Preview: Q&A with the UAB Insider John Duncan

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It's no secret what the University of Alabama at Birmingham likes to do when they have the football.

Run the ball, run the ball and then run the ball some more.

In a college football age where teams are airing out their offenses more than ever, the UAB Blazers (2-2, 0-1 C-USA) have plowed a different path, rushing over 40 times a game for a Conference USA leading 220.5 yards per game, on a similarly league leading 5.41 yards per carry, presenting a challenge for MTSU (3-2, 0-1 C-USA) heading into the Blue Raiders first conference road game of 2022.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CDT in Protective Stadium on, well, Stadium and the Blue Raider Radio Network. Stadium can be found on Xfinity WNABDT2228 and WNABDT21179; Local Over the Air Broadcast: WNABDT258.2; MTSU Cable: WNABDT2058 or on FUBO TV, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, Xumo, the Roku Channel, STIRR, YouTube TV, Plex and Vidgo.

"It's a really tough, physical offense," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "They want to come in and run the ball on you. We've got to do a good job defensively of stopping the ball and slowing it down because they're very talented."

Led by running back DeWayne McBride, who's 173.67 yards per game ranks him tenth in individual total offense per game in C-USA (a top 10 where every other player on the list is a quarterback). McBride, who missed the Blazer's 59-0 win over Alabama A&M, averages two touchdowns on the ground a game, also putting him atop the conference's points per game list.

Jordan Ferguson highlighted the creative ways UAB designs their plays to get McBride space to operate, from adding additional offensive linemen to their packages to moving tight ends into the backfield to lead block.

"They do a lot of 12 heavy, where they use a big offensive lineman as a tight end, which gives them a bigger body to move around," Ferguson said. "Defensive line this week is going to have to be ready to go, because their offensive line is really good and they're big."

Ferguson also noted that the 12 Heavy package also helps in passing situations, allowing for a really strong max protect when quarterback Dylan Hopkins operates in a clean pocket.

Defensively, UAB boasts the top defense in the league both total defense and scoring defense, being particularly adept at stopping the pass, where they've held opponents to just 161.75 yards per game through the air, allowing just two passing touchdowns this season while intercepting six passes.

Stockstill praised all aspects of the UAB defense this week in his Monday press conference.

"They don't have a lot of sacks, but they do push the pocket because they're so big up front," Stockstill said. "Their linebackers run really well. On the back end, they don't give up a lot of big plays. They keep the ball in front of you and make you go the long way. All 11 of those guys on defense, they've been in this system a long time. They've all got a good understanding of what they want to do."

MTSU's air raid offense, however, will present a unique challenge for the Blazers. That, along with continued comfort in the offense, has given quarterback Chase Cunningham confidence heading into Birmingham.

"Schematically, it's going to be some of the same stuff we saw maybe this past week," Cunningham said. "Obviously a lot good players, very well coached, a lot of talent over there, so we've just got to keep doing what we've been doing."

To get a closer look at the Blazers this season, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton sat down with John Duncan, who hosts the Blazer Victory Podcast alongside former UAB offensive lineman Darion Smith, to learn more about UAB's mid offseason coaching change, their success running the ball, and what he thinks will be key on Saturday.

Duncan and Smith also welcomed Doughton onto their podcast this week to preview the game, which you can check out on Apple Podcasts here.

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1) I think most fans around C-USA were stunned when Bill Clark stepped down as head coach earlier this year, though less so once they heard the reasoning why. How do you evaluate how Bryant Vincent, formerly the team's offensive coordinator, has stepped up as the interim coach so far this season?

Everyone was shocked when Bill Clark decided to step down, but definitely wish him a speedy recovery. Overall, I think Bryant Vincent has done a good job since stepping in as interim, and it's safe to say the players like him and play hard for him. However, last Saturday against Rice was a rough one, as the Blazers committed 12 penalties for 116 yards and had two turnovers coming after a bye week. In the other loss to Liberty, the Blazers turned the ball over four times in a monsoon. This Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee will be huge for Vincent and the team.

2) Both Rick Stockstill and Jordan Ferguson raved about UAB's rushing attack, with running back DeWayne McBride as its focal point. What's made McBride such a special back in his time in Birmingham and how does the UAB offense play to his strengths as a runner?

DeWayne McBride (aka Debo) is a highly talented running back that people will definitely see in the NFL one day. Debo is currently leading the nation in rushing yards per game (173.7 yards per game through three games played). The Blazers offense has always revolved around having a dynamic running back and running a lot of outside zone. UAB returned a bunch of guys up front on the offensive line this year and has continued to have one of the best rushing attacks in the G5. Jermaine Brown (aka Skull) has also contributed to the run game and is a perfect complement to Debo when he comes off the field for a breather.

3) Dylan Hopkins has a lot of respect around Conference USA for his steadiness as a signal caller across several seasons now for the Blazers, but it's clear that not everything has clicked for him in 2022 just off of his stat sheet. Is his low production more a factor of UAB's strength in the run or are there bigger problems with the passing offense the team is working to address?

There's no doubt that the passing game has struggled so far this season. Coming off of the Independence Bowl win over BYU last year, expectations were high for Dylan Hopkins after having his best game as a Blazer. There's no doubt that UAB will always be a run first offense under Vincent, but we're still waiting to see the passing game fully click and have a more balanced attack. UAB did a better job at Rice, but that gets overshadowed because of the penalties and turnovers.

4) Rick Stockstill was sure to praise all aspects of the UAB defense, which has been one of the best units in the conference if not the country at this point in the season. Who are some of the players you've been impressed by on that side of the ball this season and what does the unit as a whole do well to keep points off the board?

The defense has definitely been the strength of this football team since the Return in 2017, and this year's defense might be the best UAB has ever had. Defensive coordinator David Reeves has done a fantastic job every week this season in getting the defense ready for the opposing offense and the defense has responded and done its job.

There are a bunch of players that I've been impressed with so far this season, but if I had to pick two, it's Tyler Taylor and Noah Wilder. Senior linebacker Tyler Taylor is finally the healthiest he's ever been at UAB and has been a force to reckon with on the field grabbing 31 tackles, an interception, and a sack through these first four games. Senior Noah Wilder leads the team with 40 tackles so far and recently moved into the top 10 in career tackles at UAB. Wilder also had a career high 18 tackles against Georgia Southern a couple weeks ago. Blue Raider fans will definitely need to keep an eye on Taylor and Wilder this Saturday.

5) UAB is coming off a tough loss on the road at Rice that they were in until the final whistle. What are some of the keys from the Blazers' POV to bouncing back in front of a homecoming crowd against the Blue Raiders?

I believe there are three keys for UAB to be able to bounce back this Saturday.

The first key is the Blazers simply just have to play smarter going forward. UAB committed 12 penalties for 116 yards and had two turnovers in Houston that cost them the game. Some of those penalties were very costly and took points off the scoreboard for UAB on offense and some on defense allowed Rice to continue drives and get points.

The second key is the Blazers will have to get the passing game going on offense to have a more balanced attack. We've seen how stout that front four is for Middle Tennessee so the Blazers will have to prove they can throw the ball to keep that defense honest.

The last key is on defense. UAB will have to try to limit Middle Tennessee's explosive plays on offense. This Blue Raider air raid style offense has hit explosive plays all year and will definitely try to have more this Saturday. The Blazers will have to try to limit them to just a couple of explosive plays and not give up a lot like Miami did a few weeks ago.

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Chase Cunningham

Jordan Ferguson

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