Primetime at Protective: UAB and Birmingham can make a homecoming statement

How big is Thursday night for UAB?

Big enough that Ray Watts came down from the tower to tell you about it.

The UAB president — a man not often associated with athletic enthusiasm, for reasons Blazer fans know well — recorded a video this week urging Birmingham to show up at Protective Stadium for homecoming against East Carolina. SportsCenter on Campus. Primetime football. ESPN. Cameras everywhere. Even Watts knows what this is.

He's not wrong.

UAB hosts East Carolina on Thursday night at 6:30 on ESPN in the first meeting between these programs in 13 years. Matt Barrie and Chase Daniel will broadcast SportsCenter live from the plaza at Texas de Brazil adjacent to the stadium starting at 4 p.m. A national audience will be watching. Don't be surprised if there's a lively crowd at Protective.

UAB has marketed this game like it matters. Give them credit for that.

The prior administration was heavily criticized for a lack of marketing around athletics. Whether interim AD Andy Kennedy authorized this push or it was already in the works is beside the point. The effort is there, and it's visible.

Coach Alex Mortensen hit JOX2 on Tuesday evening for Blazer Sportsline. Wednesday, he was on WBRC Fox 6 at 7:50 a.m. Cam Jennings went on Alabama's 42 at 8:45. CJ Smith hit WBMR 107.3 at 9. Ryder Burton joined 3 Man Front on JOX at 1 p.m. Thursday, Mortensen and Kennedy join SportsCenter on Campus at 4.

That's a media blitz. That's a program trying to get Birmingham's attention.

And then there are the promotions to get people through the gates. Kids 12 and under get in free — use code U12FREE online through 2:30 p.m. Thursday, or claim the offer at the Protective Stadium box office with the purchase of a reserved ticket. UAB students get in free. Three-dollar draft beers at all concessions that offer them. Five-dollar domestics stadium-wide.

It's great to see UAB trying.

Here's why it matters.

It has been a long time since UAB football broke through when everybody was watching. When the Blazers had Birmingham's attention.

The Bill Clark era had those moments. The early years of the return had them. A program that came back from the dead and won conference championships — that gets attention. But lately, the spotlight hasn't been there. The buzz hasn't been there. Slowly but surely the Blazers are breaking out of the DiLLLLLLfer doldrums. The evidence has been piling up along with some wins.

Thursday night, it's there. National primetime on ESPN. Homecoming. A campus-wide celebration that starts with a parade at noon on campus and builds all the way to kickoff. SportsCenter broadcasting live from outside the stadium. Foam light batons for the crowd. The Marching Blazers performing at halftime. Basketball players meeting fans in the Family Fun Zone. Grayson Cash coming back as Gridiron Great. The whole production.

Heck, even Diehard might show up with some free T-shirts for folks.

This is the opportunity to make Birmingham pay attention.

Now here's the thing about this opportunity.

Losing isn't devastating. East Carolina is favored by 4.5 points. The Pirates have one of the best defensive fronts in the country, and UAB's offensive line has struggled to protect the quarterback all season. Our Really Big Preview breaks the matchup down in detail — the numbers say ECU should win.

A loss means UAB has more work to do. It doesn't change the trajectory.

But winning? Winning when people are actually watching?

Showing that Alex Mortensen's effort to turn this program around is paying dividends — on a national stage, against a quality opponent, in a game the program marketed like a program that believes in itself?

That's a statement. That's the kind of night that changes how people talk about UAB football — not just in Birmingham, but across the conference.

The Blazers haven't beaten East Carolina since 2006. Chris Felder and a 17-12 win — the last time UAB got the best of the Pirates. Before that, 1999 — the night Rodregis Brooks left on a stretcher and came back wearing his mom's jersey. Both stories are worth reading before Thursday. UAB certainly has beaten the Pirates before when they ventured into Birmingham as a favorite.

This is the first meeting between these programs as American Athletic Conference members. The last game was a 63-14 ECU blowout in Greenville in 2013. UAB shut down its program after the 2014 season. A lot has changed, including the venue. This is the first time the series moves to Protective Stadium. The other meetings were in Greenville or at old Legion Field.

For a full statistical breakdown of Thursday's game, the Really Big Preview has you covered. And here's what Mortensen said heading into the week.

If you're going Thursday, here's what you need to know.

Noon — Homecoming Parade on campus (14th Street South between University Blvd. and 10th Ave. South)

12:30 p.m. — Tailgate lots open

2:30 p.m. — Blazer Village opens outside Protective Stadium. Live music from Chase Stewart, Bud Light Beer Garden, inflatables, sponsor activations. Grayson Cash meet-and-greet at the marketing tent after Blazer Walk.

4 p.m. — SportsCenter on Campus at Texas de Brazil, adjacent to the south side of the stadium. Matt Barrie and Chase Daniel broadcast live until 4:30. Get there early and wear green.

4:05 p.m. — Blazer Walk through Uptown

5 p.m. — Stadium gates open

6:30 p.m. — Kickoff on ESPN

Tickets: Kids 12 and under free (code U12FREE online through 2:30 p.m., or at the box office with a reserved ticket purchase). UAB students free with mobile ticket. Ticket office: 205-975-UAB1.

Parking: Free parking at 12th Street Parking Deck with complimentary Blazer Express shuttle to the stadium from Hill Student Center. Runs continuously and for one hour after the game. Details at BlazerGameDay.com.

Concessions: $3 draft beers. $5 domestic beers stadium-wide.