Nov. 16, 2002

Final Stats

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Darrell Hackney threw for 424 yards and three touchdowns to lead UAB to a 36-29 Conference USA victory over visiting East Carolina here Saturday.

Running back Kendal Gibson scored on a one-yard run with 1:00 remaining to culminate a nine-play, 89-yard drive and give the Blazers (5-5, 4-2 C-USA) the seven-point advantage.

The win kept UAB's bowl hopes alive and virtually eliminates ECU's chances for postseason play. The Blazers, playing their final home game of the 2002 season, now face back-to-back road contests at Louisville next Saturday and at Cincinnati a week later.

"The game was typical for us," said UAB head coach Watson Brown. "When we win, we just find a way to do it. I told the offense tonight that they needed to step up for us to win and they did it. That's really what won the game." East Carolina (3-6, 3-2) trailed 29-17 entering the fourth quarter. But the Pirates tied the game behind quarterback Desmond Robinson, who played the entire second half in relief of starter Paul Troth.

East Carolina's comeback started when Robinson threw a four-yard scoring pass to Art Brown, cutting UAB's lead to 29-24 with 10:38 left in the game.

Safety Antwane Yelverton added to the score when he tackled Theron Dudley in the end zone for a safety, making it 29-26. A 31-yard field goal by Kevin Miller tied the game at 29 with 4:09 left.

Hackney then sparked the Blazers, completing a 15-yard pass to Roddy White and a 12-yarder to Bernard Anderson before Gibson ran 25 yards to the East Carolina 37.

Wide receiver Chico Cleveland hurdles through the air after catching a pass.

A 13-yard run by Dudley and runs of 9 and 4 yards by Dan Burks gave UAB a first down at the East Carolina 11 with 1:56 left. Three plays later, Gibson ran into the end zone for the winning points.

East Carolina drove to near midfield but Robinson's long pass was intercepted by Sentell Winston at the two-yard line with five seconds left.

White had eight catches for 159 yards -- both career highs -- and a touchdown. Willie Quinnie caught three passes for 121 yards, including a 94-yard scoring catch in the second quarter, the second longest offensive play in school history.

Nick Hayes kicked field goals of 46, 34 and 33 yards for UAB. But he missed a 37-yarder late in the first half, breaking his streak of 15 consecutive field goals dating back to last season.

Robinson completed 12 of 20 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown for East Carolina. Brown ran for 84 yards on 16 carries.