2025 Season Preview #4: UAB
UAB the University by the Numbers:
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Distance from UConn: 1,109 miles
- Stadium: Protective Stadium
- Field Type: FieldTurf
- Capacity: 47,100 (64th nationally)
- Enrollment: 13,547 (105th nationally)
- 2024 Record: 3-9 (2-6 AAC)
- Last Bowl: 2022 Bahamas Bowl (24-20 W Miami OH)
- All-Time Bowl Record: 3-3
- 2024 Attendance: 19,167 (100th nationally)
- All-Time Series: 1-0 UConn
- Last Meeting: 2024 at UAB
- Returning Starters: 8 (4 offense, 4 defense)
- Returning Lettermen: 28
2025 Schedule:
- 8/28 Alabama State (Thu)
- 9/6 at Navy
- 9/13 Akron
- 9/20 at Tennessee
- 10/4 Army
- 10/11 at FAU
- 10/18 Memphis
- 11/1 at UConn
- 11/8 at Rice
- 11/15 North Texas
- 11/22 USF
- 11/29 at Tulsa
Last Time Here: First Time Here
Last Meeting: 2024 - UConn 31-23 W
2024 UAB the football team by the Numbers:
- Offensive yards per game: 392.5 (58th nationally)
- Passing yards per game: 261.6 (33rd)
- Rushing yards per game: 130.9 (95th)
- Points per game: 26.2 (79th)
- 3rd Down Efficiency: 38.0% (91st)
- 4th Down Efficiency: 46.2% (99th)
- Interceptions-Yards-TD: 8-181-1
- Fumbles: Number-Lost: 21-9
- Red Zone Success: 79.5% (101st)
- Defensive Yards Allowed per Game: 393.2 (94th)
- Passing Yards Allowed per Game: 180.3 (17th)
- Rushing Yards Allowed per Game: 212.9 (125th)
- Points Allowed per Game: 34.3 (119th)
- 3rd Down Efficiency: 41.4% (88th)
- 4th Down Efficiency: 55.6% (81st)
- Red Zone Success Allowed: 85.7% (86th)
PFF Predictions:
- Wins: 5.4
- Chance to Make Bowl: 47%
- SoS: 93rd
- Chance to Win AAC: 3%
- Chance to Make CFP: <1%
Last Meeting: 2024 UConn (31-23 W)
After falling behind by 17 at the half, the Huskies roared back in the 2nd half for the victory. Each team traded FGs in the 1st quarter, then the rain started falling in Birmingham. Jalen Kitna’s pass was intercepted by Cam Chadwick, but on the ensuing drive, TJ Sheffield fumbled after a nine yard gain, giving the ball back to the Blazers, who would then kick another FG to take a 6-3 lead. Evers was then intercepted throwing deep to Skyler Bell, and this team Kitna made them pay, hitting Corri Milliner for a 38 yard TD pass, extending the lead to ten. Lee Beebe Jr then hit paydirt on a 25 yard TD run with :20 remaining in the half to make it a 17 point lead.
Evers would lead his only TD drive of the day coming out of the half, a 15 play, 75 yard drive, culminating with a Durell Robinson one yard TD rush. After another UAB FG, Evers would get knocked out of the game, injured a run, which would end up being his last playing time of the season. Joe Fagnano came in in relief and led UConn to a TD, a six yard dart to Shamar Porter. The Huskies got the ball at their own 42, and a horse collar tackle on UAB’s Michael Moore set things up nicely. On the next drive, Kitna would fumble on a rush, and Jack Barton recovered, giving Fagnano the ball at the Blazers’ 21. He found Jasaiah Gathings on a great corner pass, right where only Gathings could catch it, and the Huskies had their first lead at 24-23.
The defense stepped up, forcing a three-and-out, then Cam Edwards put an exclamation point on the day with a 48 yard TD run, to give the Huskies their 7th win, and matched the largest comeback victory of the FBS era, tying with a 2003 win over Western Michigan.
2025 UAB
Trent Dilfer’s seat in 2025 should start off pretty warm. The former NFL QB has gone 4-8 and 3-9 in his first two seasons taking over for Bill Clark. An explosive offense in 2023 took a dip the next year, despite having QB Jacob Zeno returning. He was hurt after their fourth game, allowing Kitna to take over. He had 2,209 yards, 17 TDs but 11 picks in eight starts. Five of those interceptions came in his first two starts against Tulane and Army, but settled down. Zeno transferred out, so the job is Kitna’s. He’ll look to keep the turnovers down, but he will be working with almost an entirely new set of receivers.
