Photo by: Ken Shepherd
After splitting their first two games of the year, UAB returns to Protective Stadium on Saturday night for a non-conference matchup against Akron. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
This one carries special meaning for the Blazers. It’s the program’s third annual Smile-A-Mile game, honoring childhood cancer patients. UAB will wear alternate black jerseys with the names of 100 patients on the back, then present those jerseys to the kids after the game.
On the field, UAB (1-1, 0-1 AAC) is coming off a frustrating 38-24 loss at Navy where turnovers in the second half erased what was a tied game at the break. Quarterback Jalen Kitna threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions were costly. Even with those mistakes, Kitna has looked sharp to start the year, completing 72.7 percent of his passes while averaging 275.5 yards per game—good for top-20 nationally.
His favorite target has been sophomore wideout Corri Milliner, who leads the American Athletic Conference with 198 receiving yards and is averaging just under 100 per game. Fellow receiver Iverson Hooks has matched him with 11 catches and chipped in two touchdowns. In the backfield, Jevon Jackson has already shown he can be a difference-maker after rushing for 166 yards and two scores in the opener against Alabama State.
The matchup looks favorable for UAB’s offense. The Blazers rank 31st in the nation in total offense at 466.5 yards per game. Akron (0-2) hasn’t scored a point this season and just surrendered 728 yards in a 68-0 loss at Nebraska. Through two games, the Zips have allowed an average of 577 yards per contest.
Defensively, UAB still has some proving to do. After giving up 514 yards to Alabama State and another 463 to Navy, the Blazers sit near the bottom nationally in total defense. Safety Pierre Royster and linebacker Devin Hightower—both FCS transfers—have been the early standouts, ranking among the AAC’s top tacklers. They’ll have a chance to put together a statement game against an Akron offense that ranks last in the FBS at just 201.5 yards per outing.
The Blazers lead the all-time series with Akron 1-0, winning 31-20 in 2019. With Tennessee looming on the schedule next week, Saturday feels like a chance for UAB to get right, clean up mistakes, and build momentum heading deeper into September.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
