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UAB Football: Preview, predictions for Blazers’ 2019 season

By Jake Mitchell

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Spencer Brown #28 of the UAB Blazers rushes past Tyrel Dodson #25 of the Texas A&M Aggies as Larry Pryor #11 pursues on the play in the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Spencer Brown #28 of the UAB Blazers rushes past Tyrel Dodson #25 of the Texas A&M Aggies as Larry Pryor #11 pursues on the play in the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Previewing the offense

After a strong 2018 in which the Blazers eclipsed the 30-point mark on five occasions, this season will see a multitude of new faces. Four of the five starters on the offensive line are gone, along with the team’s top five wide receivers.

As the offense replaces so many key players, it will lean on the few players with significant experience. Tyler Johnston III took over at quarterback mid-way through last season, throwing for 1,323 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 359 yards and four touchdowns. Behind an offensive line that sees so much turnover, Johnston’s mobility will be vital in avoiding the pass rush that will inevitably get to him.

The rushing attack was the bread and butter of the offense, finishing second in the C-USA in rushing yards per game. Spencer Brown was the workhorse, carrying the ball 272 times for 1,227 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Brown will once again be the leader of this group, but it is a deep one. Lucious Stanley averaged 5.3 yards per carry, and he’ll likely see his usage increase from the 52 attempts he got in 2018. Jonathan Haden, the JUCO transfer who originally signed with Arizona, will round out the top three at running back.

The receiving core is almost completely new. Senior Kendall Parham is the veteran of the group, and he only had 14 receptions for 197 yards last season. He’ll take over the role in the slot, and along with tight end Hayden Pittman, will be a safety net for Tyler Johnson. On the outside, juniors Myron Mitchell and Austin Watkins are expected to step up and bring big-play potential to this offense.

For any of this to play out, however, the offensive line will need to gel fast. Senior center Lee Dufour is the lone returning starter. Replacing four of five linemen is never ideal, but the Blazers are fortunate that the one returner is a senior center.

Guards David Galten and Greg Fecanin, along with tackle Andrew Smith, do have game experience. However, It’s one thing to play in mop-up or spot duty, but another to start. Beginning the season with Alabama State and Akron, followed by an early bye, this new-look line does have the luxury of easing into the meat of the schedule.

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