UAB (1-1) at South Alabama (1-1)
Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. CST
Tune In: ESPN or WJOX 94.5 FM
UAB returns to action for another road game against South Alabama. It is a rematch of last year’s game where the Blazers coasted to a 35-3 victory.
This is a not the same South Alabama that finished 2019 with a 2-10 record, however. They have already knocked off one of UAB’s conference rivals, Southern Miss, and pushed a strong Tulane program to the brink before a second half collapse.
South Alabama’s biggest strength is their passing game. Quarterbacks Chance Lovertich and Desmond Trotter have combined to throw over 300 yards in both games. They have a trio of strong receivers that can become a headache for the UAB secondary. If UAB can keep South Alabama out of the air, they can shut down their offense.
Penalties have been a sore spot for the Blazers. The team racked up eight penalties against Central Arkansas and eleven against Miami for 75 yards. In a close game, these mistakes can become the difference maker.
Player to Watch: UAB QB Bryson Lucero
Quarterback may make Thursday’s game. Tyler Johnston III, redshirt junior quarterback, is out with a shoulder injury. This will be the first start for redshirt freshman Bryson Lucero. Lucero, however, has shown off his arm in both of UAB’s games this season throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown.
“Bryson Lucero, and that room of quarterbacks, is doing a good job of filling in,” head coach Bill Clark said. “Bryson, like all our quarterbacks, is a worker, a film studier and a guy that wants to do great.”
This is just the second matchup between the two programs, but many Blazers have ties to the Mobile region. Coach Clark was defensive coordinator for the Jaguars from 2009-12, and nine players on the UAB roster hail from the Mobile area.
The Blazers will be back at Legion Field next week for homecoming against UTSA.
