UAB Football Hosts South Florida for 7th Annual Children’s Harbor Game

BIRMINGHAM – Playing its seventh annual Children's Harbor Game, the UAB football team hosts South Florida this Saturday, Oct. 7, at Protective Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN2.

In what has become one of the best traditions in college football, the Blazers will represent patients from Children's Harbor by wearing the names of 100 patients on the back of their alternate gray and lime jerseys. UAB has now represented over 700 Children's Harbor families throughout the partnership which dates back to 2016.

Who: UAB (1-4, 0-1 AAC) vs. South Florida (3-2, 2-0 AAC)
Where: Birmingham, Ala. – Protective Stadium
When: Saturday, Oct. 7 – 3 p.m.
Watch: ESPN2
On The Call: Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Listen: 94.5 WJOX
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 2004 – USF, 45-20

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The Blazers look to snap a four-game losing streak and enter the contest at 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the AAC. UAB is coming off a tough loss at Tulane in its conference opener 35-23 and played well but saw a 13-point first half lead disappear.
South Florida enters the contest leading the AAC with a 2-0 record in league play and carries an overall record of 3-2 into the contest. The Bulls are coming off back-to-back wins over Rice and Navy and are averaging 43.0 points per game in those two contests.
The game this weekend features two elite quarterbacks within the American Athletic Conference in UAB's Jacob Zeno and USF's Byrum Brown.
Zeno ranks third nationally in completions per game (31.4), fourth in completion percentage (75.5) and has thrown for 1,442 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions, while adding an additional three rushing touchdowns.
Brown is a dual threat quarterback that has thrown for 1,223 yards, nine touchdowns and is the team's leading rusher with 324 yards and five touchdowns. Brown threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win at Navy.
Zeno's top target has been freshman Amare Thomas of late as Thomas has compiled 17 catches for 159 yards and one touchdown in his last two games at No. 1 Georgia and at Tulane. Thomas leads the team with 23 catches overall, while Tejhaun Palmer paces the team in yards with 231 (on 20 catches). Overall, eight players have at least 10 catches so far this year.
UAB is leading the nation in fumble recoveries with eight. The Blazers have recovered eight of the 13 fumbles they have forced this year and have recovered four fumbles in their last two games combined. Michael Fairbanks II is leading the team with three forced fumbles, while Nikia Eason Jr. and Lee Beebe have each recovered a team-best two.
Keondre Swoopes (31) and Michael Moore (29) continue to lead the team in tackles, while newcomer BJ Mayes is playing at a high level at cornerback. Mayes ranks second in the AAC and is 14th nationally in passes defended with six PBU and one interception (1.40/game).
UAB returns to Protective Stadium where the Blazers are 9-4 in their new home and are 30-5 overall in Birmingham since returning to action in 2017. UAB will look to start a new home-winning streak this Saturday against South Florida.
This is the eighth year of the partnership with Children's Harbor and the seventh annual game. Children's Harbor, which is located just blocks away from UAB's practice facility, serves to strengthen families of seriously ill children through refuge, respite and resources. These unique, no-cost services are offered at both "The Harbor" Family Center located at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, and at the Lake Martin retreat facility in Alexander City. Children's Harbor has been in service since 1989.

Following Saturday's game against South Florida, the Blazers hit the road for a conference game at UTSA. Kickoff from San Antonio on Oct. 14 is set for 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU. The last three games in this series have all been decided by one possession.

Tickets for this Saturday game are available by clicking here.

UAB Football Hosts South Florida for 7th Annual Children’s Harbor Game

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Players Mentioned

Lee Beebe Jr.

Nikia Eason Jr.

Michael Fairbanks II

BJ Mayes

Michael Moore

Tejhaun Palmer

Keondre Swoopes

Amare Thomas

Jacob Zeno

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics