UAB and UTEP Clash on Saturday at Legion Field

BIRMINGHAM - In its annual Salute to Service game, the UAB football team hosts UTEP on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Legion Field. Kick is slated for 12 p.m. CST on ESPN3.

UAB returns to Legion Field where the Blazers have won 16 in-a-row and own the nation's fourth longest active home winning streak. UAB has not lost in Birmingham since returning to action in 2017.

Saturday is also the third annual Salute to Service game in which UAB honors our military members. Fans can participate by donating a $10 ticket to the Tickets for Troops initiative which will then be distributed to a military member through VetTix. To donate, click here and use the promo code: TFT

For more information on Saturday's Salute to Service game, click here.

Who: UAB (6-3, 3-2 C-USA) vs. UTEP (1-8, 0-6 C-USA)
Where: Birmingham, Ala. - Legion Field
When: Saturday, Nov. 16 - 12 p.m. CST
Watch: ESPN3
On the Call: Curt Bloom (play-by-play), Chad Pilcher (color)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
Series: UAB leads, 5-1
Last Meeting: Oct. 28, 2018 - UAB 19-0

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

UAB has been dominant during its 16-game home winning streak, outscoring its opponents by a grand total of 546-238. The Blazers have averaged 34.1 points per game at home during that stretch while allowing just 14.9 points.
This year has been no different. In four games thus far, UAB has a 132-57 scoring advantage for an average of 33 points for and 14.3 points against.
The Blazers have not played at Legion Field in a month and welcome home field advantage as UAB looks to snap a two-game losing streak. Both losses have come on the road at Tennessee and Southern Miss.
Defensive Coordinator David Reeves was named a nominee for the Broyles Award for a second-consecutive season on Wednesday, which is annually presented to college football's top assistant coach. Reeves' unit is currently ranked 6th nationally in total defense. The Blazers had to replace eight starters on defense from a group that finished 9th nationally in total defense last season and has not missed a beat in 2019.
Along with being 6th in total defense, the Blazers rank 2nd nationally in fumble recoveries (13), 4th in third down defense (.277) and 6th in passing yards allowed (163.0), sacks per game (3.56) and tackles for loss per game (8.4).
Offensively, quarterback Dylan Hopkins will make his second career start. Hopkins' first career start was a tough assignment going into a rivalry game on the road. He finished 15-of-25 for 103 yards and two interceptions at Southern Miss.
Wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. is 237 yards shy of 1,000. He if can reach the 1,000-yard mark, he would become just the third player in program history to achieve that milestone. Only Derrick Ingram (1,457 yards in 1994; 1,115 yards in 1993) and Roddy White (1,452 yards in 2004) have gone over 1,000 receiving yards.
UTEP is coming off a heartbreaking 28-21 loss at home against Charlotte in a game that they led 21-7 at halftime. The Miners have played the Blazers tough in the two games since UAB returned to action. In 2017, UAB topped UTEP 28-7, and last year the Blazers defeated the Miners 19-0 in El Paso.
To make a return trip to the Conference USA Championship game, the Blazers have to win out and receive help from other teams. Louisiana Tech is 5-0 in the league, while Southern Miss is 4-1. La. Tech has to lose twice and still has to face the Blazers at Legion Field, while Southern Miss has to find one more loss. If that happens, all three teams would be 6-2 and will have beaten each other.

Following UTEP, the Blazers remain at Legion Field to host Louisiana Tech on Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. The Bulldogs are currently leading Conference USA at 8-1 overall and 5-0 in league play.

For tickets to Saturday's game, click here or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.

UAB and UTEP Clash on Saturday at Legion Field

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Players Mentioned

Dylan Hopkins

Austin Watkins Jr.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics