UAB Hits the Road to Take on Louisiana

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB hits the road for the second time this season Saturday night when the Blazers travel to Lafayette to face Louisiana at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The matchup renews an even 4-4 all-time seriesand marks UAB's first trip to Lafayette since 2002. The Blazers enter at 1-1 after rallying from a 10-point second-half deficit to defeat ULM 26-20, while Louisiana is also 1-1 following a 49-30 loss at No. 14 USC.

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup	UAB (1-1) at Louisiana (1-1)
Date	Saturday, Sept. 19
Kickoff	7 p.m. CT
Location	Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium - Lafayette, Louisiana
Television	ESPN+
Live Stream Link	Watch ESPN
Television Crew	Dan McDonald (play-by-play), Eric Mouton (analyst)
Radio	WJOX-FM 94.5 (listen at joxfm.com or thevarsitynetwork.com)
UAB Radio Crew	David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series	Series Tied 4-4
Live Stats	Louisiana StatBroadcast
Social Media	X \| Instagram \| Facebook

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

CONTROL THE GROUND GAME — This matchup features two offenses that have established themselves on the ground. UAB is averaging 230.0 rushing yards per game, while Louisiana enters at 194.5. The Blazers rushed for 266 yards against ULM, led by Rod Robinson II's 114, while Louisiana has scored eight of its nine offensive touchdowns on the ground.

CONTAIN LUNCH WINFIELD — Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield presents a true dual-threat challenge. Through two games, he has completed 32-of-44 passes (72.7 percent) for 401 yards while leading the Cajuns with 175 rushing yards and three touchdowns. At USC, he threw for 212 yards and rushed for 91 yards and two scores.

THIRD DOWN COULD TELL THE STORY — UAB has converted 20-of-34 third downs (58.8 percent), including 10 conversions in each of its first two games. Louisiana is just 6-of-18 (33.3 percent) offensively on third down and has allowed opponents to convert 18-of-28 (64.3 percent). That creates one of the more pronounced statistical contrasts in Saturday's matchup.

NO-FLY ZONE — UAB enters Saturday ranked 11th nationally in passing defense, allowing just 119.0 yards per game. The Blazers held ULM to only 56 passing yards and have surrendered 238 through two games. Louisiana, meanwhile, averages 221.5 passing yards per game.

KEEP FEEDING THE BACKFIELD — Robinson and Bam McReynolds combined for 197 rushing yards on 37 carries against ULM as UAB wore down the Warhawks with 52 rushing attempts. UAB has already accumulated 460 rushing yards through two games.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE — Louisiana has already intercepted four passes and carries a +2 turnover margin, while UAB is at -2 through two games. The Blazers generated their first takeaway of the season when Ike Esonwune intercepted ULM in the fourth quarter.

FINISH LIKE LAST WEEK — UAB trailed ULM 20-10 before scoring the game's final 16 points, including a 13-0 fourth quarter. The Blazer defense allowed only three points after halftime and 257 total yards for the game.

POINTS MAY COME FROM THE LEGS — The teams have combined for 10 rushing touchdowns compared with only three passing touchdowns through two games. Louisiana has eight rushing scores, while UAB has two. The Cajuns have been particularly effective on the ground, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

AUTOMATIC DELANGE — Jonah Delange gives UAB an advantage when drives stall. The American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week is a perfect 7-for-7 on field goals through two games, while the Blazers as a team have yet to miss a field goal this season.

24 YEARS IN THE MAKING — This is UAB's first game in Lafayette since Sept. 21, 2002 and only its fourth trip there in program history. UAB is 1-2 at Louisiana, with its lone victory coming in a 42-7 win in 1997.

A CHANCE TO SNAP THE STREAK — The series is tied 4-4, but Louisiana has won the last three meetings. UAB's last victory over the Cajuns came in 2000, a 47-2 win at Legion Field.

FAMILIAR FACES IN LAFAYETTE — There are connections all over this matchup. UAB cornerbacks coach Lionel Stokes was a two-year starter at Louisiana and later coached there during two different stints, while punter Badger Hargett is a Lafayette native. Ty Mims is 2-0 against the Cajuns from his Southern Miss career, and Bam McReynolds will play in Lafayette for the fourth time with his third different school.

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