Steve Irvine Previews UAB Vs South Florida
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - November 21, 2025
SOUTH FLORIDA (7-3, 4-2) VS. UAB (3-7, 1-5)
PROTECTIVE STADIUM
SATURDAY, 2 P.M. CST, ESPN-PLUS
When USF has the ball: No one in the FBS has accounted for more yards than USF quarterback Byrum Brown. The 6-foot-3, 232-pound senior has 3,371 yards in total offense in 10 games. Brown is second to Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King in total offense yards per game but King has played in just nine games. Brown is 191-for-292 passing for 2,530 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions and has 841 yards on 146 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns. He has at least 253 total offense yards in every game this season and is coming off a season-high 463 yards compiled in a loss to Navy. All of that to say UAB has its hands full on Saturday against one of the most dynamic players in the country. UAB does have an advantage that the Blazers played Tennessee earlier this season. The Volunteers run a similar offense because USF head coach Alex Golesh is the former offensive coordinator at UCF and Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel. Tennessee is second in the country in total offense after gaining 495 yards per game thus far. USF checks in at 492.3 yards per game, which is fourth in the country. So, the Blazers have an idea of what they are facing but Brown is more of a dual threat than Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar. Perhaps the most comparable dual threat challenge that the UAB defense faced was in the season opener against Alabama State’s Andrew Body, who accounted for 431 yards and five touchdowns against the Blazers. UAB didn’t play against Brown last season because he was injured. In 2023, Brown had 260 yards and two touchdowns passing and 136 yards rushing, including a 60-yard touchdown, but was also intercepted twice in a 56-35 UAB victory. Brown’s top targets are Keshaun Singleton (38 catches for 659 yards, 6 TDs) and Jeremiah Koger (28 catches for 467 yards, 6 TDs).
When UAB has the ball: First things first, if UAB turns the ball over the Blazers don’t have a chance. Giving away points and possessions are not part of the recipe to beat the Bulls. Of course, that starts at the quarterback position where it appears that Jalen Kitna will once again get the start. Kitna is looking to close out what might be his final college football season with a pair of strong outings. Kitna is averaging 294 yards passing per game in the seven games where he played the bulk of the snaps. But he’s also thrown seven interceptions, including a pair last week. He is facing a defense on Saturday that is one of the best in the conference in creating turnovers. South Florida has 11 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries this season. Taking care of the football, whether it’s Kitna or Ryder Burton at quarterback, is critical. South Florida is susceptible to giving up yardage. The Bulls allow 400 yards per game with 267 of that coming through the air. South Florida is solid against the run but expect Alex Mortensen to try to establish the running game if possible. Jevon Jackson, is one of the more dependable running backs in the conference, had 159 yards rushing in last week’s loss to North Texas. South Florida outside linebacker Mac Harris has been outstanding with 90 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Cornerback Jarvis Lee has 10.5 of the team’s 67 tackles for loss. Lee also shares the team lead with two interceptions.
Special teams: Kickoff coverage was a problem for the Blazers in last week’s loss to North Texas. The Mean Green averaged 47.5 yards on two returns in the game. For the season, though, UAB has been solid on kickoff coverage. UAB allowed 26 yards per return on 22 kickoff returns in the first 10 games. South Florida hasn’t been much of a threat of kickoff returns thus far. Alvon Isaac averages 20.7 yards per return on eight returns and the Bulls average 17 yards per return as a team. Isaac is a threat on punt returns, averaging 21 yards per return on six opportunities.
Hello my name is: Jaylen Elder. The true freshman wide receiver with a promising future is still searching for his first college catch but played a season-high 24 snaps in last week’s loss to North Texas. He was targeted on a deep pass from Ryder Burton against the Mean Green but the ball was intercepted. Will his first reception come on Saturday?
Trend to follow: UAB trailed UConn, 24-0, at halftime and fell into a 21-point hole in the first quarter last week against North Texas. Turnovers were a big part of the problem in both of those slow starts. Do the same thing on Saturday and the game could be decided early.
How USF wins: Give the ball to Byrum Brown and let him do his thing. Winning the turnover battle will also be an important factor.
How UAB wins: Get off to a good start, avoid turnovers, get the running game moving, limit explosive plays and do the best to keep Brown from running wild. Is that too much to ask?
Coach’s corner: Has chatter around Alex Golesh’s future residence been too much of a distraction for the Bulls? Heading into last weekend, USF was considered the favorite to get the G6 berth into the college football playoffs. Now, some of the USF fans wouldn’t mind if Oklahoma State – or someone else – hires Golesh as its next head coach.
One more thing: UAB will honor 29 seniors during Senior Day festivities before Saturday’s game. Thirteen of the seniors on the list played one season at UAB. One of the honorees is former linebacker Jax Van Zandt, who had to retire from football because of injuries but spent this season working with the defense as a student coach.