UAB and Southern Miss Square Off in Pivotal C-USA Showdown

BIRMINGHAM - Major Conference USA championship implications are on the line this Saturday, Nov. 9, when the UAB football team travels to Hattiesburg to face rival Southern Miss. Kick at M.M. Roberts Stadium is slated for 2:30 p.m. CST on NFL Network.

Both teams enter the contest with a league record of 3-1. The Blazers finish the season with all C-USA west division opponents and control their own destiny to once again earn a berth into the title game.

Who: UAB (6-2, 3-1 C-USA) at Southern Miss (5-3, 3-1 C-USA)
Where: Hattiesburg, Miss. - M.M. Roberts Stadium
When: Saturday, Nov. 9 - 2:30 p.m. CST
Watch: NFL Network
On the Call: Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (color), Ashley Stroehlein (sideline)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
Series: Southern Miss leads, 10-7
Last Meeting: Nov. 10, 2018: UAB 26-23 (OT)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

UAB has won three straight and seven of the last eight meetings against Southern Miss. Last year's game was a 26-23 overtime victory, highlighted by Spencer Brown's 17-yard run to secure UAB's berth in the Conference USA championship game.
UAB has specifically been good at M.M. Roberts Stadium as each of the last four trips to Hattiesburg resulted in Blazer victories. In each of the last three, UAB has had a running back rush for over 200 yards (Darrin Reaves - 223 yards in 2012; Jordan Howard - School record 262 yards in 2014; Spencer Brown - 209 yards in 2017).
The Blazers continue to play lights out on defense. UAB is ranked No. 5 nationally in total defense for a second straight week. Additionally, the Blazers rank second nationally in fumble recoveries (12), 6th in third down defense (.284), 6th in passing yards allowed (162.9), 9th in tackles for loss per game (8.4), 10th in rushing defense (92.4) and 10th in sacks per game (3.50).
The defense looks to continue its dominance within league play. In four C-USA games, UAB has allowed a league-low 224.2 yards against and 17.0 points per game. Conversely, Southern Miss is averaging 470.8 yards and 31.5 points per game in C-USA action.
Kristopher Moll is averaging a C-USA best 10.8 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss per game in league play, and also ranks 5th in sacks per game (0.88). Moll is a candidate for Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and is the catalyst for UAB's top ranked defense.
Moll isn't the only player causing havoc up front for the Blazers. On the edge, Jordan Smith is also putting together an All-Conference worthy season with 30 total tackles, 11.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks, six QBH and two forced fumbles. On the interior line, Garrett Marino and Tony Fair have combined for 11.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. Fair is coming off a six tackle, two TFL performance at Tennessee.
Offensively, Saturday's game features four of C-USA's top 10 leaders in receiving yards per game, including the top two in USM's Quez Watkins and UAB's Austin Watkins Jr. In six games, Quez Watkins has compiled 697 yards (116.2/game), while Austin Watkins Jr. is second with 689 yards (86.1/game).
Running back Lucious Stanley scored his sixth total touchdown of the season last week at Tennessee with a 15-yard reception. He now shares a team-high six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) with wide receiver Kendall Parham who has six receiving touchdowns.
UAB is 25-10 since returning to action in 2017 and 17-5 since the start of the 2018 season. Both of those marks are tops in C-USA.

Following the Southern Miss game, UAB has two straight contests at Legion Field where the Blazers have won 16-straight and own the nation's fifth longest active home winning streak.

The Blazers will host UTEP on Nov. 16 for their annual Salute to Service game at 12 p.m., followed by welcoming Louisiana Tech on Nov. 23.

Fans can help support the Tickets for Troops initiative by donating a $10 ticket which will then be distributed through VetTix to military members and their families. To donate, click here and use the promo code: TFT

UAB and Southern Miss Square Off in Pivotal C-USA Showdown

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Players Mentioned

Spencer Brown

Tony Fair

Garrett Marino

Kristopher Moll

Kendall Parham

Jordan Smith

Lucious Stanley

Austin Watkins Jr.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics