Former UAB Players Across College Football: Week 1

A new feature that you will see throughout this year is one that most of you wish we did not have to go through. Let's take a look around the scene of college football and highlight the performances of all the past UAB players that will undoubtedly have a great deal of success at their present schools.

Jordan Howard had a huge day for Indiana in a comeback victory, Bobby Baker played a part in five turnovers to garner Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors, South Alabama used a large UAB contingent to win its opener, and many other former Blazers made an impact in their first games with new programs.

Indiana: Running back Jordan Howard was the star of the show for the Hoosiers, as he carried the ball 20 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner with 58 seconds to play. He also caught two passes for 25 yards. Marqui Hawkins is on the team, but did not play in the 48-47 victory over Southern Illinois.

Georgia State: Safety Bobby Baker earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors after intercepting two passes and recovering three fumbles. He also tied for second on the team with eight tackles in Georgia State's 23-20 loss to Charlotte. Linebacker Alonzo McGee made five tackles. Wide receiver Nyiakki Height caught a pass for 14 yards. Demarco Davis, Kelepi Folau, and Demarcus Kirk did not play in the game.

South Alabama: A host of former UAB players followed offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent and tight ends coach Richard Owens to the Sun Belt school. Starters on Saturday included receivers Josh Magee and D.J. Vinson, quarterback Cody Clements, tight end Gerald Everett, right guard Cameron Blankenship, and defensive back Kalen Jackson. Clements completed 14-of-25 throws for 184 yards, two scores and two picks. One of those touchdowns was to Everett, who caught four passes for 75 yards. Vinson had four receptions for 22 yards and Magee caught an 11-yard pass. Jackson tied for second on the team with nine tackles, as the Jaguars knocked off Gardner-Webb 33-23. Kyle Sappington played in the game but linebacker John Robinson did not.

Western Kentucky: Starting linebacker T.J. McCollum led Western Kentucky with eight tackles in its 14-12 over Vanderbilt. Defensive tackle Jontavius Morris registered five tackles (three solo) and one for a two-yard loss as a starter for the Hilltoppers on Thursday night. WKU plays Louisiana Tech next week, and head coach Skip Holtz called McCollum and Morris "two of their better players" on the defense, according to Zach Greenwell of the Bowling Green Daily News.

Samford: Linebacker Derek Slaughter had five tackles (three solo) in Samford's 46-13 victory over Central Arkansas on Thursday night. Hayden Naumann also started at offensive guard for the Bulldogs.

Delta State: Wide receiver Darius Powell started and caught two passes for 33 yards in Delta State's 48-7 victory against Fort Valley State.

Georgia: Jake Ganus got the start at MIKE linebacker for the Bulldogs, and recorded three tackles in a 51-14 win over ULM.

Montana State: Desman Carter started in the secondary and forced a fumble in Montana State's 45-14 win over Fort Lewis.

Sam Houston State: Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe did not start the game for the Bearkats, but played quite a bit in a 59-45 loss to Texas Tech. Briscoe completed 18-of-24 passes for 176 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He also gained 16 yards on four rush attempts.

Oklahoma State: A two-year starter at UAB, Victor Salako started at left tackle for the Cowboys in their 24-13 win over Central Michigan.

Buffalo: Wide receiver Collin Lisa hauled in three passes for 56 yards in Buffalo's 51-14 win over Albany. He also returned two punts for 23 yards. Safety Jordan Collier played in the game and suffered a scary neck injury, as he was taken off the field in an ambulance.

UT Martin: Defensive tackle Parrish Huddleston made two tackles, including one for a loss in the Skyhawks' 76-3 loss to Ole Miss. Linebacker Ervin Alston recorded three tackles in the game. Wide receiver Rodarius Houston played in the game, but did not break onto the stat sheet.

Louisville: Wide receiver Jamari Staples did not play in the Cardinals' season-opening loss to Auburn due to a knee injury.

North Dakota: Ja'Won Arrington ran the ball four times for 11 yards in North Dakota's 24-13 win over Wyoming.

Jacksonville State: Defensive end Joseph Roberts played for the Gamecocks and picked up three tackles in their 23-20 win over Chattanooga.

Coastal Carolina: Daniel Anousheh started at left guard for the now-top ranked team in FCS. The Chanticleers knocked off Furman 38-35.

Arkansas State: Robert Mondie got the start at defensive tackle for the Red Wolves in their 55-6 loss to USC.

Murray State: Long snapper Wes Drewery saw game action in his team's 52-12 win over Kentucky Wesleyan.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Jamal Hundley, Scottie Peace, and Josh Smith all played in the 35-7 loss to South Carolina State. Hundley and Smith each made a tackle. Cameron Willis did not participate in the game.

Richmond: Linebacker David Norris played in the game for the Spiders, but did not record any statistics.

Georgia Southern: Roscoe Byrd started at right guard for Georgia Southern in its 44-0 loss to West Vriginia.

Kansas: Wide receiver Quincy Perdue did not play in the Jayhawks' 41-38 loss to South Dakota State.

Old Dominion: Defensive back Devon Brown did not play in the Monarchs' 38-34 win over Eastern Michigan.

Chattanooga: Tight end Steven Pickren participated in the game but recorded no stats. Offensive lineman Hunter Kennedy did not see the field.

Troy: Cornerback LaMarcus Farmer played in the Trojans' 49-21 loss to NC State, but did not make an impact on the game.

Jackson State: Offensive lineman Vincent Hunter did not play in Jackson State's 70-14 defeat to Middle Tennessee.

San Diego State: Offensive lineman Ryan Krum did not play in the Aztecs' 37-3 victory against San Diego.

Tennessee State: Tight end Rodney Morris played in the game but was not a factor, as TSU beat Alabama State 24-14.

Toledo: Toledo's game against Stony Brook was suspended at halftime due to weather. Safety Rolan Milligan plays for the Rockets.

This is a comprehensive list of where all the former Blazers stand now. From here on out, this segment will hit the highlights of the weekend.

Did I miss anyone? Is there anything else you'd like to know about the former Blazers? Follow me on Twitter @KyleParmley and let me know.