Wednesday, August 29, 2018

UAB Football Opens 2018 Season on Thursday Against Savannah State

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --  On the heels of its historic return to the field last year, the UAB football team opens the 2018 season this Thursday, Aug. 30 against Savannah State at Legion Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Savannah State (0-0)
Where: Legion Field - Birmingham, Ala.
When: 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ ($)
On the Call: Mike Grace (play-by-play), Scot Harrison (color)
Listen: WJQX 100.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
Series: First Meeting




STORYLINES:
  • The Blazers tallied a program-record eight wins last season and are poised for more success this year with a host of returning veteran talent.
     
  • UAB is one of the most experienced teams in the country. The Blazers return the most offensive starters in country with 10 and have the most players in the nation who have already graduated (19). Furthermore, UAB ranks second nationally with 20 total returning starters, while its 36 seniors on the roster are also the second most in the nation.
     
  • Sophomore running back Spencer Brown headlines the offense after being named UAB's first-ever FWAA Freshman All-America honoree last year. Brown rushed for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman. Entering his sophomore campaign, he needs 1,488 yards to become UAB's all-time leading rusher.
     
  • Brown will be running behind a veteran offensive line which features four seniors and junior center Lee Dufour. Dufour, James Davis and Justice Powers started all 13 games last year, while right guard Malique Johnson started 10 and left guard Rishard Cook started four.
     
  • UAB finished 41st nationally last year in total defense and looks to be even more disruptive this season. The defensive front is anchored by interior linemen Anthony Rush and Garrett Marino, while linebacker Fitzgerald Mofor returns for his junior year after compiling 71 tackles in 2017, the third most on the team. Free safety Broderick Thomas headlines the defense as the All-America candidate had 95 tackles last year to go along with two interceptions and three tackles for loss.
     
  • A win against Savannah State would extend UAB's FBS school record home winning streak to seven games. The Blazers were 6-0 at home last year and look to build upon that success this season. The overall record for consecutive home wins is eight straight that split the 1995 (FCS) and 1996 (FBS) seasons, while UAB also won seven straight at home as Division III members from 1991-92.
     
  • This is the first meeting between UAB and Savannah State. The Blazers have won their last two season openers, which includes a 38-7 victory over Alabama A&M last season and a 48-10 victory over Troy in 2014.
     
  • Erik Raeburn enters his third year as the head coach of Savannah State. The Tigers, who finished 3-8 last season, open the season with four consecutive road games starting with the Blazers, and follow that up with trips to Miami (FL), Howard and Florida A&M.
     
  • SSU returns senior defensive end Stefen Banks, who had a monster season in 2017 with 18.0 TFL and 10.0 sacks.
 
TICKETS:
 
Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale by clicking here. Season tickets are the most affordable option if planning to attend UAB's six home games this season. Call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 for additional questions.
 
HOW TO WATCH:
 
The game will air on ESPN+ which is the newest platform ESPN is offering this season. Fans can purchase ESPN+ for $4.99 a month and can click here for a seven-day free trial. UAB's Week 2 game at Coastal Carolina will also be on ESPN+ and the Blazers will play on that platform five times this season.
 
FOLLOW:
 
For pregame, in-game and postgame information and updates, follow @UAB_FB and @UAB_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and like UAB Athletics on Facebook. Additional information on everything involving gameday from the moment fans leave their house to the minute they return can be found by visiting www.blazergameday.com, following @BlazerGameday on Twitter and Instagram and liking Blazer Gameday on Facebook. 

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