The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Game 6 Opponent Preview: UTSA Roadrunners
7/1/2019 2:16:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The Blazers will be on the road once again for their third conference game as they travel to the storied Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 12 to battle the Roadrunners of UTSA. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT with coverage being provided on ESPN+.
UAB has outmatched its West Divisional opponent as of late, highlighted by a 52-3 throbbing at Legion Field last year. The Blazers have outscored the Roadrunners 76-22 to claim both wins in the last two seasons.
UTSA concluded last season at 3-9 overall and 2-6 in conference. Head coach Frank Wilson, a long time SEC assistant coach who spent the previous six years at LSU, is entering his fourth season manning the reins for the Roadrunners. Wilson has led UTSA to a 15-21 record over the past three seasons to reach the program's first two bowl games, claim its first victory over a Power 5 program in Baylor and groom its highest NFL draft pick ever in Marcus Davenport, who was selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Saints.
All-Time Series: UAB – 2-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 2018 – UAB 52-3
Current Streak: UAB – W2
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
After experiencing a down year last season, UTSA will look to bounce back behind a solid returning frontline on the offensive side of the ball. Senior tackles Treyvion Shannon and Josh Dunlop along with sophomore center Kevin Davis will anchor the line after starting all 12 games last season, while senior Jalyn Galmore and sophomore Spencer Burford will fill out the guard spots as the pair combined for 15 starts in 15 appearances a year ago. Returning behind the front five will be senior starting quarterback Cordale Grundy and junior starting running back B.J. Daniels.
UAB's offensive line will be led by redshirt senior standout Lee Dufour, who first joined the team in 2014. The Saraland, Ala., native has now been a two-year starter, guiding the offensive line from the center position in each game he's been healthy, including the Conference USA Championship win over Middle Tennessee and the Boca Raton Bowl victory over Northern Illinois last season.
Dufour's efforts last year helped lead to the Blazers setting program records in rushing yards with 2,818 and total yards with 5,680. In doing so, he also helped pave the way for First Team All-Conference USA and multiple-record holding running back Spencer Brown to set UAB's benchmark for the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 16. Dufour will be joined by a stable of talented lineman that have waited their turn behind a veteran offensive line in previous years to once again pave the way for Brown and returning redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston III.
TICKETS:
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Fans can also request more information on ticket options for the upcoming season here. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets to any home football game. To purchase group tickets for the 2019 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.
UAB has outmatched its West Divisional opponent as of late, highlighted by a 52-3 throbbing at Legion Field last year. The Blazers have outscored the Roadrunners 76-22 to claim both wins in the last two seasons.
UTSA concluded last season at 3-9 overall and 2-6 in conference. Head coach Frank Wilson, a long time SEC assistant coach who spent the previous six years at LSU, is entering his fourth season manning the reins for the Roadrunners. Wilson has led UTSA to a 15-21 record over the past three seasons to reach the program's first two bowl games, claim its first victory over a Power 5 program in Baylor and groom its highest NFL draft pick ever in Marcus Davenport, who was selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Saints.
All-Time Series: UAB – 2-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 2018 – UAB 52-3
Current Streak: UAB – W2
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
After experiencing a down year last season, UTSA will look to bounce back behind a solid returning frontline on the offensive side of the ball. Senior tackles Treyvion Shannon and Josh Dunlop along with sophomore center Kevin Davis will anchor the line after starting all 12 games last season, while senior Jalyn Galmore and sophomore Spencer Burford will fill out the guard spots as the pair combined for 15 starts in 15 appearances a year ago. Returning behind the front five will be senior starting quarterback Cordale Grundy and junior starting running back B.J. Daniels.
UAB's offensive line will be led by redshirt senior standout Lee Dufour, who first joined the team in 2014. The Saraland, Ala., native has now been a two-year starter, guiding the offensive line from the center position in each game he's been healthy, including the Conference USA Championship win over Middle Tennessee and the Boca Raton Bowl victory over Northern Illinois last season.
Dufour's efforts last year helped lead to the Blazers setting program records in rushing yards with 2,818 and total yards with 5,680. In doing so, he also helped pave the way for First Team All-Conference USA and multiple-record holding running back Spencer Brown to set UAB's benchmark for the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 16. Dufour will be joined by a stable of talented lineman that have waited their turn behind a veteran offensive line in previous years to once again pave the way for Brown and returning redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston III.
TICKETS:
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Fans can also request more information on ticket options for the upcoming season here. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets to any home football game. To purchase group tickets for the 2019 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.
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