The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Take On East Carolina In Key C-USA Contest
11/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- With victories in its last three games, the UAB football team will be looking to gain a share of the Conference USA East Division lead Saturday when the Blazers take on the East Carolina Pirates in Greenville, N.C.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Saturday, and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network broadcast of the game will be televised in Birmingham on ABC 33/40.
Since losing at Marshall Oct. 24, UAB (5-5, 4-2 C-USA) has reeled off wins in three consecutive games (UTEP, Florida Atlantic and Memphis). A win Saturday against the Pirates would not only bring the Blazers even with ECU, it would also make UAB bowl-eligible with a sixth victory.
The Blazers will be facing an East Carolina (6-4, 5-1) team that ranks first in Conference USA in total defense (350.7 ypg) and scoring defense (21.4 ppg). UAB is fourth in the league in total offense (406.4 ypg) and is coming off a 487-yard performance against Memphis last Saturday in a 31-21 win.
The Blazers will face a challenge Saturday when they go against the Pirate defense.
"Defensively, they start with their defensive front," said UAB head coach Neil Callaway. "They're big, physical guys. They're going to try to dominate the line of scrimmage whether you're running the ball or throwing the football, so that makes it critical for you to execute the other parts of your offense. They're a very good defensive football team, particularly up front."
UAB quarterback Joe Webb will lead the Blazer offense that ranks No. 9 in the NCAA in rushing average per game at 228.1. In the past two games, Webb has been outstanding as he has accounted for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns with no turnovers.
East Carolina has won five straight conference games at home and has limited its last four C-USA opponents to an average of only 55 rushing yards per game.
UAB will be seeking its third straight conference road win and its fifth away from home in the past six league games.
The Blazers and Pirates will be meeting for the ninth time with the series tied at 4-4. ECU edged UAB last season in Birmingham, 17-13.
The game will also be carried on the Blazers ISP Sports Network and can be heard in the Birmingham area on flagship station WUHT-FM 107.7 with David Crane (play-by-play) and Jake Arians (color) on the call. The pregame show will begin 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
