UAB cornerback Starling Thomas V is a no-nonsense leader for a defense that has reasserted itself as a top-20 defensive unit.

Specifically one of the best in the nation in slowing down high-volume passing offenses.

When Thomas calls his cornerback brethren together to scout the opposing quarterback and receivers, the fifth-year senior from Birmingham refers to it as a staff meeting because of the occupational aspect of dissecting multi-faceted aerial assaults.

“We all go in and see what they do when they do, and how they lineup,” Thomas said. “We come prepared. Everybody takes practice as a game, no slacking off. If somebody gives up a pass in practice, we’re on them because it’s a missed opportunity. There’s a lot of talent in the room and everybody pushes each other to be better. That’s a brotherhood.”

Thomas and teammate Mac McWilliams, along with the rest of the UAB secondary, is on high alert as the Blazers hit the road to the bluegrass to face one of the top passing attacks in the nation in Western Kentucky, Friday, Oct. 21, at Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Read more on UAB sports:

Position-by-position breakdown for UAB vs. Western Kentucky

Jordan ‘Jelly’ Walker tabbed C-USA Preseason Player of the Year

UAB men’s basketball picked to finish first in C-USA preseason poll

The Blazers and Hilltoppers both sit at 2-1 in conference action entering what could be an epic battle between dominant opposing forces. UAB has the third-best passing defense in the nation, collecting nine interceptions while giving up only four passing touchdowns, and Western Kentucky is averaging 40 points per game with its sixth-ranked passing offense (344.7 ypg).

UAB has had success this season in slowing down aggressive passing attacks and is adept at game-planning for multiple formations and receivers. The blazers held Georgia Southern’s third-ranked passing offense to 204 yards, allowing 1 touchdown and grabbing 3 interceptions, and Charlotte’s 38-ranked passing game to 214 yards, again allowing a single passing score while collecting 2 interceptions.

“That’s what the whole game is about: matchups,” UAB cornerbacks coach Daric Riley said. “They (Western Kentucky) do a great job, they’re very fast and talented and run good routes off the line of scrimmage. We have to prepare to face their best players and they do a good job of putting them in great situations. It’s going to be a challenge and our guys are up for it.”

Thomas and McWilliams have started every game at cornerback for UAB this season and lead a defense ranked third in pass efficiency defense (97.42) and 15th in passing yards allowed (176.2 ypg). The latter has produced 14 tackles, 8 pass breakups and a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Thomas has collected 12 tackles and 6 pass breakups.

“They’ve both played a ton of snaps and Starling has been here for what seems like forever and D-Mac (McWilliams) has been in the starting lineup since he got here,” Riley said. “They’ve got a lot of experience and they’re great kids and fun to coach. They do a great job of listening and trying to do the things you want them to do so they’re able to put themselves in position.”

UAB’s starting corner duo is tasked with defending two of the best receivers in the league, Malachi Corley and Daewood Davis, but will need help from the likes of Devodric Bynum, CD Daniels, Colby Dempsey, and the backend of the secondary, in keeping track of seven players with either more than 100 yards or two touchdowns.

“They’re a big factor on the defense,” McWilliams said. “All of us, we come out here every day, we come to practice ready to work and we’re ready to play when our number is called.”

For McWilliams and Thomas, Corley and Davis are the primary targets and have produced as such. Corley leads the Hilltoppers with a team-high 45 receptions for 529 yards and 6 touchdowns and Davis has 44 catches for a team-leading 610 yards and 5 touchdowns.

In slowing down two players on track for more than 1,000 yards each this season, the labor begins with homework and attending the “staff meetings.”

“Staying in the film room,” McWilliams said. “Watching film and seeing their tendencies and what they do. We’re really tough on it and watch film all the time. It keeps us ready to come out here and play. We don’t focus on the individual, whoever lines up (across from us) is who we’re going to guard.”

Aside from individual responsibilities, McWilliams and Thomas will have to relay to the rest of the defense in hopes of keeping receivers contained so that the defensive front can affect Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed.

“Their communication with the other guys on defense (is important),” Riley said. “When they come off the field, they can communicate with us as coaches and give us a chance to draw things up and make adjustments where needed.”