The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, August 29
Birmingham, AL
7 p.m.
UAB
vs
Alcorn State
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB to Host Alcorn State in 2024 Season Opener
8/27/2024 1:06:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team opens the 2024 season this Thursday, Aug. 29, against Alcorn State at Protective Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Blazers look to return to the postseason in 2024 and have a veteran team that is led by one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in senior Jacob Zeno.
UAB and Alcorn State are meeting for the second time with the Blazers leading the series 1-0. The first meeting was a 22-0 Blazer victory in 2007. Additionally, UAB is 8-0 in season openers dating back to the 2014 season.
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Alcorn State (0-0)
Where: Protective Stadium – Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, Aug. 29 – 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Nate Gatter (play-by-play), Jay Sonnhalter (analyst)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: UAB, 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 15, 2007 – UAB 22-0
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Following the season opener, UAB heads to Monroe, La., for a Week 2 contest at ULM. The game on Saturday, Sept. 7, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.
The Blazers look to return to the postseason in 2024 and have a veteran team that is led by one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in senior Jacob Zeno.
UAB and Alcorn State are meeting for the second time with the Blazers leading the series 1-0. The first meeting was a 22-0 Blazer victory in 2007. Additionally, UAB is 8-0 in season openers dating back to the 2014 season.
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Alcorn State (0-0)
Where: Protective Stadium – Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, Aug. 29 – 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Nate Gatter (play-by-play), Jay Sonnhalter (analyst)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: UAB, 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 15, 2007 – UAB 22-0
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Despite setting a school record for total yards per game last season (450.0), the Blazers finished last year at 4-8 overall. Led by Zeno, the offense is revamped and looks to surpass its production from last year.
- Zeno enters the year as the nation's leading returner in completion percentage. Zeno set a school record by completing 73.6% of his passes last year and finished second nationally in that category only behind Bo Nix.
- Zeno's 279 completions were also a school record and his 3,126 passing yards were the second most in school history. Despite losing his top receiver Tejhaun Palmer to the NFL, sophomore Amare Thomas returns as WR1 after a record-setting freshman campaign.
- Thomas hauled in 53 catches as a rookie, the most by a freshman in school history. He had 437 yards and three touchdowns and looks for massive numbers in year two.
- The backfield is arguably the deepest it has ever been. Sophomore Lee Beebe Jr. averaged 6.9 yards per carry as a redshirt freshman last year which landed him a spot on this year's Doak Walker Award Watch List. Senior Isaiah Jacobs is fully healthy after an ACL tear in game five of last year and has the attention of NFL scouts, while LSU transfer and Birmingham native Armoni Goodwin looks as good as advertised. Veteran Lee Witherspoon and freshman Solomon Beebe (brother of Lee) round out the running back room.
- Defensively, UAB looks to take a jump after finishing 118th in total defense a season ago. Linebacker Michael Moore anchors the middle of the defense, while Kevin Penn and Desmond Little are the top returners on the d-line and cornerback Colby Dempsey has the most experience in the secondary.
- The Blazers added a ton of age and experience through the portal on the defensive side ball. Look for P4 transfers LD Cox, Demarcus Smith and Derrick Shepard Jr. to be disruptive on the defensive line, while OC Brothers will play alongside Moore and sophomore Everett Roussaw Jr. at linebacker.
- Dilfer hopes the most improvement is in the secondary as sophomore Chris Bracy looks poised for a breakout year, while transfers Tyjon Jones, Sirad Bryant, Adrian Maddox, Tariq Watson and Troy Jakubec all expect to contribute.
- Alcorn State was predicted to win the SWAC West Division and has two preseason First Team All-SWAC selections in tight end Tavarious Griffin and defensive lineman Malachi Bailey.
- The Braves are led at quarterback by a talented junior Tyler Macon, who Coach Dilfer saw up close with his time at the Elite 11.
- Thursday will be a Party at Protective with a Blazer Village Beer Garden featuring free sampling from Cahaba Brewing, District Brewing and Back Forty Beer Company from 3-6 p.m., while inside Protective Stadium will have $5 domestic drink specials all night.
- Season tickets remain on sale, and single game tickets and parking are available by clicking here.
Following the season opener, UAB heads to Monroe, La., for a Week 2 contest at ULM. The game on Saturday, Sept. 7, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.
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