Blazers Set to Host Navy Under the Lights on Friday at Protective

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB returns to Protective Stadium Friday night to open American Conference play against Navy at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Blazers enter at 1-2 following a 21-14 loss at Louisiana, while Navy is 1-1 after falling 38-30 at Florida Atlantic. Friday marks the fourth all-time meeting between the programs and the third consecutive season UAB has opened conference play against the Midshipmen. The game will also serve as UAB's annual Salute to Service game.

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup	Navy (1-1) at UAB (1-2)
Date	Friday, Sept. 25
Kickoff	6 p.m. CT
Location	Protective Stadium
Television	ESPN
Live Stream Link	Watch ESPN
Television Crew	Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
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	Navy leads 3-0
Live Stats	UAB StatBroadcast
Social Media	X \| Instagram \| Facebook

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

STRENGTH ON STRENGTH — UAB enters Friday averaging 178.0 rushing yards per game, ranking 51st nationally and seventh in the American. Navy presents the Blazers' toughest test on the ground to date, as the Midshipmen have allowed just 81 rushing yards through two games — 40.5 per game and only 1.3 yards per carry.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RUNNING GAME — Stopping Navy's option attack presents an equally significant challenge. The Midshipmen have rushed for 752 yards in two games, averaging 376.0 yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry, while running the ball on nearly 80 percent of their offensive snaps. UAB enters allowing 192.0 rushing yards per game.

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST AGAINST THE PASS — UAB ranks sixth nationally and first in the American Conference in passing yards allowed, surrendering just 116.0 yards per game. The Blazers have been particularly stingy over their last two games, holding ULM and Louisiana to a combined 166 passing yards without allowing a passing touchdown.

BYARD EVERYWHERE — Linebacker Muaaz Byard has emerged as one of the nation's most productive tacklers with a team-high 30 stops through three games. Byard averages 10.0 tackles per game, ranking 10th nationally and second in the American, while his 6.33 solo tackles per game rank sixth nationally. He has reached double figures in tackles in each of UAB's last two games.

KEEP MOVING THE CHAINS — UAB has converted 47.8 percent of its third downs, ranking 39th nationally and fifth in the American. The Blazers have converted 22 third downs through three games while holding opponents to a 36.4 percent success rate.

ROBINSON'S NEW HOME — Running back Roderick Robinson II leads the Blazers with 225 rushing yards on 48 carries, averaging 75.0 yards per game. Robinson has already rushed for more yards in three games at UAB than he accumulated in three seasons at Georgia (221) and needs 54 yards to reach 500 for his collegiate career.

FINISHING STRONG — UAB has outscored its opponents 33-24 after halftime this season and holds a 27-14 advantage in the fourth quarter. The Blazers shut out Louisiana over the final 30 minutes Saturday, marking UAB's first second-half shutout since Nov. 23, 2024 against Rice.

MIMS MAKING MOVES — Ty Mims has six punt returns for 91 yards, averaging 15.2 yards per return to rank 23rd nationally and third in the American. Mims had his biggest return day of the season at Louisiana, totaling 52 yards on three returns and breaking a 42-yarder, his longest punt return as a Blazer.

DUH-LONG-UH-RANGE — Kicker Jonah Delange remains perfect on the season, connecting on all seven field-goal attempts and six PATs. Delange's 100 percent field-goal rate is tied for first nationally, while his 2.33 field goals per game rank third in the nation and first in the American.

DISRUPTION TRENDING UP — The UAB defense has increased its tackles for loss in each of its first three games, recording two at Illinois, five against ULM and seven at Louisiana. Tylin Jackson leads the Blazers with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, while UAB has collected four sacks over its last two games after recording none in the opener.

TAKING IT AWAY — After going without a takeaway in the season opener, UAB has forced three over its last two games. Ike Esonwune intercepted a pass against ULM before the Blazers recovered two fumbles at Louisiana, including Chris Burge's 13-yard scoop-and-score, UAB's first fumble-return touchdown since 2018.

THREE YEARS, THREE OPENERS — Friday marks the third consecutive season UAB has opened American Conference play against Navy. The Midshipmen won 41-18 at Protective Stadium in 2024 and 38-24 in Annapolis last season. UAB is looking for its first victory in an American opener after joining the conference in 2023.

BREAKING THROUGH AGAINST NAVY — Navy has won each of the first three meetings in the series, beginning with a 31-6 victory in Annapolis in 2023. UAB is also looking for its first victory over a service academy since defeating Army 20-14 on Nov. 20, 2004, having won each of its first five games against service academies before dropping its last five.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS — This will be the 12th Friday game in UAB history. The Blazers are 4-7 all-time on Fridays and will play on Friday for the first time since defeating Miami (Ohio) 24-20 in the 2022 Bahamas Bowl. UAB is 21-20 all-time in games played on days other than Saturday.

WHITE AT HOME — UAB will wear gold helmets, white jerseys and gold pants, marking the 102nd use of the Gold/White/Gold combination — the most-used uniform combination in program history. However, Friday will be the first time UAB has worn Gold/White/Gold at home and only the third time the Blazers have worn white jerseys at home. UAB won each of the previous two games in which it wore white at home.

CAMO BLAZE MAKES HIS DEBUT — UAB's traditional Blaze helmet decal will receive a camouflage makeover as part of the Salute to Service game, with camouflage also incorporated into the front and back helmet bumpers. It is the latest patriotic variation of the Blaze logo after UAB previously wore an American-flag Blaze six times, posting a 4-2 record in those games.

HOME SWEET HOME — Navy senior offensive lineman Hoke Smith II returns to his hometown Friday night. The Birmingham native played at nearby Vestavia Hills High School before attending the Naval Academy and made 12 starts for the Midshipmen in 2025. Smith is one of three Alabama natives on Navy's roster, joining Daveon Jones (Valley Grande) and Bishop Rellah (Pelham).

MARYLAND TO BIRMINGHAM — The Blazers have several connections to Navy's home state. Blanche Gold (Springdale) and Kyrik Mason (Columbia) are Maryland natives, while Muaaz Byard played at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville and Nigel Tate attended Bullis School in Potomac.

SALUTE TO SERVICE — Friday's game is UAB's annual Salute to Service, honoring the men and women who have served the United States. The evening will include special recognitions and tributes to military service members and their families throughout the game.

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