UCF, UAB continue their fun runs through college football

UCF Knights and UAB Blazers are Group of 5 programs which keep opening eyes in college football.

The Knights are 7-0, ranked 10th in the national polls. The Orlando-based program has a 20-game winning streak dating back to 2017.

While some programs are trying to figure out how to just win a few games, UAB went from dormant after pulling the plug on football in 2014 to quickly winning consistently. Head coach Bill Clark guided his troops to an 8-5 mark last season, including victories over Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee and Southern Miss. The Blazers are off to a 6-1 start this season, fresh off an impressive second half rally to down North Texas.

There are locals aiding the success of both of the above mentioned squads.

Junior middle linebacker Nate Evans is a product of John Curtis where he was a two-time All State honorable mention. The 6-foot-1, 241 pounder is the second leading tackler for UCF with 48 stops, four tackles for loss and a 94 yard fumble return for a score last Saturday against East Carolina.

Former Brother Martin star Brandon Hayes, a junior defensive end, has made an impact with 22 tackles, 6 TFL and two sacks. Evans fielded offers from Army, La. Tech, Tulane, ULL, Southern Miss, Kent State, Houston and Troy before deciding on the Knights.

Former South LaFourche offensive lineman Bailey Granier is now a grad transfer with UCF after originally playing at Vanderbilt.

Lots of credit for the continued success in Orlando goes to Josh Heupel. In his first season after picking up where Scott Frost left the program upon his departure to Nebraska, Heupel has kept the Knights rolling with no sign of a drop off.

The UAB Blazers as mentioned are such an intriguing story. The program has only made it to a bowl game twice since 1996 but they have come back from the dead to be stronger than ever. The defense this season has dropped opposing quarterbacks 27 times this season, allowed 302 yards per game (12th nationally) and given up an average of just 15 points per outing.

UAB was expected to be among teams in the middle of the Conference USA pack but not seem primed to win the league.

Locals performing for UAB include a pair of seniors – tight end Donnie Lee out of Helen Cox and wide receiver Kailon Carter from Hahnville – and hulking sophomore defensive tackle Tyrus Walker (6-3, 345) out of Landry-Walker.

The Blazers could wind up in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, possibly against Appalachian State. ULM and La. Tech are two other teams with ties to the R&L Carriers Bowl who could end up in the Dome.

ULM’s defense is among the nation’s best in sacks with 23. Dual threat QB Caleb Evans makes their offense go.

La. Tech senior defensive end Jaylon Ferguson, a St. Francisville product, is tops in the country with 10 sacks.

Speaking of bowl season, I am hearing more and more that LSU could be facing Oklahoma or Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. That is, if the surprising Tigers don’t advance to College Football Playoffs.

LSU’s Grant Delpit tops the FBS with five interceptions. The sophomore safety also has 54 tackles and four sacks. The Tigers are the top team in the nation with 14 interceptions. To stay on the CFP path, that playmaking ability versus the pass with have to show against No. 1 Alabama.