With the start of football season around the corner, here is the ninth of a 12-part series of season previews on the Louisiana Tech opponents for the upcoming season. Tech will travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to face the Blazers on Nov. 6 at Protective Stadium.. Kickoff time is 11:30 a.m. CT and the game will be shown on CBS Sports Network.
2020 Record: 6-3 (3-1 in C-USA); C-USA Champions
2020 Bowl Appearance: Cancelled vs South Carolina in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Head Coach: Bill Clark (6th season)
Last Meeting: LA Tech 37, UAB 34 2OT (2020) – Jacob Barnes 35-yard field goal in the second overtime lifted the Bulldogs to an emotional victory on Halloween night at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston. Araon Allen and Luke Anthony combined to pass for 331 yards and three TDs and BeeJay Williamson recorded 10 tackles and two interceptions, including one he lateraled to Khalil Ladler who raced 81 yards to paydirt, as Tech recorded a come-from-behind win. Tech trailed 31-24 with 10 seconds to play when Allen found Adrian Hardy for a 24-yard score – his second of the game – to send the game into overtime. After both teams traded field goals in the first overtime, Williamson came up big in the second overtime, stripping UAB running back Spencer Brown at the goal line to force the turnover. On its offensive possession in the second OT, Barnes missed on a field goal but a roughing the kicker penalty was called on the Blazers. Three plays later, Barnes split the uprights for the win.
UAB Outlook: After defeating Marshall 22-13 and winning the 2020 Conference USA title game, the Blazers are once again picked to capture the West Division crown in the preseason polls. UAB will open its brand new stadium this year (Protective Stadium) and put old Legion Field in its rearview mirror. If the Blazers are to win their second straight C-USA title, they must find a way to do so without running back Spencer Brown who rushed for 889 yards and 10 scores and left as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,011) and TDs (41). Defensively, UAB does return first team all-league linebacker Kristopher Moll, who helped the Blazers hold opponents to 21 points and only 137 yards per game on the ground.
Tidbit: UAB will play at Protective Stadium starting this season, a new $174 million multi-purpose open air facility owned by the city of Birmingham and designed by Populous.
Season/Single Game Tickets: LA Tech fans can purchase season tickets for the 2021 year by calling 318-257-3631 or going to LATechSports.com/tickets. The Bulldogs host six home games this year, including a marquee non-conference match-up against SMU. Tech fans can also called the ticket office for information on road game tickets.
Up Next: Charlotte
To report an issue or typo with this article – CLICK HERE
