The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Brown Addresses Media at Weekly Luncheon
11/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 18, 2002
November 18, 2002
UAB Blazer head coach Watson Brown spoke at the weekly football press conference Monday on his expectations for this week's game against the Louisville Cardinals.
The Blazers (5-5, 4-2 Conference USA) will take on the Cardinals Saturday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium at 1:00 EST in Louisville, Ky. The game is one of the two remaining games that could determine if the Blazers go to a bowl game this year. The Cardinals currently lead the Blazers in the all-time series, 2-0, with back to back victories in 1999 and 2000.
The Blazers are coming off a 36-29 win over East Carolina with redshirt freshman quarterback Darrell Hackney who threw for 424 yards and three touchdowns. This brings Hackney's passing yards this season to 1755 and 14 touchdowns.
Sophomore linebacker Zac Woodfin lead the defense side of the Blazers with ten tackles. Senior wide receiver Willie Quinnie caught a 94-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter that was the second longest offensive play in UAB history and marked his third 100-yard plus receiving game of the season. Sophomore wide receiver Roddy White also finished the game Saturday eclipsing the 100-yard receiving mark with eight catches and 159 yards.
Louisville (6-4, 4-2 C-USA) is coming off a 20-17 win over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in a dramatic overtime win at Southern Miss on Thursday. The win over Southern Miss clinched the Cardinals a bowl trip for the fifth consecutive year.
Watson Brown's expectations are high for the upcoming game: "Louisville is really good on their defense and our defense is going to have to play well. But their special teams are also one of their strengths and lately we have been struggling with that. We are going to have to take a step up to win the game. At this time of year, you like to see the kids take a step up. We are going to have to play on a little higher level in efficiency but I think we are capable of that because we have gained a lot of confidence. We have played a lot of close games with a late road win, so I think we are going to travel to Louisville with a lot of confidence and we are going to see if we can play better."
On the game versus East Carolina: "They challenged us more, a little bit like how Houston did. They brought a lot of people at us which did surprise us, but yet they did more of it than Houston I thought. They were good on offense and I think our defense has not gotten enough credit. Our defense did a good job in the game and held the East Carolina offense down pretty well, but ECU's offense got hot. It was one of our better pass protection days and we still had a few sacks but not near what we have had. I think our linemen took a step up because they knew that Darrell (Hackney) was hurt and that he was not going to be able to run around much. They had to do a better job."
On the Special Teams: "The last three games we started with two punt returns and two blocks. We cannot beat either one of these last two teams if we don't get that corrected. We have been a great special teams group here and it's disappointing to me that we have had this problem because I am not used to this. Nick Hayes is just phenomenal, he has just had one of these years that everything he has done has turned into gold. He has kicked off well, he has made a couple of tackles that I don't like having to happen on kickoffs, but he hasn't missed an extra point. The only field goal Haye's missed hit the upright. He has just had a great year and I hope he can put two more games with it."
Roddy White on Darrell Hackney: "He is a great player. He had a big game and came through in many different ways. Even though he is hurt he comes out and plays. He comes to practice every week so he can get the timing down for the game. He does a great job and wins games."
Darrell Hackney on receiving Offensive Player of the Week honors from Conference USA: "It's a good feeling. It is something I have been dreaming about all my life. To be able to play college football and to win awards, but I can't let that get to my head."
Hackney on his play: "I have more confidence as time goes on and I get more comfortable. I feel more comfortable in the pocket and I just feel more comfortable leading the team. I have been a leader everywhere I have been and the quarterback should be the leader. I take it one game at a time and try to get UAB to a bowl game."
Zac Woodfin on the defense: "I think our defense has really stepped it up a whole lot and we are getting a lot more experience. I think we are really coming into our own now, everyone is getting used to each other and how each other play. I think that the defense as a whole picked it up. Hopefully we can keep doing well."
Woodfin on the Louisville Game: "We definitely have to stop Dave Ragone (Cardinals' quarterback). We can't let him have all night to pass; we have got to have a lot of pressure on him. If the defense can come in and put a lot of pressure on Ragone and keep him from passing as much, I think we will have a good chance of keeping the score down."
