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FACTS & STATS: Site: Legion Field (83,091) -- Birmingham, Alabama. Television:CBSCSN. Home Record: USM 3-0, UAB 1-1. Away Record: USM 0-1, UAB 0-2. Neutral Record: USM 0-0, UAB 0-0. Conference Record: USM 1-0, UAB 1-1. Series Record: Southern Mississippi leads, 9-0.

GAME NOTES: The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles will try to bounce back from their first loss of the 2009 campaign, as they invade Legion Field to take on the UAB Blazers in Conference USA action this Thursday.

The Eagles kicked off a three-game road trip this past weekend and despite a valiant effort, they were unable to upend nationally-ranked Kansas, falling 35-28. A win would have probably propelled USM into the Top 25, but instead the loss snapped what was the nation's second longest winning streak at eight games. Now at 3-1 overall, the Eagles return back to C-USA play, where they are 1-0 following a 26-19 win over UCF earlier this season.

As for the Blazers, they have dropped three straight decisions after downing Rice to open the season. Most recently, UAB was delivered its worst loss of the campaign, a 56-19 setback Texas A&M this past weekend. The Blazers now turn their focus back to league action and will try to improve on their 1-1 conference ledger.

UAB though, has had no success versus USM, dropping all nine meetings between the programs, including an embarrassing 70-14 setback in last season's encounter.

The Golden Eagles were able to move the ball on Kansas last weekend, but when it mattered most, the offense came up empty and was held without a point in the final quarter of a 35-28 loss. Quarterback Austin Davis led the team in defeat by throwing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. The steady gunslinger also scored a touchdown on the ground though, he also committed a pair of turnovers. Davis continues to shine for USM and he has completed 67.7 percent of his tosses this season, with eight scores against only one interception. DeAndre Brown is his main target and he pulled in four balls for 85 yards and a score last weekend. It was a terrific performance by Brown, who was brought back slowly following a broken leg in last year's bowl game. The ground game however, was nonexistent for the Eagles last weekend and that was a big surprise considering the unit is averaging over 200 rushing ypg. Damion Fletcher was held to just 27 yards, a big letdown for a player that had rushed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns heading into the bout versus Kansas. He did catch three balls for 70 yards and getting Fletcher involved in anyway is certainly a good idea.

USM just could not slow down Kansas enough last weekend and the defense gave up 433 total yards and 32 first downs in the loss. The Eagles, who are surrendering just 297.0 total ypg on the year, were torched for 331 passing yards on 30-of-42 pass attempts. The defense did do some positive things like force a pair of turnovers and record five sacks, but it still spent over 36 minutes on the field and that is way too long. Korey Williams turned in an all-around effort with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and sack to pace the Eagles. It was another great showing from Williams, who leads USM with 32 stops, three sacks and two forced fumbles on the season.

The Blazers did little on the offensive side of the ball over the weekend, gaining just 303 total yards and only 13 first downs in a lopsided loss to Texas A&M. UAB set itself back with 11 penalties and it went just 3-of-14 on third-down conversions. Their were some positives to take from the game though, as the Blazers rushed for 229 yards and didn't turn the ball over after committing eight in their first three games. Quarterback Joe Webb was held in check, throwing for just 60 yards and rushing for 65 and a score. The dual-threat gunslinger is one of the most dangerous players in C-USA and he is a big reason why UAB is averaging 230.5 rushing ypg this season. Webb has gone for a team-high 432 yards and four scores on the ground, in addition to throwing for 612 yards and five more touchdowns. He however, is prone to mistakes and has been picked off five times thus far. Frantrell Forrest gives Webb an explosive option through the air and he has 11 catches, including three touchdowns, to pace the UAB wideouts.

UAB has a lot to be concerned with when reviewing the defense's performance this season, as the Blazers are giving up 35.5 ppg and 480.8 total ypg after four outings. Last weekend, the defense was torched for 544 total yards, including 236 rushing, and 30 first downs by Texas A&M. The unit managed only one turnover and sack, while allowing Texas A&M to convert 14-of-17 third down chances. UAB has really struggled on third down this season, as opponents are able to convert 48 percent of the time. Bryant Turner recorded his team-best third sack of the season in the loss, while Keon Harris came up with his second fumble recovery of the campaign. Another player to keep an eye on is Chase Daniel, who paces the defense with three interceptions.

The Golden Eagles are simply too talented and explosive for UAB to compete with and they should have their way with the Blazers once again this Thursday.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Southern Mississippi 38, UAB 20