Only Milliner returns from last season’s squad at receiver. Milliner had 416 yards last year as a redshirt freshman, and three TDs, including one against the Huskies. Dilfer hit the portal hard at the position, adding former Ohio State/Iowa WR Kaleb Brown, who had 233 yards over two seasons in Iowa City. Former Independence JUCO WR Jailen Holmes also joins after spending a year at Oregon State, playing in just one game. DII Wingate’s Evan McCray and his 1,198 yards over three seasons also joins. At TE, FIU’s Antonio Ferguson should take over after totaling 90 yards last season for the Panthers. There isn’t a lot of experience, but Dilfer believes it’s a deeper unit.
At RB, the Blazers still have Isaiah Jacobs, the brother of former Alabama RB and current Las Vegas Raider Josh Jacobs. Jacobs has struggled with injuries, playing in just five in 2023, and four last season. In those four games, he rushed for 162 yards on 41 carries. Beebe led the squad last year with 884 yards, but he is gone to Indiana. UAB adds Jevon Jackson from UTEP, who had 754 yards last season for the Miners. Keeping Jacobs healthy will be key, as there isn’t much depth behind Jackson.
The offensive line loses a lot from last year, but considering they only helped rush for 1,571 yards and allowed 32 sacks, that may not be the worst thing. They do add transfers, but there is limited FBS experience. At C, Brady Wilson from Norfolk State joins and should anchor the line, as he made 21 starts over three years. At RG, Calib Perez should win the job, coming from Duke where he played in just 11 games over four years. Barry Walker should win the LG job, after playing in one game last year for the Blazers as a true freshman. At tackles, UAB adds Jondarius Moran from South Carolina, and Brandon Sneh from Kansas State. Like the others, they didn’t play much, as Moran played in eight games over three years, and Sneh who never suited up for the Wildcats, leaving after spring ball despite committing in the winter portal period. It’s inexperienced, but it’ll be interesting to see if they can get a solid rotation heading into the last part of the season.
The defensive line was remade using the transfer portal after losing all of their starters. Amorie Morrison from Old Dominion enters, after making 14 starts, 81 tackles, and 12.5 TFLs in four seasons. BC’s Nigel Tate and his nine tackles over four years should take over at NT. At the other tackle spot, Sam Houston’s Denver Warren should win the job after playing in all 13 games with 25 tackles last season. Marshall’s James Smyre played in 15 games over two seasons for the Herd and should start opposite Morrison.
At LB, again, more transfers should feature in the defense. FCS Nicholls’ Eli Ennis and his 28 starts, 200 tackles, and 22.5 TFLs over three seasons enters the mix. Another FCS transfer, Calvin Pitcher, from Idaho State, joins after making 18 starts, 185 tackles, 4 TFLs in four seasons for the Bengals. Maryland’s Perry Fisher rounds out the unit, making ten starts over three seasons for the Terps. The Blazers also add Cincy’s Devin Hightower (5 tackles), and UNLV’s Jeremiah Vessel (10 tackles). They lose highly productive LBs in Everett Roussaw and Michael Moore, so it’ll be tough to replace their 75 and 92 tackles, respectively.
The secondary was also a focus in the portal, adding Grambling’s Donald Lee (36 tackles in three seasons), and Tamarion Crumpley from Pitt (23 games, nine tackles over four years). They also add Tariq Watson from Minnesota, and Delvon Gulley from Alabama A&M. Returnee Sirad Bryant, the Georgia Tech transfer, was the Blazers’ third-leading tackler a year ago, with 60. He, along with FS AJ Brown (31 tackles, 2 TFLs) will lead the unit. It was a position of strength last season, allowing just 180 yards per game, and 54.7% completion rate, and should be again, especially with Bryant returning.
Both starting kicker and punter return from a year ago in AAC Special Teams Player of the Year Jonah Delange, and Patrick Foley. Delange was 21-24 on FGs, and perfect on XPs, including a long of 52. Foley punted 41 times for a net of 37.4, including 11 inside the 20. They should be solid there, but the return game takes a hit as they lose WR Kam Shanks and his 20.6 punt return average, including two TDs. Backup RB Solomon Beebe returns to help with kick return duties, after returning 11 last year for 316 yards with a long of 90.
Prediction:
I’m sorry for Trent Dilfer, but I don’t have the same optimism he has for his squad. They may win more than three, but I don’t think they reach a bowl. With that said, I think the Husky run game will be too strong. They’ll probably put up some points and pass yards, but UConn takes care of business.
UConn 33 UAB 21