Steve Irvine’s Five Storylines For UAB vs. Navy
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 27, 2024
NAVY VS. UAB
Site, kickoff time: Protective Stadium, 11 a.m.
Record: Navy 3-0 overall, 2-0 AAC; UAB 1-2, 0-0 AAC
Five storylines
1. How will the UAB offense attack the Navy defense? On paper, it seems easy to guess what approach the Blazers will take against one of the worst pass defenses in the country. Navy allowed 289.3 yards passing during the first three games, which is 126th out of 133 FBS teams. That number is skewed by the 385 passing yards compiled by Memphis in the 56-44 Navy victory last week. But, the Midshipmen also allowed 277 passing yards in a win over Temple. With Jacob Zeno, who is completing nearly 71 percent of his passes, and playmakers at receiver, the Blazers have the ability to move the ball through the air. However, after three games, balance has been the mark of the UAB defense with 123 rushing attempts and 96 passes. It will be interesting to see what approach the UAB offense takes against Navy.
2. Will turnovers be a factor? Turnovers are always a factor. UAB struggled in that department this season, committing seven turnovers in three games and forcing just three turnovers. Navy, on the other hand, is plus-four in the turnover margin (six forced, two committed) and haven’t lost a fumble yet this season. One of the turnovers that Navy forced turned into an 86-yard return for a touchdown after a Rayun Lane interception, which provided the game-clinching points in the win over Memphis. Lane had a 97-yard interception return by a score to finish off Navy’s 31-6 win over UAB last season. A clean game would be huge for the Blazers on Saturday.
3. Can UAB limit the production by Navy quarterback Blake Horvath? The 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior averages 137 yards passing and 122 yards rushing per game and accounted for 12 touchdowns in three games. Last week alone, he had 416 yards in total offense and accounted for six touchdowns. Obviously, the defensive game plan begins with the talented Navy quarterback. But, one of the strengths of this Navy offense is the big-play ability of fullback Alec Tecza (31 carries for 190 yards, two rushing TDs, 1 catch for 10 yards), Snipe Z wingback Eli Heidenreich (12 catches for 240 yards, four TDs, 10 rushes for 48 yards) and Snipe A wingback Brandon Chatman (15 carries for 89 yards, TD, four catches for 123 yards, two TDs).
4. What will UAB’s passing game distribution look like? After three games, UAB wide receivers have 36 catches for 367 yards, running backs have 19 catches for 124 yards and tight ends have 13 catches for 121 yards. UAB has 13 players with at least one catches with Kam Shanks (15 catches for 147 yards) and Amare Thomas (13 catches for 114 yards) leading the way. Shanks and Thomas have three of UAB’s five receiving touchdowns, with wide receiver Brandon Hawkins Jr. and tight end Dallas Payne grabbing one each. Surprisingly, Iverson Hooks, who injured his knee early in the 2023 season, is not one of the 13 UAB players with a catch. Is this the week that Hooks breaks out?
5. Pay attention to red zone production. Navy scored touchdowns in all 11 of its red zone trips. The Midshipmen are the only team in the country with a touchdown in every red zone trip thus far. On the other side, Navy opponents have scored seven times in 11 trips red zone trips with five touchdowns. The 63 percent red zone success rate for Navy’s opponent place the Midshipmen 11th in the country in red zone defense. UAB scored nine times in 11 red zone trips with five touchdowns and four field goals. The Blazers are tied for 90th in the country in red zone offense. On defense, UAB opponents scored on 11 of 12 red zone appearances with six touchdowns and five field goals. UAB is 93rd in the country in red zone defense.