to just one score at halftime. Redshirt freshman Nick Nakwaasah recovered a fumbled punt at the UAB 10 and junior quarterback Breylin Smith connected with junior receiver Lujuan Winningham on the first play from 15 yards out for the touchdown. 

On UAB's ensuing possession, senior cornerback Robert Rochell wrestled the ball away from wide receiver Trea Shopshire on the Blazers' fourth play and went 35 yards for the touchdown to draw the Bears within 28-21 with 1:21 to play in the half.
 

UCA's other first-half score also came courtesy of a UAB miscue. UCA junior linebacker Malik Wilson picked off a pass by Tyler Johnson at the UAB 38 and returned it all the way down to the 4. Sophomore running back Cameron Myers went in from there to pull the Bears within 14-7 in the final minute of the first quarter.

"The play by Robert right before halftime, I thought that was a momentum-shifting play,' said Brown. "I couldn't be more pleased with him. He went down early with an ankle injury but he battled back and got back out there and played a good game after that. And obviously Malik's play was huge, too, an interception and almost got in the end zone. I thought our defense battled. That was a big back (Spencer Brown), he's a 3,000-plus yard rusher for his career. A consistent quarterback, big receivers, just a good offense.'

UCA was outgained 386-197 in total offense in the first half but the Bears turned the ball over just once, a fumble down in Blazers' territory in the second quarter that ended a solid offensive possession. For the game, the numbers were equally as lopsided, with UAB gaining 459 yards and UCA just 293.

"That defense was a Top 10 defense at the FBS level last year, and we knew they were going to be a tall task,' said Brown. "I thought it was a valiant effort. I thought the thing that probably hurt us the most was time of possession. That's a killer to us right now, just keeping our defense on the field too long. We just couldn't sustain enough third downs to keep drives going.'
 

The Blazers added a 23-yard field goal late in the third quarter before an overturned call led to another score. UCA forced a UAB punt with sophomore Tyler Hudson fielding the punt at the Bears' 31. He fumbled the catch after being hit by UAB's Kyle Harrell, who was called for targeting. However, after an official's review, the call was overturned and the Blazers took over at the 30 and scored four plays later to stretch the lead to 38-21 with 12:41 to play.

Following that score, UCA got to midfield but Smith was intercepted with 10:12 remaining. The Blazers pushed their lead to 45-21 with consecutive rushing touchdowns before UCA struck twice in the final 5:43. The Bears drove 65 yards in seven plays, capped by Smith's second touchdown toss to Winningham, this one an 8-yarder. Smith then connected with senior tight end Sam Camargo with just 32 seconds remaining to close the gap to 45-35.

Smith completed 25 of 46 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Winningham had six receptions for 53 yards and two scores. Senior Kierre Crossley ran 10 times for 59 yards to lead UCA's ground game.

Defensively, the Bears recorded eight tackles for loss, including two each by junior linebackers T.J. Campbell and Dre Matthews. Sophomore safety Cameron Godfrey and senior safety Chris Kershner, along with Campbell, had eight tackles each.  Brown carried 24 times for 127 yards for the Blazers, while Johnston was 17 of 25 for 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"I think UAB is probably a Top 25 team, compared to the teams that are playing this fall,' said Brown. "Minus the Big 10 and Pac-12, they are a Top 25 team. To lose by 10, and really, to leave some stuff out there... missed two field goals and had a turnover close to our red zone. It could have been a lot different if we just make a few plays in some spots.

"But that was a good football team. All the credit goes to UAB, they were ready to play and they made more plays than us tonight. But again, we're going to be fine. That may be the best team we play all year, just talent wise. I like our odds moving forward.'

UCA gets a much-needed week off before returning against in-state rival Arkansas State on Sept. 19 in Jonesboro.