AP

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Freshman Tyler Johnston III threw three first-half touchdown passes and scored on a 3-yard run to help UAB cruise to a 52-3 win over UTSA on Saturday night for the Blazers' program record seventh consecutive win.

Johnston, making his first collegiate start in place of injured A.J. Erdely, hit Kailon Carter for a 50-yard TD on the opening possession and, after UTSA went three-and-out, connected with Xavier Ubosi on a 22-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Johnston's 31-yard scoring strike to Ubosi made it 28-3 and, one play after Gerrit Prince blocked a punt, Spencer Brown's 4-yard rushing TD gave UAB (8-1, 6-0 Conference USA) a 32-point lead with 12 minutes left in the first half.

Brown finished with 20 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns and moved into a tie with Erdely atop the program's single-season rushing touchdown list with 13.

The Blazers had school record 668 total yards and their eight wins, which match last season's total, ties the school's single-season record.

UTSA (3-6, 2-3) has lost three in a row.