A pair of programs coming off season opening victories take to the gridiron when a member of Conference USA takes on one of the remaining independent programs in the FBS. The UAB Blazers are on the road as they travel up the east coast to face the Liberty Flames Saturday evening. UAB won their season opener as they took down Alabama A&M by a 59-0 count at home last Thursday. Liberty managed to survive a wild game with Southern Miss, prevailing 29-27 in quadruple overtime on the road last Saturday. These teams have met just once as FBS opponents with the Flames rolling to a 36-12 road win on October 2, 2021.
UAB opened the post-Bill Clark era with a one-sided victory as they demolished Alabama A&M in their season opener last week. The Blazers now try to go on the road and avenge a beating that they took last year at the hands of the Flames. UAB took the lead after going 70 yards in eight plays after taking the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The Blazers were up 28-0 after the opening quarter of play and cruised the rest of the way. UAB held a commanding 478-235 edge in total offense, picked up 25 first downs while allowing 15 and forced four takeaways while committing only one turnover. Time of possession was even at 30 minutes apiece though UAB did score on a blocked punt return and a pick-six.
Dylan Hopkins got the start under center for the Blazers and completed 13 of 18 throws for 191 yards plus a score. Jacob Zeno was five of nine passing for 56 yards wi th one touchdown and one interception. Jermaine Brown Jr. led the way on the ground with 10 carries for 114 yards plus a score. Lee Witherspoon (eight carries, 53 yards, two TD), Taven Curry (eight carries, 41 yards, TD) and Lee Beebe (three carries, 32 yards) were solid contributors in the run game for UAB, who totaled 231 yards and four scores on the ground in the contest. Tejhuan Palmer (57 yards) and TJ Jones (55 yards) each reeled in four passes to lead the team. Bryce Damous (one reception, 25 yards) and Terrell McDonald (two catches, 16 yards) each caught touchdown passes in the victory. Mac McWilliams added a 78-yard pick-six for UAB in the contest. Matt Quinn connected on all eight of his extra point attempts and his lone field goal attempt, which came from 51 yards, in the victory.