BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In retrospect, the first play of the day proved it was going to be a long afternoon for the visitors.
After an opening kickoff return that gave UAB the ball on their own 30, the Blazers took the field in a standard shotgun look for their offense. Wideout to each sideline, tight ends on the line itself, quarterback Dylan Hopkins ready for the snap with running back DeWayne McBride to his side. With the snap, Hopkins faked a handoff to McBride, while Middle brought pressure.
Along the MTSU sideline, Deonte Stanley was guarding Trea Shropshire man-to-man.