1. The Season Starts Here

Samford may kick off in Homewood at 6:30 p.m., but the first FBS game in Alabama belongs to Birmingham. At 7:30 p.m. inside Protective Stadium, UAB takes the field under the lights, officially starting the big-time college football season in the city that proudly calls itself the Football Capital of the South. UAB takes on Alabama State, a program still searching for its first FBS win (0-12), but hungry enough to make Birmingham’s season-opening stage anything but easy.

2. Halftime Belongs to the Hornets

Even if you’ve never seen Alabama State play, you’ve probably heard of their band. The Mighty Marching Hornets, along with their world-famous Stingettes dance line, are one of the most entertaining marching bands in the country. The halftime show is more than just entertainment. With a mix of precision, power, and pageantry, the bands often threaten to steal the spotlight from the game itself. For many, it’s as much a battle of the bands as it is a football game.

3. Dilfer’s Defining Moment

The pressure is on for head coach Trent Dilfer. In two years, his record sits at 7–17 overall and 0–12 on the road. Add in the fact that UAB lost nearly half its coaching staff this offseason and is breaking in 49 new players, and it’s clear this opener isn’t just another game — it’s a statement opportunity.

Yes, UAB has been outspent in NIL by American Conference rivals like Tulane, Memphis, and UTSA. But that only fuels the “UAB vs. the World” mentality that will define this season. For Dilfer and the Blazers, 2025 is make-or-break.

4. Players to Watch

This year’s roster includes five players named to the 2025–26 All-Birmingham Name Team, one of the city’s most unique honors. Leading the way is defensive end Amorie Morrison, an Old Dominion transfer already recognized by Bham Banner as one of the American Conference’s top players at his position. With so many fresh faces, the season opener gives fans their first look at who could emerge as the next stars of Blazer football.

✅ Bottom Line: From kickoff to halftime, from new-look UAB to the Mighty Marching Hornets, this isn’t just an opener, it’s a showcase of everything that makes Birmingham a football city.

Grab some friends and get out to Protective Stadium this Thursday at 7:30 PM.

Tickets start at $22: Football Single Game Tickets | UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham)