The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, August 28
Birmingham, AL
7:30 p.m.
UAB
vs
Alabama State
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB Hosts Alabama State on Thursday for 2025 Season Opener
8/26/2025 2:59:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team officially opens the 2025 season this Thursday, Aug. 28, against Alabama State. Kickoff at Protective Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Thursday marks the fifth meeting between the two programs with the series deadlocked at 2-2. UAB and ASU last met to open the 2019 season with the Blazers defeating the Hornets 24-19 in front of 39,165 fans at Legion Field.
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Alabama State (0-0)
Where: Protective Stadium – Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, Aug. 28 – 7:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Doug Sherman (play-by-play), Dave Steckel (analyst), Marie Trivelpiece (sideline)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM | Sirius XM Channel 385
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: Tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: Aug. 29, 2019 – UAB, 24-19
Promotions: Party at Protective - $5 Domestic Beers
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
It will be at Party at Protective with $5 domestic beer specials on Thursday night. Additionally, UAB students will receive a replica jersey koozies at the gate as supplies last.
Season tickets and single game tickets are still available, while parties of 15 or more can purchase discounted group tickets by clicking here.
For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on X and Instagram, and follow UAB Athletics on Facebook and YouTube.
Thursday marks the fifth meeting between the two programs with the series deadlocked at 2-2. UAB and ASU last met to open the 2019 season with the Blazers defeating the Hornets 24-19 in front of 39,165 fans at Legion Field.
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Alabama State (0-0)
Where: Protective Stadium – Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, Aug. 28 – 7:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Doug Sherman (play-by-play), Dave Steckel (analyst), Marie Trivelpiece (sideline)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM | Sirius XM Channel 385
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: Tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: Aug. 29, 2019 – UAB, 24-19
Promotions: Party at Protective - $5 Domestic Beers
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- UAB is 8-0 in season openers since returning to action in 2017 with each contest coming against an FCS opponent. The Blazers are 9-0 in Week 1 dating back to the 2014 season.
- The Blazers' roster features 49 new players with 31 of them coming via the transfer portal. Additionally, UAB's 29 seniors on the roster are tied for the third most nationally.
- Of those 31 players from the transfer portal, 19 have come from the FBS, eight from the FCS, two from junior college and two from Division II. Head Coach Trent Dilfer targeted experience from the portal as those 31 players have combined for 280 career collegiate starts.
- Dilfer will also be introducing a brand-new defensive staff on Thursday headlined by Defensive Coordinator Steve Russ who looks to increase production on that side of the ball from a unit that finished 94th nationally in total defense in 2024.
- Along with other veteran coaches with NFL ties in Sam Mills III and Brent Vieselmeyer, Dilfer also added cornerbacks coach Ryan Lewis Sr. who was Alabama State's Defensive Coordinator for the last three years.
- Last season under Lewis' guidance, the Hornets finished third nationally in total defense (265.0) and were best in the SWAC in scoring defense (16.7), touchdowns allowed (24) and total points (200).
- Jalen Kitna enters 2025 as UAB's full-time starting quarterback and looks to ascend into one of the nation's most elite QBs. Kitna gained valuable experience last season by starting the final eight games of the year and threw for 2,209 yards (276.1/game), 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Kitna has looked sharp throughout camp and has plenty of playmakers surrounding him.
- UAB's backfield is loaded with a trio of talent in sophomore Solomon Beebe and seniors Jevon Jackson (UTEP transfer) and Isaiah Jacobs. Beebe excelled in kickoff return last year and will resume those duties along with seeing an increase in carries, while Jackson ran for 754 yards and four touchdowns at UTEP in 2024. Jacobs is once again fully healthy after suffering a season-ending injury for a second straight year in 2024 and is motivated to prove what he can do throughout a full season.
- Corri Milliner returns the most production from UAB's wide receivers with 24 catches for 416 and three touchdowns last year. Iverson Hooks and Brandon Hawkins Jr. also saw significant playing time last year, while new additions Kaleb Brown, Evan McCray, AJ Johnson, Jailen Holmes and Jaylen Elder all look to make an impact.
- ASU just named Andrew Body as its starting quarterback. Body played his first three seasons at Texas Southern before transferring to Alabama State for the 2024 season. In his career, he has thrown for 4,135 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1,418 yards and 11 scores. Body played in the opening game of the 2024 season but was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury.
It will be at Party at Protective with $5 domestic beer specials on Thursday night. Additionally, UAB students will receive a replica jersey koozies at the gate as supplies last.
Season tickets and single game tickets are still available, while parties of 15 or more can purchase discounted group tickets by clicking here.
For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on X and Instagram, and follow UAB Athletics on Facebook and YouTube.
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