Jonathan Williams, Nick Perry
Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams, left, tries to get past Alabama defensive back Nick Perry (27) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Sarah Bentham)
(Sarah Bentham)
UAB's defense has just about seen it all in seven games this season.
The Blazers (4-3, 2-2 in Conference USA) have faced dual-quarterbacks such as Mississippi State's Dak Prescott, the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and Middle Tennessee State's Austin Grammer.
They've seen classic drop back passers such as Western Kentucky's Brandon Doughty and even faced a version of the pistol offense when they took on Alabama A&M back.
But every team they've faced up to this point, a list that also includes Troy, Florida International and North Texas has had one thing in common -- they all have run some form of the hurry-up, no-huddle offense.
That will change Saturday, when they travel to Fayetteville to face Arkansas at 11 a.m. in a game that will air live on the SEC Network. The Razorbacks prefer a more traditional attack where they huddle after each play before pounding the rock with a pair of primetime running backs.
"Everyone has that in their arsenal," UAB linebacker Jake Ganus said of the hurry-up, no-huddle offense. "Nowadays, I think you have to have that or a changeup or most teams that who they are now."
Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema has been one of the staunchest critics of the hurry-up, no-huddle offense since its resurgence.
In 2013, its first-season under Bielema, Arkansas ran fewer plays per game than any team in the SEC at 64.7.
But that doesn't mean they won't present a daunting challenge to the Blazers.
The Razorbacks are rated fourth in the SEC in total offense, averaging 454 yards and 38.3 points per game, including 256.9 yards rushing and 197.3 passing a contest.
Arkansas junior running back Jonathan Williams is third in the SEC with 677 yards rushing on 104 carries. Sophomore Alex Collins is third in the league with 665 yards and eight touchdowns on 103 attempts.
UAB's defense ranks sixth among 13 Conference USA teams against the run, allowing 155.4 yards a contest on the ground. The Blazers have given up 11 rushing touchdowns this season.
"I think it's different," Clark said of playing a team that huddles. "They have their own way of making it fast. They may huddle them and then spring them to the ball. So, it's harder then to see that personnel or what kind of formation they're going to come with versus a tempo team that may be playing fast but you get to look at that formations. I think that's how they, sometimes, pop those runs because you can't get aligned right."