UAB Blazers at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Preview and Prediction

Location: Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, LA

Date: October 31, 2:30 p.m.

TV: Stadium

Radio: WJOX 94.5 FM

Series History: Louisiana Tech leads 5-3 but UAB has won the last three

Matchup Preview

The UAB Blazers are back in action this Saturday to take on Louisiana Tech in a spooky Halloween matchup, the first Halloween game in Ruston since 1998.

Although one could say last week’s games were horrific for both squads as they each gave up double digit leads in the second half. But both teams can turn those tricks into a treat with a victory Saturday to help cement their place in the C-USA West.

UAB’s defense will work to continue their dominant streak of three straight games of keeping teams under 300 total yards of offense and six straight games holding offenses under 200 passing yards.

It will be interesting to see if the Blazers can do it since Louisiana Tech is last in the C-USA in rushing yards per game at 99.2, so you know they will be throwing the ball a lot.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Fortunately for La Tech they have plenty of playmakers they will try to get the ball to in Smoke Harris, a 5’6” speedster, Cee Jay Powell, Isaiah Graham and Adrian Hardy.

Luke Anthony, who will lead the La Tech offense, has thrown for 1,065 yards, 12 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 63.5.

For Spencer Brown and the UAB offense, they will have the task of carving up the La Tech defense that gives up 139.2 yards per game on the ground.

The offensive line seems up to the task though, as they have made many holes for Spencer Brown and the run game, averaging 184.8 and only allowing three sacks.

Brycen Lucero will need to clean up his game as the Bulldog defense has forced an interception in 10 of it’s last 11 games. Five different Bulldog defenders have intercepted a pass this year, including a pick-6 by Ezekiel Barnett last week.

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Blazer fans should also keep an eye out for Trey Baldwin, who set an Alamodome record last week with 18 tackles in the loss to UTSA. Baldwin is also 12th in the nation in tackles per game with 11.4. Freshman Tyler Grubbs (team’s leader in tackles with 63) rounds out an exceptional linebacking corps.

Prediction

It will be a very interesting matchup as both teams are very evenly matched on paper and, considering the last three matchups have all been decided by one possession has me believing that the same will happen Saturday. However, I think UAB has the slight defensive edge and their offensive line has been playing well all year.

UAB will head into Ruston with a defense ready to dish out some vicious tricks and the offense will score enough points to treat the UAB faithful. The Blazers will head home with a two game lead in the division with three to play.

UAB 35, La Tech 21