Steve Irvine Previews UAB vs UCONN
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 31, 2025
UAB (3-4) VS. UCONN (5-3)
PRATT & WHITNEY STADIUM
SATURDAY, 11 A.M. CST, CBS SPORTS NETWORK
When UConn has the ball: Joe Fagnano has thrown 274 passes with no interceptions this year. The only other quarterback with at least 200 passes with no interceptions is Temple’s Evan Simon and he’s thrown 70 less passes than Fagnano. UConn throws the ball a lot. Only 10 quarterbacks have thrown more passes this season than Fagnano. Obviously, his accuracy and decision making have been excellent. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound graduate student threw four interceptions in 204 attempts while playing in 10 games last season. UAB has just three interceptions this season with two coming from safety Pierre Royster. Statistically speaking, the Blazers don’t have much chance of grabbing Fagnano’s first interception of the season. But doing so would be huge for a defense that, for the most part, took a step forward in the win over Memphis. Limiting Fagnano’s success will be a key. A year ago, Fagnano came off the bench and was 5 of 12 for 72 yards with two touchdowns to spark the fourth quarter comeback in the 31-23 over UAB at Protective Stadium. Fagnano has not only been accurate this season but he’s been explosive. He is 186-of-274 for 2,262 yards with 18 touchdowns for an offense that averages 36.7 points per game. His favorite target – by far – is 6-foot, 185-pound senior Skyler Bell, who is having a sensational season. Bell is second in the country in total receptions (66), receptions per game (8.25) and receiving yards (860), third in receiving yards per game (105.6) and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (8). Other than Bell, UConn does not have a player with more than 22 catches. UConn not one dimensional on offense. Running back Cam Edwards is 12th in the country in rushing yards with 753 yards on 129 carries. He also has eight rushing touchdowns. However, the Huskies struggled on the ground the last two games. They rushed for 93 yards on 27 carries in a win over Boston College and had 105 rushing yards on 26 carries in an overtime loss to Rice.
When UAB has the ball: Every offensive snap for UAB will have somebody playing quarterback. Anything more specific, though, will probably not come to light until the first offensive play. Will Jalen Kitna, who started the first six games, return to his starting position? Will Ryder Burton, who quarterbacked the attention-grabbing win over Memphis, get his second start? And how many snaps will Nate Rogers get during the game? All legit questions that won’t be answered publicly until Saturday on the field. Truth is, there is a good chance that all three will play in the game. The exact rotation plan, however, is only known by interim head coach/offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen and his staff. It’s probably been a busy week for the UConn defensive staff as they prepare for the unknown. Another unanswered question is the availability of wide receiver Corri Milliner, who returned to the practice field for the first time since the week leading up to the Tennessee game on Sept. 20. It would be hard to imagine him being ready physically after missing that much time but he did participate in practice this week. So, the unknown is a factor. What the Huskies do know is Iverson Hooks has emerged as the go-to receiver and dynamic running back Solomon Beebe is capable of turning every touch into a big play. Hooks led the American Conference. UConn has been efficient against the pass, allowing 216 yards per game, but the Huskies are 94th in the country in rush defense. Mortensen used the run game to eat up time and move the chains in the win over Memphis. UConn is one of the country’s leaders in sacking the quarterback. The Huskies have 28 sacks in eight games, which is tied for fourth in the country. Bryun Parham, a 5-foot-11, 223-pound linebacker, is tied for third in the country with 9.5 sacks. Linebackers Oumar Diomande and Tyquan King are next with three sacks each. UAB has allowed 16 sacks in eight games.
Special teams: It’s been a quiet season for UAB kicker Jonah Delange, who connected on six field goals in nine attempts and made all 20 of his extra points. This coming a year after he was in contention to win the Lou Groza Award while making 21 of 24 field goals and hitting all 31 extra points. UConn kicker Chris Freeman is among the country’s leaders this year with 14 successful field goals on 16 attempts and connected on all 36 extra points. A year ago, he was 20 of 26 on field goals and made all 49 extra point attempts. Both teams will be in good shape if this game comes to a field goal.
Hello my name is: Tariq Watson. Injuries have limited Watson to four games this season. He was the starter at cornerback in the first two games and returned to that role against Memphis. He made three of the biggest defensive plays of the game on Memphis’ final offensive possession. He will get the chance to make a similar impact against a UConn offense that loves to throw the football.
Trend to follow: Can UAB win on the road? You have to ask that question until the Blazers end their 15-game road losing streak. Is Saturday the day that ends?
How UConn wins: Use the passing game to set up the running game and play turnover free, once again, on offense. Force UAB into mistakes on defense and limit the running game.
How UAB wins: Don’t let penalties become a negative factor, win the turnover battle and play with the same confidence the Blazers used against Memphis. Winning on special teams is also critical.
Coach’s corner: UConn is one game short of reaching bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year. Jim Mora is in his fourth season as the UConn head coach. The last time UConn played in back-to-back bowls was in 2009 and 2010. Mora also led his team to a bowl game in 2022.
One more thing: Until Saturday, UAB has never played a football game in the state of Connecticut. Currently, UConn is the only FBS team located in Connecticut and there are only two FCS teams (Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart) in the state.