UAB Returns to Protective Stadium to Host Georgia Southern

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team returns to Protective Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 17, to host Georgia Southern in a non-conference contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Stadium.

The Blazers look to rebound after last week's 21-14 loss at Liberty, while Georgia Southern comes to Birmingham riding high after defeating Nebraska 45-42 last Saturday in Lincoln. The Eagles boast the nation's No. 2 ranked offense with an average of 573.0 yards per game.

Who: UAB (1-1) vs. Georgia Southern (2-0)
Where: Protective Stadium – Birmingham, Ala.
When: Saturday, Sept. 17 – 2:30 p.m.
Watch: Stadium (Streaming Options: Stadium 24/7, Fubo TV, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, Xumo, The Roku Channel, STIRR, YouTube TV, PLEX, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)
On The Call: Chris Hassel (play-by-play), Sed Bonner (analyst)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: First Meeting

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The Blazer defense will be tested this week in the passing game as Georgia Southern has thrown the ball 102 times its first two games (51 attempts per game). The Eagles average 388.0 passing yards per game, which ranks them fourth nationally.
Conversely, UAB is allowing just 169.5 passing yards per game which sets up a crucial battle in determining the outcome of the game.
The Eagles rank 99th in total defense, allowing 412.5 yards per game and give up 214.5 yards on the ground. Led by DeWayne McBride and Jermaine Brown Jr., UAB is averaging 236.0 rushing yards per game.
Another key stat to keep an eye on is third down conversions. UAB ranks 12th nationally in third down defense, holding opponents to just 22.2 percent (6-of-27). Georgia Southern has converted 20-of-30 on third down (.667) and ranks third nationally in that category. Getting off the field on third down will be a huge factor for UAB to emerge victorious.
McBride rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown in his first action of the season last Saturday at Liberty. The junior is averaging 99.4 rushing yards per game for his career, which is the sixth most nationally amongst career active rushers, only behind Brad Roberts (Air Force), Braelon Allen (Wisconsin), Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota), Lew Nichols (Central Michigan) and Sean Tucker (Syracuse).
McBride has 1,987 career rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. For his career, he is averaging an astonishing 7.3 yards per carry.
With 91 rushing yards at Liberty, Jermaine Brown Jr. moved into the top 10 for career rushing at UAB with 1,532 yards. McBride and Brown Jr. continue to form one of the most lethal 1-2 running back combinations in the country and have combined for 382 of UAB's 472 rushing yards this season.
Linebacker Noah Wilder is nine tackles away from moving into the top 10 for career tackles at UAB. He currently has 244 career stops and is leading the Blazers this season with 16 tackles.
Saturday's game features coaching connections between the two schools. Most recently, Georgia Southern offensive line coach Richard Owens spent the previous four years at UAB coaching the o-line. Georgia Southern Offensive Coordinator Bryan Ellis played quarterback at UAB from 2008-11 and in 2010 had the fifth most single season passing yards (2,940) and second most single season touchdown passes (25) in school history.
Since returning to action in 2017, the Blazers are 8-2 in non-conference home games. UAB is also 4-2 at Protective Stadium overall and has won three in a row.
The Blazers are 15-13 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt. UAB has at least one Sun Belt school on its non-conference schedule for the next 11 years, aside from the 2025 season.
In conjunction with the College Football Playoff, Saturday is Extra Yard for Teachers in which local educators will be honored throughout the game.
Following Saturday's game, the Blazers enter their one and only bye week of the year.

Student tickets are free and can be redeemed with a valid ONE Card at the Bartow Arena Ticket Office. Single game and season tickets remain on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. Single game parking is also available here.

UAB Returns to Protective Stadium to Host Georgia Southern

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Players Mentioned

Jermaine Brown Jr.

DeWayne McBride

Noah Wilder

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics