2025 MAC Football Week 3 Game Preview: Akron Zips at UAB Blazers
Two games, eight quarters, and zero points.
Those are the numbers define the Akron Zips’ season so far. In their quest for their first points and win of the season, Akron (0-2) finds a reprieve against a UAB (1-1) defense that has struggled in their first two games, allowing 92 points. For as bad as Akron has been, the UAB game is the first of two winnable games for the Zips that could turn its season around entering MAC play.
Game notes
Time and date: Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time
Location : Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama
TV network options: The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+; a valid subscription is required for viewing. Coverage by Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (color analyst).
Radio options: David Skoczen (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (color) will provide the Akron call for David Skoczen (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (color) will provide the Akron call for WHLO-AM 640
Gambling considerations: UAB favored by 11.5 points, with an over/under of 57.5, UAB favored by 11.5 points, with an over/under of 57.5, per FanDuel
All-Time Series: UAB won the only previous meeting between the two sides back in 2019, by a final score of 31-20.
About the Akron Zips
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 6: Sean Patrick #13 of the Akron Zips runs down the sidelines against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) Getty Images
Quarterback Ben Finley has had one of the worst starts to the season imaginable, completing less than 40 percent of his attempts. A game against UAB’s poor pass defense could be just what Finley needs to boost his confidence. UAB has allowed a 75 percent completion percentage and five touchdowns on 32 passes this year. The quarterback run game should thrive for Akron, too. Michael Johnson Jr. should find holes against a UAB defense that allowed Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body to run for 129 non-sack rushing yards and Navy’s Blake Horvath to run for 72. The Zips have tried to use Johnson Jr. as a change-of-pace, but he has started slowly with just 25 yards on nine non-sack carries.
The running back room is arguably the strength of the Zips offense. Sean Patrick, Jordan Gant and Marquese Williams all rotate and have shown solid burst at times. Patrick had 67 yards on 12 carries against Nebraska, while Williams and Gant combined for 55 yards on 14 carries. Akron must utilize the run game to keep UAB’s prolific pass offense off the field. Furthermore, the Zips cannot afford to depend on the pass game given Finley’s early season struggles.
In the receiving corps, Kyan Mason and Marcel Williams both lead the team with four catches, but the Zips lack a true deep threat. Their longest completion of the season to this point was a 19-yard pass against Nebraska.
There is reason for concern on the offensive line after allowing five sacks in their first two games. Luckily, UAB only has two sacks so far this year, both against Alabama State.
Linebacker Shammond Cooper leads the defense with 19 tackles and two tackles for loss. Bruno Dall is the defensive line’s most disruptive player. Dall’s six-foot-seven stature causes him to wreak havoc in the passing game. Dall already has three pass deflections on the year, while also notching 1.5 tackles-for-loss against Wyoming. Division II transfer Julien Laventure is also an impact player on the defensive line with 1.5 TFLs against Wyoming. Safety Justin Anderson leads the secondary, with nine tackles against Wyoming and a forced fumble against Nebraska.
About the UAB Blazers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - AUGUST 28: UAB’s Iverson Hooks (0) celebrates a TD during the game between the UAB Blazers and the Alabama State Hornets on August 28, 2025 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Homan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Quarterback Jalen Kitna leads a prolific pass offense that scared Navy well into the second half. Kitna threw for 304 yards and a pair of touchdowns. However, he also threw two costly interceptions. Kitna has a high ceiling and had multiple 380+ yard games last year. So far, it looks like he is reaching his full potential in Trent Dilfer’s wide-open scheme. Kitna could have his best performance yet against an Akron secondary that allowed 494 passing yards to Nebraska and 260 to Wyoming’s normally run-heavy scheme.
The Blazer also have a solid run game. Jevon Jackson has 233 yards and has averaged over seven yards per carry in UAB’s first two games. Solomon Beebe has shown playmaking ability in open space and is a receiving threat, catching six passes for 77 yards against Navy. The Zips have had no answer for opponent run games, allowing 400 yards through their first two games.
Akron will have its hands full defending the receiver tandem of Corri Milliner and Iverson Hooks, who have combined for 24 catches for 348 yards across UAB’s first two games. Wyoming receiver Chris Durr (eight catches, 190 yards, one touchdown) and Nebraska receiver Jacory Barney Jr. (seven catches, 132 yards) each had field days against the Zips’ secondary earlier in the season.
Unfortunately for the Blazers, as much ease as they’ve had gaining points, opponents have retributively scored on UAB’s defense at will. The Blazers are allowing 40 points and 489 total yards per game so far. The run defense is arguably the weakest link, allowing 249 yards per game. Chris Burge is arguably the most dangerous player on the Blazers’ defensive line, totaling one of their two sacks on the year.
Devin Hightower leads the linebackers with a team-leading 16 tackles in the Blazers’ first two games. Calvin Pitcher joins him in the middle and had a sack against Alabama State.
In the secondary, safeties Pierre Royster and Sirad Bryant are both downhill playmakers. Royster had 11 tackles against Navy, while Bryant had a pair of tackles for loss. Cornerback Tamarion Crumpley broke up a pair of passes against Alabama State.
Final Thoughts
Akron should finally be able to get on the scoreboard this week against a porous UAB defense. However, their own defense shows some grave concerns on both the ground and in the air. Akron cannot afford to fall behind due to their passing struggles, but on paper, it sure does seem like UAB will be more than capable of getting ahead early and cruising on that lead late.