Blazers Look to Stifle Navy’s Ground Game in AAC Opener
By Steve Irvine
September 25 - BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
NAVY (1-1 OVERALL, 0-1 AMERICAN) AT UAB (1-2 OVERALL, 0-0 AMERICAN)
PROTECTIVE STADIUM
FRIDAY, 6 P.M. CST, ESPN
When Navy has the ball: While it sounds simple, getting off the field is one of the biggest objectives for the UAB defense on Friday. The Blazers can’t afford to get into a game where Navy moves the chains with consitency, controls the clock and repeatedly reaches the red zone. The Midshipmen are toward the middle of the FBS pack in third down conversion percentage with a 43 percent success rate over the first two games. If they have success moving the chains then they’ll eventually reach the red zone, which is not good news for opponents. Navy is one of 31 FBS teams perfect in the red zone thus far and joins Toledo as the only teams that have scored a touchdown in each of its red zone trips. Navy’s is a relatively small sample size – five red zone trips in two games – but the Midshipmen offense is traditionally tremendous near the goal line and that will not change. UAB’s defense has not made a red zone stop this season and opponents scored touchdowns on eight of 10 trips into the red zone in three games. UAB has spent less time this week worrying about Braxton Woodson’s ankle injury than getting ready for what Navy does offensively. Navy will do what it does, no matter if it’s Woodson or Jackson Gutierrez taking the snaps. Navy is second in the country (trailing Army) in rushing yards per game at 376. Stopping the run has not been a strength for the UAB defense. The Blazers allow 192 yards per game on the ground, which is 124th in the country. So how do the Blazers limit running success on Saturday? “I think it's just going to come down to knowing our job, doing our job at a high level, and really just focusing on the details,” said UAB defensive end Tylin Jackson. The other challenge piece against a Drew Cronic-coached Navy offense is the big play threat in the passing game. Eye discipline and recognition is critical for the UAB secondary on Saturday. Navy threw the ball 23 times in the loss to FAU, largely because of the big halftime deficit. Gutierrez has touchdown passes of 64 yards to Jordan Collins and Charles Robinson. Don’t expect that many passes on Saturday – unless UAB can build a big lead – but do expect some timely deep passes.
When UAB has the ball: Can UAB break out of a passing game slumber? Stats suggest this could be a good game for that to happen. FAU shredded Navy with the pass two weeks ago. The Owls threw for 386 yards and five touchdowns with each score and most of the yardage coming in the first half and opening second half drive. But FAU is an offense built on the pass while UAB is working with a run-first mentality thus far. Will UAB head coach Alex Mortensen emphasize the passing game a little more on Saturday? Ryder Burton has shown flashes of good things in the passing game – none brighter than the perfectly thrown 43-yard touchdown strike to EJ Reid to provide the winning points against Louisiana Monroe – but has not been consistent. Overall, he is 41-of-72 for 478 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. One of the problems has been the pass protection. Burton has been sacked seven times but that number could be much higher without Burton doing a good job in avoiding sacks by scrambling to either throw the ball away or get some yardage with his legs. Navy has done a solid job in the pass rush with six sacks in two games. With all that said still look for UAB to work on establishing the run game. “I don't anticipate us veering too far from who we are,” Mortensen said. Running the football against Navy is difficult, for sure, but maybe not as difficult as it currently looks on paper. Navy is currently ranked second in the country after allowing 40.5 rushing yards per game. But Navy did that against an overmatched FCS team (Towson) and a FAU team that had a 50-yard loss on a punt team blunder and 22 lost yards on three sacks. Those 72 yards are included in FAU’s rushing total of 44 yards. FAU gained 116 yards on 39 running plays. UAB had its worst rushing game of the season last week at Louisiana but will work to get back on track this week.
Special teams: In a game where hidden yardage is important the Blazers need to get their punt game settled. Badger Hargett came into the season as the starter and averaged 48.5 yards per punt on his two punts in the opener against Illinois. Oliver Straw, who is third in all-time punting yards at West Virginia, was added to the UAB roster after the season began. UAB didn’t punt in the win over Louisiana-Monroe and Straw took over as the starter at Louisiana. It was an inconsistent game for Straw, who averaged 37 yards on five attempts with his 21-yard punt setting the Ragin’ Cajuns up for a 40-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter. Hargett punted once in the game for 49 yards. Obviously, UAB needs more consistency in its punting game.
Hello my name is: Elijah Hall. The defensive end transfer from Liberty had limited snaps the first two weeks. However, with Blanche Gold out with injury at Louisiana, Hall got a season-high 26 snaps against the Ragin’ Cajuns. He responded with three tackles, including one tackle for loss, and showed he’s capable of contributing.
Trend to follow: Surprisingly, Navy has not forced a turnover in two games. Navy averaged 11.3 interceptions and 8.3 fumble recoveries per season in Brian Newberry’s first three seasons as the head coach. Taking away the football is something the Midshipmen are known for. In 2024, Navy had 17 interceptions and the 2023 defense had 14 fumble recoveries. Newberry said earlier this week that he expects the turnovers to come.
How Navy wins: Let’s stay with turnovers. Navy is at its best when winning the turnover battle. Shutting down the UAB running game is a focus and playing a clean offensive football game is important. Mixing in a big play or two in the passing game would also be nice for Navy.
How UAB wins: It begins with playing a relatively clean game in regards to penalties, turnovers and assignments. Unforced errors will get the Blazers beat. Ending red zone trips with touchdowns is vital, having balanced success on offense would be helpful and limiting missed tackles is critical.
Coach’s corner: Navy coach Brian Newberry is 27-13 since taking over as the program’s head coach in 2022. That marks a tie with the coach he replaced, Ken Niumatalolo, for the second best start as the Navy head coach.
One more thing: The numbers support that UAB is hurting itself with penalties thus far. In the FBS statistics UAB is tied for 113th in fewest penalties (26), tied for 118th in fewest penalties per game (8.67), tied for 117th in total penalty yards (225) and tied for 121st in penalty yards per game (75). Only one of Trent Dilfer’s UAB teams had more penalties and penalty yards after three games. The 2024 team had 28 penalties for 242 yards in the first three games.