UAB Blazers vs. South Alabama Jaguars: Preview, Start Time, Prediction

Game Preview

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Who’s Playing?

UAB Blazers (1-1) vs. South Alabama Jaguars (1-1)

Where at?

Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

When?

Thursday, September, 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Is it on TV?

Yes, ESPN

What if I can’t make it to a TV?

Listen to it on WJOX 94.5 FM in Birmingham. 96.1 and 99.5 FM in Mobile.

Have they played before?

Just once, a 35-3 UAB victory last season.

Who’s Favored?

UAB by 6.

What will the weather be like?

83 degrees and a 70% chance of thunderstorms

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UAB Preview

Thursday’s game will be the second leg of a home and home series that began last season in Birmingham, in which the Blazers won 35-3. It will feature a lot of interesting connections between the schools, which is understandable since they are so close together.

Head Coach Bill Clark was the defensive coordinator there from 2008-2012 and Offensive Coordinator Bryant Vincent was an assistant there from 2011-2013 and offensive coordinator from 2015-2016. UAB also has DL Tyree Turner, who is a grad transfer from South Alabama.

UAB also boasts 10 players from the Mobile area, adding fuel to the fire. There will be some intrigue mixed in as both teams will be with a new starting QB Thursday night.

For the Blazers, thanks to an injury to Tyler Johnston III’s shoulder, Brycen Lucero will make his first career start. Lucero has been decent thus far in his two appearances, raking up stats of 11-21 for 138 yards and a TD.

Photo by Douglas Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

RB Spencer Brown looks to continue his solid start to the season (averaging 100.5 ypg), while moving up the career rushing TDs list. Brown only needs three more touchdowns to set the Blazers’ record. and could very well do so on Thursday.

WR Myron Mitchell also looks to build off his career setting performance at Miami, when he came away with career highs in catches and yards (8-117).

On the defensive side of the ball, Noah Wilder also had a career day against Miami, totaling 15 tackles. He, along with Kris Moll will look to get the Blazer D back on track after giving up 492 yards the last time out.

South Alabama Preview

The Jaguars will have a new quarterback under center when they take the field Thursday night. Steve Campbell announced this week that junior college transfer Chance Lovertich will make his first career start against UAB.

Desmond Trotter had started for the Jaguars up to this point but has been battling a shoulder injury. All signs point that Trotter will play at some point during the game but the offense will begin with Lovertich at the helm.

Lovertich has played in both games this season and has posted decent stats: 20-30, 311 yards and three touchdowns. We will see how he handles the starting role Thursday night.

Rushing might be tough for the Jags, as leading rusher Carlos Davis only averaged 83.5 ypg and is facing a tough Blazer D.

Nick Mobley (24 tackles) leads the Jaguar D against the Blazer offense in what should be an interesting matchup.

Prediction

I think the Jags keep it close but the Blazers and Spencer Brown close it out in the second half.

Blazers 38, Jags 28

Blazer Bulletin

Just another quick note, UAB’s Homecoming game against UTSA will kickoff at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday October 3 at Legion Field. The game will be aired on Stadium.