The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Hosts Alabama State Thursday Night in 2019 Season Opener
8/25/2019 3:41:00β―PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM β The UAB football team opens its 2019 season this Thursday, Aug. 29, against in-state foe Alabama State at Legion Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
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Led by running back Spencer Brown and quarterback Tyler Johnston III, the Blazers look to defend the Conference USA title in 2019 after capturing the program's first championship in school history last year.
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Prior to kickoff on Thursday night, there will be a championship banner reveal and fans are encouraged to make their way into Legion Field at approximately 6:30 p.m. to commemorate the 2018 season.
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Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Alabama State (0-0)
Where: Legion Field β Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, Aug. 29 β 7 p.m.
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: ESPN+
On the Call: Curt Bloom (play-by-play), Chad Pilcher (color)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
All-Time Series: Alabama State leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 20, 2008: UAB 45-10
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
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Led by running back Spencer Brown and quarterback Tyler Johnston III, the Blazers look to defend the Conference USA title in 2019 after capturing the program's first championship in school history last year.
Β
Prior to kickoff on Thursday night, there will be a championship banner reveal and fans are encouraged to make their way into Legion Field at approximately 6:30 p.m. to commemorate the 2018 season.
Β
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Alabama State (0-0)
Where: Legion Field β Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, Aug. 29 β 7 p.m.
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: ESPN+
On the Call: Curt Bloom (play-by-play), Chad Pilcher (color)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
All-Time Series: Alabama State leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 20, 2008: UAB 45-10
Β
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Junior running back Spencer is 262 yards away from becoming UAB's career rushing leader. Brown also needs one more 100-yard rushing performance to set the school record in that category. Brown is currently tied with Joe Webb at 12 100-yard rushing games.
Β - With 2,556 career rushing yards, Brown enters the 2019 season ranked sixth nationally in career rushing yards amongst active players. Brown had 1,329 yards as a freshman and 1,227 yards as a sophomore. In 27 career games, Brown has 27 total touchdowns (26 rushing, one receiving).
Β - Redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnston III enters his first season as the full-time starter for the Blazers. Johnston III started five games in 2018 and threw for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns in those five starts.
Β - Johnston III was the starter for all three of UAB's championship clinching games, and threw for a career-high 373 yards and four touchdowns in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl victory over Northern Illinois.
Β - Defensively, UAB will introduce eight new starters on Thursday. Returning starters Garrett Marino (DL), Fitzgerald Mofor (OLB), Kristopher Moll (LB) and Dy'Jonn Turner (S) will guide a young group that looks to replicate last year's unit that finished ninth nationally in total defense and set the school record for sacks (48) and tackles for loss (111).
Β - Mofor started the last two years at middle linebacker and is the team's top returning tackler, but has made the switch to jack outside linebacker for his senior campaign. This will give Mofor the ability to rush the passer more this season and redshirt sophomore Noah Wilder will fill into the role of middle linebacker.
Β - Senior center Lee Dufour anchors an offensive line that will field four new starters on Thursday. Dufour has started 24 career games. He and placekicker Nick Vogel are the only two remaining players on the roster who were on the 2014 team. Vogel finished second nationally in touchback percentage as a junior, drilling 71 of his 80 kickoffs out of the end zone.
Β - This is just the fourth all-time meeting between the two schools. Alabama State looks to improve upon a 4-7 record from last season. Following the game at UAB, the Hornets have four straight home games in Montgomery.
Β - Along with the banner reveal, there is a Food Truck Rally outside of Legion Field starting at 3 p.m., featuring seven of Birmingham's top food trucks. New to Blazer village this season is the Birmingham Bud Beer Garden. Click here for a list of pregame items to be aware of.Β
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Players Mentioned
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LB
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