UAB and Florida Atlantic Clash Saturday on Homecoming

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team begins its stretch run of the 2023 season this Saturday as the Blazers host Florida Atlantic at Protective Stadium for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.

The Blazers (2-6) enter Saturday's contest needing a win to stay in the hunt for bowl eligibility and will need to win each of their last four games to extend their streak of bowl eligible seasons to eight. Florida Atlantic (4-4) is coming off a 38-16 victory at Charlotte and sits at 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the league standings.

Who: UAB (2-6, 1-3 AAC) vs. Florida Atlantic (4-4, 3-1 AAC)
Where: Birmingham, Ala. – Protective Stadium
When: Saturday, Nov. 4 – 2 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Jack Benjamin (play-by-play), Brian Kinchen (analyst)
Listen: 94.5 WJOX
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: Florida Atlantic leads, 6-3
Last Meeting: Oct. 29, 2022 – Florida Atlantic, 24-17

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The Blazers have faced one of the most challenging schedules in the country as the FBS opponents they have played to this point have a combined record of 41-15 (73.2%). Every FBS team UAB has played is at or above .500. UAB's remaining four opponents currently have a combined record of 12-19.
UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno returns to the lineup after missing the Memphis game with a concussion. Zeno has now had three weeks to recover and is fully healthy as he looks to continue his record-setting season.
Zeno continues to be one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the nation, ranking fifth in completion percentage at 74.4%. His 27.0 completions per game are tied for third most nationally and he is 54 completions away from setting the UAB single season record in that category.
His backfield mate Jermaine Brown Jr. continues to play at an elite level and is tied for the AAC lead in rushing touchdowns (9). Brown Jr. is averaging 115.8 all-purpose yards per game this season and has found a new gear over the last five games in which he has averaged 144.6 all-purpose yards per game.
The fifth-year senior is 268 yards shy of setting the school record for career all-purpose yards and needs 56 yards on Saturday to move into second place. Along with currently ranking third at UAB in all-purpose yards (4,402), Brown Jr. is fifth in rushing (2,685), tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (27) and third in both receptions (80) and receiving yards (644) by a running back.
Saturday's game also features a slew of elite wide receivers. UAB will have to contend with LaJohntay Wester, who leads the nation in receptions per game (9.5). Wester has 76 catches for 785 yards and is also lethal in the return game as he leads the nation in punt return average (22.6) with 10 returns for 226 yards and one touchdown.
However, UAB's top two receivers in Amare Thomas and Tejhaun Palmer are also producing at a high level. Thomas has a team-best 38 catches and needs 11 more to become the freshman school record holder in that category. Palmer has 27 receptions and leads the team in receiving yards (430) and receiving touchdowns (4).
The Owls have the AAC's fourth ranked scoring defense, allowing 23.9 points per game and are allowing opponents an average of 389.8 yards per game. UAB currently has averages of 29 points and 431.8 yards per game.
UAB's defense is tied for second nationally in fumbles recovered with nine. However, FAU has only lost two fumbles this season but has thrown 12 interceptions. Both teams are -1 in turnover margin and the turnover battle will be key in the outcome of Saturday's game.

Tickets to Saturday's game can be purchased by clicking here.

Following the game against Florida Atlantic, UAB heads north to face Navy next Saturday, Nov. 11, on Veterans Day. Kickoff in Annapolis is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.

UAB and Florida Atlantic Clash Saturday on Homecoming

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Players Mentioned

Jermaine Brown Jr.

Tejhaun Palmer

Amare Thomas

Jacob Zeno

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics