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Independence Bowl: UAB Blazers Set to Battle the No. 13 BYU Cougars on Saturday

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Football

Playing in the program's fifth bowl game, the UAB football team is set to take on No. 13 BYU in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Kickoff on Saturday, Dec. 18, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ABC.

The Blazers (8-4) search for their second bowl victory in school history and a win over the Cougars (10-2) would mark a program record for the highest ranked victory ever.
 
Who: UAB (8-4) vs. No. 13 BYU (10-2)
Where: Independence Stadium – Shreveport, La.
When: Saturday, Dec. 18 – 2:30 p.m.
Watch: ABC
Series: First Meeting
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

  • Saturday marks the third nationally-ranked opponent UAB has faced this season. BYU has won five games in a row and is 5-0 this season against Pac-12 schools.
  • UAB has won at least eight games every year since returning to action in 2017, aside from the 2020 pandemic-shortened season when the Blazers went 6-3 and won the C-USA title. Since its return, UAB is the winningest team in Conference USA with 42 total victories.
  • The bowl game features two of the nation's top running backs in UAB's DeWayne McBride and BYU's Tyler Allgeier. McBride ranks fourth nationally in yards per carry (6.75) and currently has UAB's fifth most rushing yards in a single season with 1,188. Allgeier leads the nation with 20 rushing touchdowns to go along with 1,409 rushing yards.
  • UAB has the nation's 14th ranked rush defense that allows opponents just 104.2 yards per game, which is a key matchup for the success of both teams come Saturday. Overall, the game features UAB's 15th-ranked defense vs. BYU's 17th-ranked offense.
  • With a 90 percent chance of rain on Saturday, another key factor will be turnovers. BYU ranks 10th nationally in turnover margin (+10) and has forced 21 turnover this year. UAB (+3) has also been good in this category and has created 18 turnovers overall (10 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries).
  • Quarterback Dylan Hopkins is 6-3 as UAB's starter this season and is Conference USA's second most efficient passer. Hopkins' completion percentage of 64.2 is currently the second highest single season mark in school history. Overall, Hopkins has thrown for 2,085 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding five rushing touchdowns.
  • Wide Receiver Trea Shropshire leads the nation in yards per reception (27.3) and Gerrit Prince leads all tight ends nationally in that category and ranks seventh overall (20.50). These two have been Hopkins' top targets all season long as Prince leads the team in receptions (32) and touchdowns (8), while Shropshire is the team leader in receiving yards (682).
  • Noah Wilder and Alex Wright headline UAB's defensive charge as Wilder is the team's leading tackler (86), while Wright paces UAB in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (7.5). These two, along with First Team All-Conference USA performer Tyree Turner look to slow down BYU's offense that averages 457.1 yards per game.
  • Saturday is the 45th annual Independence Bowl, marking the 11th longest running bowl game. Last year's game was canceled due to COVID-19.