UAB upsets Marshall in C-USA Championship

Quarterback Tyler Johnston threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns as UAB (6-3) defeated Marshall 22-13 in Friday night's Conference USA Championship.

Marshall (7-2), which had been getting stellar play from its offense all season, only managed 268 total yards, and quarterback Grant Wells only completed eight of his 23 pass attempts. The UAB defense has kept it in games this year and came through at the perfect time. On the other side, UAB's offense had 468 total yards.

The game started out sloppy. In the first half, only one touchdown was scored, and the extra point was missed. UAB took a 9-0 lead into the locker room at the half as the game was shaping up to be a defensive slugfest.

Marshall finally found the endzone in the third quarter. The Thundering Herd leaned on running back Brenden Knox for most of a 51 yard drive and finished it with a touchdown pass from Wells to Artie Henry to make it a 9-7 game. UAB would add two field goals to take a 15-7 lead with 5:55 left in the game.

Marshall answered with a 70 yard touchdown pass from Wells to Xavier Gaines but would miss the two point conversion. Johnston would hit Trea Shropshire for a 71 yard touchdown, and the Blazers' defense would put the game on ice.

Running back Spencer Brown added 149 rushing yards as UAB won its second conference title in three years. It was also the team's third straight appearance in the game.