abcnews
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bam McReynolds turned a fourth-quarter Navy turnover into a 48-yard touchdown sprint, and UAB came from behind to defeat the Midshipmen 24-20 on Friday night in the Blazers' American Conference opener.
Navy (1-2, 0-2) held a 20-17 advantage and was moving the ball when Marlin Dean sacked quarterback Jackson Gutierrez on first down, forcing a fumble that Chris Spencer recovered for UAB.
On the very next play, McReynolds outran the defense for the go-ahead score.
After a scoreless first quarter, UAB (2-2) capitalized on a 13-yard punt by Jacob Carlson, driving 40 yards and taking a 7-0 lead on McReynolds' 10-yard run just four seconds into the second quarter.
Navy responded with a 75-yard march, evening the score at 7-7 on Gutierrez's 4-yard touchdown run in his first career start.
Jonah Delange connected on a 44-yard field goal for UAB, but Navy's Nolan Bartley answered with a 34-yarder to tie the game at the two-minute warning.
Ryder Burton then completed two passes for 22 yards before finding Ty Mims for a 56-yard touchdown strike, needing only three plays and 49 seconds to put the Blazers ahead 17-10.
Gutierrez hit running back Vic Listorti for a 39-yard gain, and Bartley kicked a 31-yard field goal to trim the deficit to four at halftime.
Charles Robinson returned a punt 23 yards to the UAB 47, and nine plays later Listorti scored from 7 yards out to give Navy a 20-17 lead with 4:24 left in the third quarter.
Burton finished 13-of-20 passing for 174 yards with one interception. McReynolds carried eight times for 71 yards. Gutierrez rushed 34 times for 134 yards and completed 4 of 13 passes for 104 yards.
Navy will visit Air Force on Oct. 3, while UAB hosts Samford on Oct. 3.
Originally reported by abcnews.