The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Meets With Media Regarding Game With Houston
11/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- UAB head football coach Watson Brown, along with several UAB Blazer players, met with the local media here Monday to discuss UAB's upcoming game against Houston at 3 p.m. at Legion Field on Saturday. The game will be the Blazers' final home game of the season.
Saturday marks the fifth meeting between the Blazers and the Cougars, with UAB leading the series 3-1. Houston won the last meeting, beating UAB, 56-28, in Houston, Texas in the final regular season game of 2003 for both teams.
UAB is trying to rebound after consecutive losses to Tulane and USF. The Blazers are now 5-3 overall and 3-2 against Conference USA opponents.
Houston defeated East Carolina, 34-24, on Nov. 6. The Cougars have won their last two game, improving to 3-6 overall and 3-3 in C-USA action.
UAB has had a few days off since its loss to USF put off the Blazers' goal of becoming bowl-eligible for at least another week.
"I think we had a tough game and a tough week," said Brown. "We needed some time to regroup a little bit and work some things out. I think we were able to do that and needed a couple of days where we didn't have to worry about the next opponent. We could kind of get ourselves in gear a little bit. I feel good about it and I think we're going to come back strong this week against Houston."
Houston ranks first in the conference and fifth in the nation in pass defense. The Cougars are also fourth in total defense and fifth in passing offense in C-USA.
"Houston is a good team," Brown said. "We're going to have to play really well to win, but I think our spirit will be back and our confidence level will grow again. I felt good about the team this week at practice. Houston has played well the last two weeks. They are much better on defense than they were a year ago. Their offense is still very good."
The Blazers have made some changes in coaching duties since the USF game. Offensive line coach Rick Christophel has been moved over to the defensive line. Assisting him with those duties is special teams coordinator Woodrow Lowe.
"I think we made a mistake when coach (Pat) Donohoe resigned," said Brown. "I didn't put a coach with those kids. I think it hurt them on the field and I think it hurt them off the field. I think we got fragmented from that point, on defense. Now we have coach Christophel and coach Lowe over there. We're putting them both over there to help out. I think the linemen feel better about it. Maybe we can get back on track again."
PLAYER QUOTES
CENTER Matt Batusic
On the USF game
"It was tough for us as a team to lose two (games) in a row. We have done what we needed to do to rebound for this week's game. This week it is going to be real important for us to play well and to win."
On the players getting together as teammates
"As position groups, we got together and resolved to do better. Since we've done that, we have gotten more spirit and unity. I think that we may have been missing some pieces before but we have all worked hard together to pick each other up."
On Houston
"They are a good team and we are going to have to play well to beat them. It is real important for us to bounce back and play well. Our spirit has been so much better because everybody wants to do well, especially the seniors. With this being their last home game, they want to play well for their home crowd."
DEFENSIVE TACKLE Shamar Abrams
On the USF game
"We just did not play a great game. It is frustrating for us as a team. As a team, we sat down the day after the game and made sure we made some corrections and that we got back into the swing of things. At the last couple of practices it has really shown that the guys got the pep back into their step. I feel that we are ready for this game."
On his college career
"It seems like just yesterday that I was a freshman watching the guys and now I am a senior getting ready to graduate. It is amazing how emotional I am right now, but I feel that we are doing a great job with trying to get the guys back on the right track."
Quarterback Darrell Hackney
On the seniors getting together
"I was actually in the meeting with the seniors. They talked about what they needed to do to win this game against Houston and that's all we are worried about. We are going to put the other games in the past and move on. We know what mistakes we need to correct both offensively and defensively to win this game against Houston. Offensively we must take care of the ball, limit our turnovers and put some points up on the board. Special teams must make some big plays like we did in the beginning of the year.
