UAB and ULM Square Off Saturday Night in Monroe

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team looks for a 2-0 start this Saturday as the Blazers travel to Monroe, Louisiana for a night game at ULM. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

UAB and ULM both enter the contest at 1-0 after defeating SWAC opponents to open the season. UAB beat Alcorn State 41-3, while ULM snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 30-14 victory over Jackson State.

Who: UAB (1-0) at ULM (1-0)
Where: Malone Stadium – Monroe, La.
When: Saturday, Sept. 7 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Sean Fox (play-by-play), Desmund Lighten (analyst)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Oct. 2, 1999 – UAB 47-0

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Saturday marks the 90th game for UAB since returning to action in 2017 and a win would be the Blazers' 56th victory. UAB is 55-34 and its 61.8 winning percentage is the 12th best amongst G5 schools during that span.
However, UAB is just 1-6 in Week 2 contests since 2017 and its only 2-0 start came during the 2019 season. A win this weekend would also be Coach Dilfer's first road win at UAB.
The Blazers will line up against a familiar face as ULM is led by former UAB offensive coordinator and 2022 interim head coach Bryant Vincent. Vincent was the OC at UAB in 2014, 2018-21 and then led the Blazers to a 7-6 record and a Bahamas Bowl victory in 2022. He has 18 coaches/support staff/players on his roster who have ties to UAB.
UAB had 517 yards of total offense in the season-opening win and dating back to last year has had over 500 yards of total offense in three straight games. In 13 career games as head coach, Dilfer has led UAB to 500+ yards of offense five times.
A rushing attack featuring depth led the way against Alcorn State as UAB rushed for 302 yards and had six players with at least 35 rushing yards. Lee Beebe Jr. paced UAB with 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His 82 rushing yards were the most of any back in the AAC in Week 1.
Quarterback Jacob Zeno got his senior campaign off to a great start by completing 23-of-32 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Coming off a 2023 season in which he set the school record for completions (279) and completion percentage (73.6), Zeno's opening performance has set himself up nicely to pace towards those numbers again this season.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kam Shanks had a breakout game in the season opener with 171 all-purpose yards, including three punt returns for 98 yards and a 57-yard punt return touchdown. He also led the Blazers in catches (6) and yards (73).
Defensively, UAB was lights out against Alcorn, allowing only 177 total yards and just 60 through the air. The Blazers compiled five sacks, eight TFL, five pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble and looked the part of a much-improved defense from a season ago.
The Blazers were also very sound in special teams and hopes to carry that into Week 2. Along with the punt return for a touchdown, UAB also blocked a punt, was perfect on FG/PAT, had a 64-yard punt and was tremendous on kickoff coverage.
The Warhawks scored the final 16 points against Jackson State to pull away for the 30-14 victory. Vincent has completely overhauled the roster from last season by introducing 73 new players to the team in 2024, which is the third most in the nation.
One of those new players, Wydett Williams Jr., was voted the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week after tallying 10 tackles and an interception in the win.

Following the ULM contest, UAB heads to Fayetteville, Ark., for a contest at Arkansas of the SEC. Kickoff against the Razorbacks is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network.

Season tickets remain on sale and can be purchased by clicking here, along with single game tickets.

For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

UAB and ULM Square Off Saturday Night in Monroe

Players Mentioned

Lee Beebe Jr.

Kam Shanks

Jacob Zeno

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