Two head coaches leading AAC programs for the first time got things started on the right foot on Thursday evening.
Trent Dilfer coached his first game with the UAB Blazers and secured a 35-6 win over North Carolina A&T. Quarterback Jacob Zeno made the start and set a school record with 38 completions on 41 attempts. He threw three touchdown passes in that game.
Dilfer made his pride in his team known after their season-opening victory.
"I'm really proud of the coaches and kids," Dilfer said following the victory. "Everybody keeps asking me about my emotions. My emotions were about them. A lot goes into college football. I haven't been surprised by any of it, but the investment these people make is pretty significant. You feel very connected to their success. So, I'm really happy to see them have success."
'Is there a lot of room for improvement? Absolutely. We got so many things we got to get better at, but just super super happy for them."
In a somewhat parallel scenario, Kevin Wilson coached his first game heading up the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Thursday. Tulsa ended the night with a 42-7 win against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
"It was a good win. A lot of errors. Some things to clean up on. A lot of things that we're trying to be not a part of our game that we have to learn to take out," said Wilson after the game. "But it was a good start, and proud of the work. Excited to get the win. Excited to be 1-0."
UAB will play at Georgia Southern next Saturday, Sept. 9, in Statesboro.
Tulsa will next travel to Seattle for a contest against the University of Washington on September 9.
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