2018 UAB Blazers football team

Last updated

2018 UAB Blazers football
UAB Blazers wordmark.png
C-USA Champion
C-USA West Division champion
Boca Raton Bowl champion
Conference Conference USA
DivisionWest Division
Record11–3 (7–1 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Spread option
Defensive coordinatorDavid Reeves (2nd season)
Base defense 3–3–5
Home stadium Legion Field
Seasons
  2017
2019  
2018 Conference USA football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Middle Tennessee x  7 1   8 6  
Marshall  6 2   9 4  
FIU  6 2   9 4  
Charlotte  4 4   5 7  
Florida Atlantic  3 5   5 7  
Old Dominion  2 6   4 8  
Western Kentucky  2 6   3 9  
West Division
UAB x$  7 1   11 3  
North Texas  5 3   9 4  
Louisiana Tech  5 3   8 5  
Southern Miss  5 3   6 5  
UTSA  2 6   3 9  
UTEP  1 7   1 11  
Rice  1 7   2 11  
Championship: UAB 27, Middle Tennessee 25
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions

The 2018 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by third-year head coach Bill Clark and played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season 11–3, 7–1 in C-USA play to be champions of the West Division. They represented the West Division in the C-USA Championship Game where they defeated Middle Tennessee to win their first ever C-USA championship. They were invited to the Boca Raton Bowl where they defeated Northern Illinois to claim their first bowl win in program history.

Contents

On November 11, 2018, the Blazers made their first appearance in the Coaches' Poll at No. 25, marking the first time since 2004 they had been ranked in any of the major three polls.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Rimington Trophy [1] Lee DufourCJR
Maxwell Award [2] Spencer Brown RBSO
Doak Walker Award [3] Spencer BrownRBSO
John Mackey Award [4] Logan ScottTESR
Wuerffel Trophy [5] Craig KanyangararaLBSR
Walter Camp Award [6] Spencer BrownRBSO
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award [7] A.J. ErdelyQBSR
Manning Award [8] A.J. ErdelyQBSR

Preseason All-CUSA team

Conference USA released their preseason all-CUSA team on July 16, 2018, with the Blazers having one player selected. [9]

Preseason media poll

Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 17, 2018, with the Blazers predicted to finish in third place in the West Division. [10]

West Division
Predicted finishTeam
1North Texas
2Louisiana Tech
3UAB
4Southern Miss
5UTSA
T–6Rice
T–6UTEP

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 307:00 p.m. Savannah State * ESPN+ W 52–027,124
September 86:00 p.m.at Coastal Carolina *ESPN+L 24–479,776
September 1512:00 p.m. Tulane *
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
Stadium W 31–2421,991
September 296:00 p.m. Charlotte
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
ESPN3 W 28–725,395
October 66:00 p.m.at Louisiana Tech StadiumW 28–718,983
October 1312:00 p.m.at Rice ESPN+W 42–018,916
October 206:30 p.m. North Texas Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
beIN W 29–2128,014
October 276:30 p.m.at UTEP ESPN+W 19–010,787
November 36:30 p.m. UTSA
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
beINW 52–317,605
November 106:30 p.m. Southern Miss
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
beINW 26–23 OT25,618
November 176:00 p.m.at Texas A&M * ESPN2 L 20–4197,584
November 242:00 p.m.at Middle Tennessee ESPN3L 3–2714,411
December 11:30 p.m.at Middle Tennessee
CBSSN W 27–2515,806
December 186:00 p.m.vs. Northern Illinois * ESPN W 37–1322,614
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • All times are in Central time

[11]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRVRVRVRVRV
Coaches RVRVRVRVRV25RVRVRV
CFP Not releasedNot released

Game summaries

Savannah State

1234Total
Tigers00000
Blazers721101452

At Coastal Carolina

1234Total
Blazers14100024
Chanticleers71372047

Tulane

1234Total
Green Wave0714324
Blazers7143731

Charlotte

1234Total
49ers00077
Blazers1470728

At Louisiana Tech

1234Total
Blazers0771428
Bulldogs70007

At Rice

1234Total
Blazers141414042
Owls00000

North Texas

1234Total
Mean Green7140021
Blazers3791029

At UTEP

1234Total
Blazers1002719
Miners00000

UTSA

1234Total
Roadrunners30003
Blazers21177752

Southern Miss

1234OTTotal
Golden Eagles7607323
Blazers07130626

At Texas A&M

1234Total
Blazers7001320
Aggies141010741

At Middle Tennessee

1234Total
Blazers30003
Blue Raiders0137727

At Middle Tennessee (C-USA Championship game)

1234Total
Blazers3210327
Blue Raiders1336325

Vs. Northern Illinois (Boca Raton Bowl)

1234Total
Huskies733013
Blazers101710037

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UAB Blazers</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of University of Alabama at Birmingham

The UAB Blazers are the varsity intercollegiate athletic programs that represent the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The school is one of the fourteen member institutions of the American Athletic Conference and participates in Division I of the NCAA. The school's men's basketball team plays in 8,508-seat Bartow Arena. The Blazers' colors are forest green and old gold. The men's basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades.

The 2014 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the East Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by first year head coach Bill Clark and played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 2017 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by second-year head coach Bill Clark and played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for second place in the West Division. They received an invitation to the Bahamas Bowl, where they lost to Ohio.

The 2017 Conference USA football season was the 22nd season of Conference USA football and part of the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season began on August 26 with Rice facing Stanford in Sydney, Australia. This season was the third season for C-USA under realignment that took place in 2014, which added the 14th member Charlotte from the Atlantic 10 Conference. C-USA is a "Group of Five" conference under the College Football Playoff format along with the American Athletic Conference, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Rod Carey in his sixth and final season as head coach, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–6 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, winning the MAC's West Division title. Northern Illinois advanced to the MAC Championship Game, where they defeated East Division champion Buffalo to win the program's fifth MAC championship. The Huskies were invited to the Boca Raton Bowl, where they lost to UAB. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 North Texas Mean Green football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mean Green played their home games at the Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third-year head coach Seth Littrell. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in C-USA play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the New Mexico Bowl where they lost to Utah State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University as a member of the East Division of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by 13th-year head coach Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raiders compiled an overall record of 8–6 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, winning the C-USA's East Division title. Middle Tennessee represented the East Division in the Conference USA Football Championship Game, falling to West Division champion, UAB. The Blue Raiders were invited to the New Orleans Bowl, where they lost to Appalachian State. The team played home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Marshall Thundering Herd football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Thundering Herd played their home games at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by ninth-year head coach Doc Holliday. They finished the season 9–4, 6–2 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for second place in the East Division. They were invited to the Gasparilla Bowl where they defeated South Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Wisconsin Badgers football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers were led by fourth year head coach Paul Chryst and competed as members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Atlantic Owls football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Florida Atlantic Owls football team represented Florida Atlantic University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Owls played their home games at the FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by second-year head coach Lane Kiffin. They finished the season 5–7, 3–5 in C-USA play to finish in fifth place in the East Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 FIU Panthers football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 FIU Panthers football team represented Florida International University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers played their home games at the Riccardo Silva Stadium in University Park, Florida as members of the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by second-year head coach Butch Davis. They finished the season 9–4, 6–2 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for second place in the East Division. They were invited to the Bahamas Bowl where they defeated Toledo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at the Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by sixth-year head coach Skip Holtz. They finished the season 8–5, 5–3 in C-USA play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Hawaii Bowl where they defeated Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Eagles played their home games at the M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third-year head coach Jay Hopson. They finished the season 6–5, 5–3 in C-USA play to finish in a three-way tie for second in the West Division. Despite being bowl eligible, they were not invited to a bowl game.

The 2018 Memphis Tigers football team represented the University of Memphis in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee and competed in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Mike Norvell. They finished the season 8–6, 5–3 in AAC to finish in a three-way tie for the West Division championship. After tie-breakers, they represented the West Division in the AAC Championship Game where they lost to East Division champion UCF. They were invited to the Birmingham Bowl where they lost to Wake Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the Crimson Tide's 125th overall season, 86th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 28th within the SEC's Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by 13th-year head coach Nick Saban.

The 2019 UAB Blazers football team represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Blazers played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by fourth-year head coach Bill Clark.

The 2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Billy Napier. The Cajuns began the season with an away matchup against a preseason top-25 Iowa State and concluded their regular season at conference and in-state rival Louisiana–Monroe.

The 2021 Conference USA football season was the 26th season of college football play for Conference USA (C-USA). The season started on August 28, 2021 and ended on December 23, 2021. The conference consisted of 14 members in two divisions. It was part of the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

The 2022 Conference USA football season was the 27th season of college football play for Conference USA (C-USA). The season started on August 27, 2022, and is ended on January 31, 2023. The conference consisted of 11 members and was part of the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

References

  1. "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  2. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  3. "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  4. "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  5. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  6. Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"" . Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  7. "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  8. "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  9. "FB: 2018 Preseason Awards". July 16, 2018.
  10. "FB: Preseason Media Poll". July 17, 2018.
  11. "2018 UAB Football Schedule | Blazers | FBSchedules.com". FB Schedules. Retrieved April 6, 2018.