UAB prepares for season opener at Illinois

UAB opens the season Sept. 3 at 9 p.m. ET against Illinois in the programs' first meeting. The matchup is UAB's first Big Ten game since 2012 and begins Alex Mortensen's first full season as head coach; Illinois will be without Jayshon Platt and Daniel Brown, with Hudson Clement and Robert Edmonson expected back. UAB's receiver injuries and the resulting evaluation of young players, including CD Gill, add a key personnel storyline ahead of the opener.