The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Game 9 Opponent Preview - at Southern Miss
7/15/2019 5:14:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM - In a series recently dominated by the Blazers, UAB heads to Hattiesburg on Nov. 9 to take on rival Southern Miss. Kick is set for 2:30 p.m. on NFL Network.
Despite trailing 10-7 in the all-time series, UAB has won seven of the last eight matchups with the Golden Eagles, including each of the last three. Last year's contest was a 26-23 overtime victory which clinched the C-USA West Division title for the Blazers.
Series: Southern Miss leads 10-7
Last Meeting: Nov. 10, 2018 - UAB 26-23 (OT)
Current Streak: UAB - W3
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Southern Miss is very optimistic about the 2019 season with five Preseason All-Conference USA selections, along with redshirt junior signal caller Jack Abraham.
Abraham took the reins a quarter of the way into last season and completed 73 percent of his passes (223-of-305) for 2,347 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Among his dynamic receivers is Quez Watkins who had 72 catches for 889 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018 as a sophomore.
Abraham played in nine games last year and missed the UAB contest due to injury. His backup Tate Whatley had a rough day as the Blazers exposed the offensive line en route to a season-high seven sacks and 13.0 TFL. Whatley finished 16-of-38 for 160 yards and an interception in the loss, but the USM defense (which finished third nationally in total defense) held the Golden Eagles in the game until Spencer Brown broke the 17-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime.
USM boasts one of the top QBs in the league, as do the Blazers in Tyler Johnston III. The redshirt sophomore enters his first full year as the starter and is coming off a season in which he led UAB to all three of its championship clinching games: a 26-23 victory over Southern Miss to clinch the West, a 27-25 victory at Middle Tennessee in the C-USA Championship Game and a 37-13 victory over Northern Illinois in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.
In five starts, Johnston III threw for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding three additional rushing scores. For the season, he had 1,323 passing yards and rushed for 359.
In his first career start, Johnston III led UAB to a school record 668 yards of total offense. He also threw for 306 yards at Texas A&M and a career-high 373 yards and four touchdowns against Northern Illinois.
The Blazers are 45 days away from opening the 2019 season. UAB kicks off the season on Thursday, Aug. 29, against Alabama State at Legion Field. The game kicks at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
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.
Despite trailing 10-7 in the all-time series, UAB has won seven of the last eight matchups with the Golden Eagles, including each of the last three. Last year's contest was a 26-23 overtime victory which clinched the C-USA West Division title for the Blazers.
Series: Southern Miss leads 10-7
Last Meeting: Nov. 10, 2018 - UAB 26-23 (OT)
Current Streak: UAB - W3
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Southern Miss is very optimistic about the 2019 season with five Preseason All-Conference USA selections, along with redshirt junior signal caller Jack Abraham.
Abraham took the reins a quarter of the way into last season and completed 73 percent of his passes (223-of-305) for 2,347 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Among his dynamic receivers is Quez Watkins who had 72 catches for 889 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018 as a sophomore.
Abraham played in nine games last year and missed the UAB contest due to injury. His backup Tate Whatley had a rough day as the Blazers exposed the offensive line en route to a season-high seven sacks and 13.0 TFL. Whatley finished 16-of-38 for 160 yards and an interception in the loss, but the USM defense (which finished third nationally in total defense) held the Golden Eagles in the game until Spencer Brown broke the 17-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime.
USM boasts one of the top QBs in the league, as do the Blazers in Tyler Johnston III. The redshirt sophomore enters his first full year as the starter and is coming off a season in which he led UAB to all three of its championship clinching games: a 26-23 victory over Southern Miss to clinch the West, a 27-25 victory at Middle Tennessee in the C-USA Championship Game and a 37-13 victory over Northern Illinois in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.
In five starts, Johnston III threw for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding three additional rushing scores. For the season, he had 1,323 passing yards and rushed for 359.
In his first career start, Johnston III led UAB to a school record 668 yards of total offense. He also threw for 306 yards at Texas A&M and a career-high 373 yards and four touchdowns against Northern Illinois.
The Blazers are 45 days away from opening the 2019 season. UAB kicks off the season on Thursday, Aug. 29, against Alabama State at Legion Field. The game kicks at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
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.
Players Mentioned
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