The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Putting What the UAB Defense is Doing in Perspective
10/29/2018 1:40:00β―PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM - The UAB defense is shattering the record book, but if you really break down the numbers, this 2018 Blazer unit could potentially be the best in the history of Conference USA.
Β
With their 19-0 blanking of UTEP on Saturday, the Blazers are the only team in the country with multiple shutout victories this year.
Β
And they have three.
Β
UAB's third shutout marked the first time in Conference USA history that a team has tallied three shutouts in one season. In five C-USA games, UAB has allowed 35 total points, good for an average of 7.0 points per game. UAB's defense has gone six scoreless quarters and has held its opponents without a point in 16 of 20 quarters during league play.
Β
Among the lofty national ranks, UAB is tied for the national lead in sacks per game at 3.88 (31 total), and needs four more to break the school record for total sacks. The Blazers also rank second in third down defense (23.5), third in scoring defense (13.3), fifth in passing yards allowed (155.8), fifth in fourth down defense (.182), fifth in total defense (277.9) and eighth in tackles for loss (8.1).
Β
But think about this. UAB's leading tackler Chris Woolbright has 41 tackles (5.1 per game). What does that mean? That means everyone on this unit is making plays.
Β
The Blazers have 14 players that have recorded at least one sack and 19 who have a TFL. Jamell Garcia-Williams leads the way with a team-best 6.5 sacks and Woolbright paces the team with 10 TFL, but there are nine players who have multiple sacks and 14 players who have multiple TFLs.
Β
It all goes hand-in-hand. The secondary is succeeding because of the pressure created up front. The defensive line is succeeding because of the lockdown defense being played in the secondary.
Β
This is not an individually driven unit. It has been a team effort each and every game, and as Fitzgerald Mofor pointed out, that is all that matters.
Β
"To us, the biggest stat that matters is the final score," Mofor said. "The stats are really cool and something to work off of, but at the end of the day the stat that matters is the scoreboard."
Β
And what about Coastal Carolina? Yes, they put up 47 points on the defense in UAB's only loss of the year back in Week 2. Maybe that was the wake-up call that was needed.
Β
Since that game, UAB has allowed 59 total points in six games.
Β
So yes, take a minute to appreciate this defense, because they don't come around that often. In fact, in the history of Conference USA, they may have never come around. Until now.Β
Β
Β
With their 19-0 blanking of UTEP on Saturday, the Blazers are the only team in the country with multiple shutout victories this year.
Β
And they have three.
Β
UAB's third shutout marked the first time in Conference USA history that a team has tallied three shutouts in one season. In five C-USA games, UAB has allowed 35 total points, good for an average of 7.0 points per game. UAB's defense has gone six scoreless quarters and has held its opponents without a point in 16 of 20 quarters during league play.
Β
Among the lofty national ranks, UAB is tied for the national lead in sacks per game at 3.88 (31 total), and needs four more to break the school record for total sacks. The Blazers also rank second in third down defense (23.5), third in scoring defense (13.3), fifth in passing yards allowed (155.8), fifth in fourth down defense (.182), fifth in total defense (277.9) and eighth in tackles for loss (8.1).
Β
But think about this. UAB's leading tackler Chris Woolbright has 41 tackles (5.1 per game). What does that mean? That means everyone on this unit is making plays.
Β
The Blazers have 14 players that have recorded at least one sack and 19 who have a TFL. Jamell Garcia-Williams leads the way with a team-best 6.5 sacks and Woolbright paces the team with 10 TFL, but there are nine players who have multiple sacks and 14 players who have multiple TFLs.
Β
It all goes hand-in-hand. The secondary is succeeding because of the pressure created up front. The defensive line is succeeding because of the lockdown defense being played in the secondary.
Β
This is not an individually driven unit. It has been a team effort each and every game, and as Fitzgerald Mofor pointed out, that is all that matters.
Β
"To us, the biggest stat that matters is the final score," Mofor said. "The stats are really cool and something to work off of, but at the end of the day the stat that matters is the scoreboard."
Β
And what about Coastal Carolina? Yes, they put up 47 points on the defense in UAB's only loss of the year back in Week 2. Maybe that was the wake-up call that was needed.
Β
Since that game, UAB has allowed 59 total points in six games.
Β
So yes, take a minute to appreciate this defense, because they don't come around that often. In fact, in the history of Conference USA, they may have never come around. Until now.Β
Β
Players Mentioned
Thursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
