The Sports Xchange
Nov 18, 2017
Feleipe Franks threw two touchdown passes and Florida's defense dominated in a 36-7 win over Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Eddy Pineiro kicked five field goals, including two from over 50 yards. Lamical Perine had a 15-yard touchdown run for the Gators, who snapped a five-game losing streak and won for the first time under interim coach Randy Shannon.
UAB quarterback A.J. Erdely threw a 74-yard touchdown to Xavier Ubosi in the fourth quarter, but mustered very little else on offense.
Florida held the Blazers to 180 total yards and forced three turnovers.
Franks completed 15 of 30 passes for 152 yards with touchdown passes to C'yontai Lewis and DeAndre Goolsby.
Perine finished with 86 yards on 20 carries, and Adarius Lemons added 89 yards on the ground for the Gators, who rushed for 257 yards.
The Gators (4-6) will look to end a disappointing season on a positive note, when the Florida State Seminoles visit the Swamp next weekend.
Florida parted ways with coach Jim McElwain in late October. Shannon, the Gators' defensive coordinator, has filled in on an interim basis, while the coaching search continues.
Despite the loss, the Blazers (7-4) are headed to a bowl game just two years after the program disbanded. It's been a remarkable story for UAB and coach Bill Clark, but little went their way against the Gators on Saturday.