The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Football Team Forced To Practice Indoors
9/25/2002 12:00:00β―AM | Football
Sept. 25, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.----- With only three days before the University of Alabama at Birmingham (1-3, 0-0) opens its Conference USA schedule against Memphis (2-2, 1-1), tropical storm Isadore wreaked havoc on the Blazers practice, forcing them to practice inside Bell Gymnasium here Wednesday.
"I'm disappointed because we do not need to miss days of practice," UAB head coach Watson Brown said. "We don't get the same thing indoors as what we get done outdoors and that is a concern. We really needed three good days of practice. We just haven't had a break this season, but I thought the kids handled it well."
Due to the lack of space inside the gym, the defense practiced from 2-3:30 p.m. while the offense was in meetings. At 3:30 p.m., the teams flip-flopped with the offense on the practice floor and the defense in meetings. Both units practiced in helmets and shorts.
The starting quarterback situation is still a question mark, and will be decided by the coaching staff Thursday, according to Brown. Redshirt freshman Darrell Hackney practiced most of the afternoon on the gym floor, seeing plenty of repetitions, similar to Tuesday's practice.
"In this kind of setting, it's hard to tell if Darrell will be ready," Brown said. "If he is not too sore and able to do the things we need him to do, then he will be playing. We're not going to make any final decisions until we see what Darrell can do."
A few players were added to the growing list of Blazers who will miss Saturday's contest. Randal Gibson, Deijon Hart and Hassan McKeithan are not expected play this weekend due to lingering injuries. On the other side, Hackney looks as if he will get some playing time, as will offensive lineman Anthony Larry who will step onto the field for the first time in several weeks.
Saturday's kickoff against Memphis is slated for 6 p.m. at Legion Field.
