The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Preview: Blazers Look to Create a Dynasty in 2021
7/20/2021 6:43:00β―PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM β As much hype as there is surrounding Protective Stadium, the new home of UAB football, the hype is equally as high for the product that will be on that field this fall.
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Coming off the program's second Conference USA Championship in the last three years, the Blazers had 11 seniors utilize their extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Because of that, UAB returns 17 total starters from last year's team and looks to become the first program in C-USA history to ever win a third league title. Β
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UAB FOOTBALL TALKING POINTS:
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Coming off the program's second Conference USA Championship in the last three years, the Blazers had 11 seniors utilize their extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Because of that, UAB returns 17 total starters from last year's team and looks to become the first program in C-USA history to ever win a third league title. Β
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UAB FOOTBALL TALKING POINTS:
- UAB has won two of the last three Conference USA Championships.
Β - The Blazers are the three-time defending C-USA West Division Champs, which is a Conference USA record.
Β - For the first time since returning to action in 2017, UAB was predicted to win the C-USA West in 2021 by the league's media.
Β - UAB's 34 wins since 2017 are the most of any team in C-USA during that span.
Β - Since The Return in 2017, UAB is 34-16 overall, 24-7 versus Conference USA and 18-3 versus C-USA West Division foes.
Β - Of the 17 total starters returning, nine are on defense and eight on offense.
Β - Five of the eight starters on offense are comprised of the entire offensive line returning in 2021.
Β - UAB finished seventh nationally in total defense last season. It marked the third straight season UAB has finished top 10 nationally in that category.
- Senior All-American safety/linebacker Kristopher Moll is one of the 11 seniors who utilized his extra year of eligibility.
- He enters 2021 just 32 tackles shy of tenth place on UAB's career tackles list. He is a two-time First Team All-Conference USA performer.
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- He enters 2021 just 32 tackles shy of tenth place on UAB's career tackles list. He is a two-time First Team All-Conference USA performer.
- All-Conference USA performers who return to a defense that finished seventh nationally last season include DT Antonio Moultrie, DT Tyree Turner, LB Noah Wilder, CB TD Marshall, S Will Boler, S Damon Miller and S Dy'jonn Turner.
Β Β - Senior quarterback Tyler Johnston III enters his final year with a record of 13-5 as the starting quarterback. He has been under center for each of UAB's two Conference USA Championships.
- Johnston III ranks fourth all-time in career touchdown passes (35) and fifth in career passing yards (4,429) at UAB.
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- Johnston III ranks fourth all-time in career touchdown passes (35) and fifth in career passing yards (4,429) at UAB.
- True sophomore DeWayne McBride takes over as the featured back after the departure of UAB's career leading rusher Spencer Brown.
- McBride had 47 carries for 439 yards (9.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns as a rookie. He also set the school record for the longest touchdown run (75 yards at Louisiana Tech).
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- McBride had 47 carries for 439 yards (9.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns as a rookie. He also set the school record for the longest touchdown run (75 yards at Louisiana Tech).
- The offensive line is the deepest it has ever been. Highlighted by First Team All-Conference USA performers LG Colby Ragland and RT Sidney Wells, the Blazers also return 2020 starters LT Kadeem Telfort, C Andrew Smith Jr. and RG Matthew Trehern. UAB averaged 200.0 rushing yards per game last season and allowed the nation's fourth fewest sacks (4).
- Veteran Jakoby Jones has made 11 career starts, while redshirt sophomore center Will Rykard made three starts last season. Newcomers Keshawn Moore, Quincy McGee and Eli Richey also look to make an immediate impact.
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- Veteran Jakoby Jones has made 11 career starts, while redshirt sophomore center Will Rykard made three starts last season. Newcomers Keshawn Moore, Quincy McGee and Eli Richey also look to make an immediate impact.
- Kicker Matt Quinn and punter Kyle Greenwell highlight the specialists. Quinn had an outstanding freshman campaign, going 11-of-12 on FG, 31-of-32 on PAT and leading the team with 64 total points. Greenwell averaged 42.6 yards per punt in 2020 and was selected to the 2021 Conference USA Preseason Watch List.
- UAB is playing one of its toughest schedules in program history.
Β - Due to construction at Protective Stadium finishing soon, the Blazers play their first four games on the road (Sept. 1 vs. Jacksonville State in Montgomery; Sept. 11 at Georgia; Sept. 18 at North Texas; Sept. 25 at Tulane).
Β - UAB's Grand Opening of Protective Stadium is set for Oct. 2 and is a marquee non-conference matchup against Liberty. The Flames finished 2020 ranked No. 17 with a 10-1 overall record.
Β - The following week features a home game against Florida Atlantic, which pairs the winners of the last four Conference USA Championships against each other (UAB in 2018 and 2020; FAU in 2017 and 2019).
- UAB Football season tickets for the 2021 season are still on sale starting as low as $75 and will provide you with the best seating locations in our new home. You can request more information or purchase by clicking here.
Β - Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are also now available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home football game during the 2021 season. Complete the UAB Football Group Ticket Request FormΒ or download the UAB Football Group Ticket Order Form by visiting the group tickets page. Single game tickets go on sale Aug. 4.
Β - For more information leading into the 2021 season at Protective Stadium, please contactΒ the UAB Athletics Ticket Office atΒ (205) 975-UAB1 orΒ tickets@uab.edu.
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