Michigan State

In the first game of the Neil Callaway era, the Blazers would make their first-ever trip to the state of Michigan in this 55–18 defeat by the Spartans. The Blazers would fall behind 42–0 before Swayze Waters hit a 35-yard field goal before the half. After a safety early in the third, Waters would hit a pair of long field goals (50 and 47 yards) and score the seasons' first touchdown on a 15-yard Joseph Webb reception from Sam Hunt in the fourth. For the game, the Blazers were outgained on offense 593 to 226 total yards.^[2]

Florida State

On the road, the Blazers would take a 17–10 lead at the half only to give up 21 points in the third in this 34–24 defeat to the Seminoles. UAB would take the early lead on a 27-yard Swayze Waters field goal, and extend it to 10–0 on FSU's ensuing possession with Will Dunbar returning an interception 21-yards for the score. In the second, Sam Hunt would score on a 4-yard run to extend the lead to 17–3, before the Seminoles responded with a touchdown of their own in narrowing the lead to 17–10 at the half. Florida State would open the third with a pair of touchdowns to take a 24–17 lead, before UAB responded with a 16-yard Joseph Webb touchdown reception from Hunt to knot the game at 24. However, the Seminoles would close the game with 10 unanswered points to seal the 34–24 win.^[3]

Alcorn State

The first win of the Callaway era would come in the seasons first home game with a 22–0 victory over the FCS Braves of Alcorn State. Swayze Waters would star in hitting 5 field goals from 42, 32, 52, 22 and 38 yards respectively. The Blazers would visit the end zone only once on a 4-yard David Sigler touchdown reception from Sam Hunt in the second quarter. For the game, Waters set a team record for most field goals in a game, tied the team record for longest Blazer field goal (52 yards) and tied the conference record for most field goals in a game.^[4]

Tulsa

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Mississippi State

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Tulane

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Houston

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East Carolina

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Southern Miss

UCF

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Memphis

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Marshall

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Coaching staff

• Neil Callaway – Head Coach
• Kim Helton – Offensive coordinator/tight ends
• Eric Schumann – Defensive coordinator/safeties
• Corey Barlow – Cornerbacks
• Tim Bowens – Receivers
• Lorenzo Costantini – Defensive line
• Steve Davenport – Running backs
• Will Friend – Offensive line
• Tyson Helton – Quarterbacks/recruiting coordinator
• Tyson Summers – Linebackers
• Steve Martin – Strength and Conditioning/Football & Baseball
• Ervin Lewis – Director of Football Operations