UCA vs. UAB Thursday Sept. 3 ESPN3

[BEAR]

UCA takes on the UAB Blazers this Thursday on ESPN3 at 7 p.m.

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

UAB looks to extend the nation's fourth longest active home winning streak to 19 straight games when they host the Bears on Thursday. The Blazers are a perfect 18-0 at Legion Field since returning to action in 2017.
The Blazers return nine starters on defense and have finished Top 10 nationally each of the last two years in total defense. Linebacker Kristopher Moll (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7849) and edge rusher Jordan Smith (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7868) lead the charge as the two combined for 33.5 TFL and 19.0 sacks last season.
UAB looks to continue dominating up front as the Blazers have compiled 92 sacks and 217 TFL combined over the last two years.
The secondary boasts four All-Conference USA performers in cornerbacks Brontae Harris (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7825) and TD Marshall (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7842), and safeties Will Boler (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7797) and Dy'jonn Turner (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7882). Harris is back after missing all of the 2019 season with an injury, yet this unit was still able to rank eighth nationally in passing yards allowed in 2019.
Offensively, UAB's career leading rusher Spencer Brown (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7800) and standout wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7885) lead the Blazers into the season opener. Brown is one of just two players in the nation to enter the season with 3,000+ career rushing yards, while Watkins Jr. became the third player in program history to have over 1,000 single season receiving yards last year, finishing with 57 catches for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns.
Tyler Johnston III (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7831) enters his redshirt junior year and his second full year as the starter, despite missing time last season due to injury. Johnston III is 10-4 as a starter and already ranks fourth in career touchdown passes (28) and eighth in passing yards (3,586) at UAB.
Brown and Johnston III have the luxury of playing behind a veteran offensive line that returns four starters. Headlining that unit is a pair of All-Conference tackles in RT Sidney Wells (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7886) and LT Colby Ragland (https://uabsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7863).
UCA scored the game-winning touchdown against Austin Peay with :34 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Breylin Smith to Lujuan Winningham. Smith finished the game 283 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Kierre Crossley led the ground attack with 12 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown (9.2 YPC).

[BEAR]

Central Arkansas is on its way to becoming America’s team.
The Bears knocked off Austin Peay 24-17 on Saturday night, and then on Sunday, they were tested for COVID-19 at 8 a.m. ahead of their Thursday matchup with UAB. All 72 players, as well as coaches and staff, were tested and they all came back negative Monday afternoon, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported (https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/aug/31/uca-no-positive-virus-tests-after-saturdays-game/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_ArkansasOnline). For the football-starved country, especially the Southeast, having college football back was a welcome arrival.

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/americas-team-after-1st-game-central-arkansas-reports-no-covid-positives-prepares-for-2nd-game-in-a-week/

[Laker]

I don't get ESPN3 on my DISH package. I'm disappointed. Maybe I can get it on the computer.

[BEAR]

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[Schism55]

I thought ESPN3 went the way of the dodo? Will it be on ESPN+ as well?

[BEAR]

I thought ESPN3 went the way of the dodo? Will it be on ESPN+ as well?

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[BEAR]

Well a second round of Covid testing and all Bear players and coaches are negative!

[BEAR]

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[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Go Bears!!!

[Daytripper]

I thought ESPN3 went the way of the dodo? Will it be on ESPN+ as well?

I think if you have ESPN+ you also have access to ESPN3.

[POD Knows]

Gonna watch this, maybe drink a few brewsky's, got tomorrow off, kick their asses UCA. xdrunkyx

[BEAR]

It's gonna be a tall order. Many of their fans I've spoken to think they have 6 guys that can be NFL draftable. Plus the additional 20+ scholarship players...It's gonna be a tough hill to sled.

But I'm sure the players are more optimistic than I am! xlolx

Will it be a paycheck game? Will it be a victory for UCA? Will it be both? Or not? We're showing as an 18.5 point underdog already...so I'm just going to enjoy the game and be glad we have one! xdrunkyx

[CenMEBlackBearFan]

UAB has won 18 straight at home and have the nations 4th longest streak. When the heck did they get so good??? Holy crap they canned the program in 2014, took two years off returned in 2017 and look to have a pretty good team. GO UCA, pull the big upset!!!

[Laker]

UAB has won 18 straight at home and have the nations 4th longest streak. When the heck did they get so good??? Holy crap they canned the program in 2014, took two years off returned in 2017 and look to have a pretty good team. GO UCA, pull the big upset!!!

The program never should have been cut. It was a screw job and the locals reacted just like they should when they got screwed over. That being said, it is always nice when a FCS team can knock off a FBS one.

[POD Knows]

**** 7-0 UAB

[BEAR]

UAB is just more talented.

[BEAR]

14-0 uab
1st quarter

[POD Knows]

Yea. ****. 14-0

[BEAR]

Dang wide open miss to Winningham for a TD.

[BEAR]

Go for it on 4th you morons! xflamemadx

[BEAR]

INT!

[POD Knows]

New game. 14-7. It took an hour to play the first quarter. A freaking hour. I knew things moved slower in the south but JFC.

[BEAR]

14-7 uab

[BEAR]

We’re doing it again. Driving to their side of the field then choking just like against Austin Peay.
Difference in this game is UAB has 20 more scholly players and won’t wear down.

[BEAR]

New Qb for UAB

[BEAR]

I’m guessing tackling isn’t a thing anymore

21-7

[POD Knows]

New Qb for UAB
Yea and he looks a lot better than the starter they had out there.

[BEAR]

UAB looks faster but they also look better in their play execution.

Well if we can get another TD then it will still be close.

Hoping this second string isn’t resting their starters. Ugh

[BEAR]

UAB is setting picks to perfection

- - - Updated - - -

3 injuries in a half for us

[BEAR]

Driving it and we fumble

[BEAR]

NDSU want to win? Just show up.

Why are we giving them 10 yard cushions?

[BEAR]

4 injuries now.

[POD Knows]

NDSU want to win? Just show up.

Why are we giving them 10 yard cushions?
You aren’t going to have any guys left. Getting injuries every other play. It reminds me of SDSU when they are behind in a game

[BEAR]

Tight Ends killing us.

I just want us to get our offense going on a regular basis.

[BEAR]

TD UCA and Winningham had a defender interfere and no call.

28-14

[BEAR]

UAB now playing their 3rd string qb

[CenMEBlackBearFan]

Beautiful left handed catch, I thought it was a good no call as Winnington and defender were holding each other. GO Bears!!!

[BEAR]

Strip and TD UCA!

28-21

[CenMEBlackBearFan]

Wow, Blazers want to keep UCA in the game. Well that makes the 2nd half alot more interesting.

[TheKingpin28]

You aren’t going to have any guys left. Getting injuries every other play. It reminds me of SDSU when they are behind in a gameThat was their way of trying recoup lost timeouts. Unless your Taryn, then your coach puts you back out there even though you have no idea what state you are in.

Sent from my SM-J727V using Tapatalk

[BEAR]

28-21 halftime against a top 10 fbs defense with a sick offense!

Dang their tight ends are beast.

[BEAR]

Can any of you football guys tell me why UAB is rotating so many critical starters?

[BEAR]

Friend of mine is there and he says it feels like a practice.
He’s a South Alabama fan. Guess that stadium is pretty big.

[BEAR]

Man we’ve missed 2 field goals and a wide open Winningham for an easy TD in the first quarter.

So many what ifs

[BEAR]

Stupid sideline passes.

We cant give them good starting position over and over and expect to have a chance.

[BEAR]

Again, tackling.

[BEAR]

UAB resorting to trick plays. Hilarious

[BEAR]

Another injury

[BEAR]

Inept offense again tonight

[BEAR]

End of third quarter.

31-21 UAB

We have had so many chances. I don’t know if it’s Breylin or what but we have got to get a steady offense. Ugh.

[BEAR]

Shocker. No targeting. Puke

[nodak651]

Shocker. No targeting. Puke
If that isn't targeting I don't know what is. That looked dangerous...

[BEAR]

Yep. Even the announcers replayed it and said clearly targeting. Turned the game

Final
uab and refs 45
uca 35

[Lorne_Malvo]

28-21 halftime against a top 10 fbs defense with a sick offense!

Dang their tight ends are beast.

UAB has a top 10 FBS Defense? LOL, just stop.

[BEAR]

UAB has a top 10 FBS Defense? LOL, just stop.

They were saying something like that during the game.

[Redbird 4th & short]

In 2019, UAB defense ranked 8th in yards per game and 9th in yards per play per NCAA

Problem is, they did this against the 125th ranked Massey SOS, including 7 FBS teams ranked in bottom 14, plus a weak FCS. Plus 3 more ranked 66, 69, 89. The beat 4 teams with a combined record of 4-44. So while they went 9-4 last season, 8 of their wins came against teams with barely a heart beat.

But putting up 35 points is pretty decent, not sure what they had coming back.

[BEAR]

In 2019, UAB defense ranked 8th in yards per game and 9th in yards per play per NCAA

Problem is, they did this against the 125th ranked Massey SOS, including 7 FBS teams ranked in bottom 14, plus a weak FCS. Plus 3 more ranked 66, 69, 89. The beat 4 teams with a combined record of 4-44. So while they went 9-4 last season, 8 of their wins came against teams with barely a heart beat.

But putting up 35 points is pretty decent, not sure what they had coming back.

I had no idea about all that. All I heard from their one sided espn announcers was how good their defenses were. We didn’t play to the best of our abilities but we were on a short week against a team in the FBS.

[Redbird 4th & short]

I had no idea about all that. All I heard from their one sided espn announcers was how good their defenses were. We didn’t play to the best of our abilities but we were on a short week against a team in the FBS.

Understandable that announcers had said it .. they don't usually dig very deep. Noted both teams converted 3 TOs for TDs. Your Bears did this in 1st half and took advantage of very short fields on your 3. While UAB did theirs later in game and still had to drive the ball some to get theirs. In fact, their offense was on the field 37 minutes.

Must be fun having a game to talk about !!!

[ASU33]

Second year in a row the refs helped UAB avoid an FCS loss.

[BEAR]

Second year in a row the refs helped UAB avoid an FCS loss.

Well honestly UAB played pretty good ball that day. We as usual just couldn't get our offense started. I'm so sick of that.

But only down 10 in the third quarter the correct call would have been targeting and we'd have possession at around the 40. Not saying we'd drive the ball down to score..because we had been inept to do that all game...but had we not at least we'd punt them back to their end of the field and they wouldn't have it at the 20 or whatever they got it at. That put them up 17. So bad call by the refs and listening to the ESPN guys say clearly it was targeting and seeing it on replay after replay confirmed it.

Oh well...can't change the past... time to move on...xlolx