UAB Football Travels to WKU for Conference USA Opener

BIRMINGHAM - The UAB football team opens its Conference USA title defense this Saturday, Sept. 28, as the Blazers travel to Bowling Green to take on WKU in its league opener. The game kicks at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN+.

The Blazers are off to a 3-0 start and are one of 23 remaining unbeaten teams in the country. WKU stands at 1-2 overall, but is at the top of the C-USA East Division standings after defeating FIU 20-14 back in Week 2.

Who: UAB (3-0, 0-0 C-USA) at WKU (1-2, 1-0 C-USA)
Where: Houchens Industries - L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Ky.
When: Saturday, Sept. 28 - 6 p.m. CST
Watch: ESPN+
On the Call: Nate Gatter (play-by-play), Brandon Doughty (color)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
Series: Tied, 3-3
Last Meeting: Oct. 4, 2014: UAB 42-39

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The Blazers enter C-USA play with a target on their back after winning the 2018 league title. Since returning to action in 2017, UAB is 22-8 overall and 14-3 in C-USA, both of which are the best marks of any team in the league during that time frame.
The offense has been clicking in the last two games as UAB compiled 402 total yards at Akron and 514 against South Alabama. In those two contests combined, quarterback Tyler Johnston III has thrown for 632 yards and seven touchdowns.
Junior running back Spencer Brown is coming off his best performance of the season in which he compiled 80 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Brown is now 70 yards shy of becoming UAB's career leading rusher. Against South Alabama, he also moved into sole possession of second place on UAB's career rushing touchdowns list by picking up the 27th and 28th of his career.
UAB's big three receivers in Kendall Parham, Austin Watkins Jr. and Myron Mitchell have combined for 615 of UAB's 746 receiving yards. Each of them rank top 40 nationally in yards per catch, led by Parham who tops the nation at 28.0 YPC.
Defensively, UAB boasts Conference USA's top unit entering the game at WKU. The Blazers lead the league in total defense, scoring defense, sacks per game, tackles for loss per game and third down defense.
The Blazers are fourth nationally in third down defense, allowing opponents to complete just 21.4 percent of their third down opportunities (Alabama State, 3-of-15, Akron, 4-of-16, South Alabama, 2-of-11, 9-of-42 total).
UAB also ranks sixth nationally in sacks per game (4.33) and seventh in tackles for loss per game (9.3). Outland Trophy candidate Garrett Marino is leading the way in both categories with 3.5 sacks and 4.5 TFL. He has also added 16 total tackles, two pass breakups, two QBH and a forced fumble.
The secondary will be tested this weekend as WKU is averaging nearly 40 pass attempts per game. WKU has four players with over 100 receiving yards through three games, led by Jahcour Pearson (16 catches, 130 yards, 2 TD) and Lucky Jackson (13 catches, 154 yards).
Running back Gaej Walker is also a threat as he comes into the contest averaging 97.7 yards per game. Walker has 293 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 60 attempts.
Defensively, WKU has generated 23 TFL and 7.0 sacks, led by defensive lineman DeAngelo Malone who leads the team in tackles (27) and TFL (6.0).

Following the game at WKU, UAB return home to face Rice on Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. The Blazers are 2-0 against the Owls since returning in 2017.

For additional updates on UAB football, following @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.

UAB Football Travels to WKU for Conference USA Opener

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Players Mentioned

Spencer Brown

Tyler Johnston III

Garrett Marino

Myron Mitchell

Kendall Parham

Austin Watkins Jr.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics