The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Three Blazers To Play In Blue-Gray Classic
12/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 20, 2001
UAB Football players Rod Taylor, Jegil Dugger and Marlon Bush will all play for the Gray squad in the 64th Annual Kelly Tires Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic, Christmas day in Montgomery, Ala.
The game will be televised nationally by ABC. Kickoff is set for 11:00 am CST Tuesday, Dec. 25 at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl.
Taylor, a Montgomery native (Carver H.S.), was a two-year starter at linebacker for UAB, earning First Team All-Conference USA honors as a senior. He led the Blazers with 110 tackles (66 solo) in 2001, and was one of the main contributors to a UAB defense that led the nation in rushing defense (allowing 57.27 yards per game) and was ranked fifth in total defense (allowing 265.91 yards per game).
Bush, from Athens, Ala. (East Limestone H.S.), was a four-year starter and literally played every position on the defensive line during his career. He played end as a senior, and was a member of the Blazers' "Steel Shield" defensive front. Bush had 37 total tackles in 2001 (16 solo).
Dugger, a Birmingham native (Midfield H.S.), was a four-year letterwinner at running back for the Blazers. He ranks second all-time in UAB history with and first in the school's NCAA Division I-A era (1996- ) in rushing yards with 1,979 on 453 carries (a 4.4 per carry average). Dugger had 13 career rushing touchdowns, tying him for first in the UAB Division I-A era (with former QB Daniel Dixon) and for second in Blazer football history (also with Dixon).
The three Blazers are the latest in a string of UAB players to participate in the Blue-Gray Classic, dating back to 1994. Last season, defensive end Otis Leverette, tight end Undrae Crosby, and running back Carl Fair played for the Gray squad, which was coached by UAB Head Coach Watson Brown (with assistance from defensive coordinator Rick Christophel).
