Williams scores 2 TDs as Aggies down UAB 41-20

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Trayveon Williams ran for 167 yards and two touchdowns to lead Texas A&M to a 41-20 win over UAB on Saturday night to snap the Blazers’ school-record eight-game winning streak.

Kellen Mond threw two touchdown passes to Jace Sternberger as the Aggies (7-4) got their second straight win after losing their previous two games.

UAB (9-2), which clinched their first Conference USA West division title last week, lost for the first time since Sept. 8 in a mistake-filled game which included two interceptions by Tyler Johnston, a fumble returned for a touchdown, and three missed field goals and a blocked extra point.

Things went wrong for the Blazers immediately, with Andre Wilson fumbling the opening kickoff, which was recovered by Larry Pryor and returned 17 yards for the score.

UAB bounced back on the next possession, using a 10-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown reception by Wilson to tie it at 7-7.

The first touchdown by Williams, a 9-yard run, put Texas A&M back on top 14-7 with about six minutes left in the first quarter.

Nick Vogel’s first missed field came after that, with the 43-yard attempt clanging off the left upright and sailing right back at him.

The Aggies were up 17-7 early in the second quarter when Vogel missed again, this time his 44-yard attempt was blocked by Jayden Peevy.

UAB was driving late in the second quarter when Donovan Wilson intercepted Johnston to give the Aggies the ball back. The second TD by Williams, who has seven 100-yard games this season, came a few plays later to extend Texas A&M’s lead to 24-7.

The Aggies got the ball back with 11 seconds left in the first half and attempted a 39-yard field goal after an incomplete pass, but it was wide right to leave them up by 17 at halftime.

Texas A&M added a field goal on its first possession of the second half and Vogel’s third miss came after that.

Sternberger extended Texas A&M’s lead to 34-7 when he grabbed a 25-yard touchdown reception late in the third. His 20-yard catch extended it to 41-13 with about nine minutes left.

The Blazers recovered a fumble to set up a 10-yard TD reception by Wilson before Sternberger’s second touchdown, but Vogel’s extra point attempt was blocked.

UAB entered the game leading the nation with a school-record 38 sacks and piled up seven in a win over Southern Miss last week. They didn’t have nearly as much success in getting to the mobile Mond, sacking him just once.

THE TAKEAWAY

UAB: The Blazers moved the ball well and looked good at times, but had far too many errors to beat a SEC team.

Texas A&M: Mond didn’t have a turnover after committing six in the last three games combined. He’ll have to continue to play clean football next week when the Aggies host No. 10 LSU for them to have a chance at the upset.

UP NEXT

UAB: Visit Middle Tennessee next Saturday.

Texas A&M: Host LSU next Saturday night to wrap up the regular season.

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Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press