One team is intent on turning the corner, while the other is vying for a conference championship.
Last season, UAB running back Jermaine Brown Jr. accounted for 1,219 yards of total offense and 12 rushing TDs. Now, he’s a Doak Walker Award nominee, one reason Coach Trent Dilfer believes his Blazers are primed to make a run to the postseason. Another reason is quarterback Jacob Zeno (3,126 yards pass, 20 TDs, 58.1 QBR). In 2023, Zeno’s 73.6% completion percentage was just behind Oregon’s Bo Nix, now with the NFL’s Denver Broncos. Zeno’s favorite target, wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (47 catches, 858 yards, 7 TDs), is also in the NFL (with the Arizona Cardinals).
One of Zeno’s other targets, Fred Farrier II (18 catches, 266 yards, 1 TD), transferred to Kentucky. This means sophomore wideout Amare Thomas (53 catches, 437 yards, 3 TDs) and tight end senior Bryce Damous (24 catches, 242 yards, 3 TDs) will lead the receiving corps.
On the stop-troops side, UAB has five players with 50 or more tackles. Safety Keondre Swoopes leads UAB’s defense with 72 tackles and 2 INTs, followed by a duo of linebackers–Jackson Bratton (70 tackles, two sacks) and Michael Moore (63 tackles, one sack). Backfield stars include safety Ike Rowell (54 tackles, two forced fumbles) and cornerback Mac McWilliams (52 tackles and one forced fumble).
While the Blazers are intent on improving last season’s 4-8 (2-5 American Conference) performance, the Alcorn State Braves have their sights set on winning the SWAC. In 2023, the Braves were 7-4 overall, West Division co-champs, and winners of six of their last seven games.
Alcorn St. quarterback Aaron Allen (2,296 yds., 15 TDs, 63.5 completion percentage) is making his own NFL bid. He’ll play this season without the help of ASU’s leading rusher last year, Jarveon Howard (772 yards, 7 TDs), who signed with the Green Bay Packers. So, rushing duties will rest on the shoulders of junior Niko Duffey (43 carries, 174 yards, 1 TD) and sophomore Jacorian Sewell (135 rush yards, 1 TD). Leading receiver Monterio Hunt (33 catches, 555 yards, 4 TDs) returns for his senior season.
On the defensive side, Alcorn State’s leading tackler, Terreance Ellis (73 tackles, 3 sacks, two forced fumbles, 1 INT), transferred to Western Kentucky. That means defensive prowess will depend on how well DB Edwin Summerour (36 solo tackles, 50 total, 1 INT), LB Stemarion Edwards (47 tackles, one on each, one forced fumble), and others play.
UAB is a heavy favorite to beat Alcorn State (-17.5 Vegasinsider.com) in one of the earliest games of the season. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29. The game will be played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham and televised on ESPN+.
The odds are that the Braves will give the Blazers a good game, better than last year’s opener when ASU lost by 26 on the road to Southern Miss.
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NOTE: The Blazers were scheduled to open the season against in-state Alabama State, but the intended two-game series was pared back to one. UAB will open the ’25 season at home against ASU.
