North Texas (2-3) at UAB (3-2) Preview

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FACTS & STATS: Site: Legion Field (71,594) -- Birmingham, Alabama. Television: Sinclair, ASN. Home Record: NT 2-1, UAB 2-1. Away Record: NT 0-2, UAB 1-1. Neutral Record: NT 0-0, UAB 0-0. Conference Record: NT 0-1, UAB 1-1. Series Record: UAB leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: Two up-and-down Conference USA foes will face off at Legion Field on Saturday afternoon, as the UAB Blazers play host to the North Texas Mean Green.

Since losing its one and only C-USA game at home to Louisiana Tech on Sept. 11 (42-21), North Texas easily dismissed Nicholls State on Sept. 20 (77-3) before dropping a road contest at Indiana last Saturday (49-24). The Mean Green are 2-3 overall and have yet to win on the road in two tries.

Just like North Texas, UAB has neither won nor lost two straight games this season, settling in at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Blazers are coming in on a high note after capturing a 42-39 triumph at Western Kentucky last weekend.

In the only previous meeting between these programs back in October of 1995, UAB came away with a 19-14 win.

On the season, North Texas has been very efficient in scoring a lot of points (34.4 ppg) while generating only 320.0 ypg. It only scored 24 points a week ago, with most of that production coming late in the game already down by four touchdowns.

The Mean Green only throw for 141.0 ypg and employ two quarterbacks under center. Dajon Williams has been the more effective passer, completing 61.8 percent of his throws for 479 yards, eight touchdowns (two rushing) and two picks, while Josh Greer (.480, 171 yards, two INTs) has struggled.

In the backfield, Reggie Pegram (228 yards, three TDs) and Antoinne Jimmerson (224 yards, two TDs) earn the majority of the work, although Erick Evans (19 carries,

157 yards, three TDs) has arguably been the most efficient runner.

Carlos Harris (24 receptions, 262 yards, two TDs) is the unquestioned top target for the quarterbacks, as he has more than twice as many catches and yards as anyone else.

Defensively, North Texas has performed solid yet unspectacularly, allowing 27.6 ppg and 364.8 ypg while forcing 12 turnovers.

Derek Akunne leads the squad with 34 tackles. James Jones (24 tackles) has two interceptions and a fumble recovery, while Chad Polk (4.5 sacks) and Tillman Johnson (3.0 sacks) have generated a strong pass-rush.

UAB's offense exploded in the second half last week, overcoming a 13-point deficit and finishing with 591 yards. Moving the ball up and down the field has come easily for the Blazers, as they average 37.0 ppg and 498.4 ypg.

Jordan Howard and D.J. Vinson make up a potent running back duo. Howard has turned 103 carries into 564 yards and five touchdowns, and while Vinson's rush totals are modest (84 carries, 346 yards), he has a nose for the end zone with seven scores.

Cody Clements has been stellar under center by completing just shy of 70 percent of his passes for 1,035 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He's also a threat outside the pocket with 105 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

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