The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Continues Preparations For Memphis
10/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB football team took the practice field here Tuesday for just under two hours in helmets and shorts, as the Blazers try to get ready for their nationally-televised game at Memphis on Nov. 1. The game, which will be broadcast on ESPN2, kicks off at 6:30 p.m. (CT) from the Liberty Bowl. The Blazers hold a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series and have beaten Memphis five-consecutive times.
"Spirits are good," said UAB head coach Watson Brown. "I think we're going to re-group, give this thing a good shot and see what we can finish this season out with. I feel good about where they are right now in their minds. At this point, I think having more time to prepare is good for us. It helps us get over these losses, mentally, and it gives us more time to get ready for Memphis. We can also get some more time for some fundamental work because I thought last game was our worst fundamental game of the seven we've played."
UAB is trying to break a three-game skid, as the Blazers are 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Conference USA. Senior quarterback Darrell Hackney will lead UAB's offensive attack, as he looks for his fourth defeat of the Tigers in his career. Hackney has 2,144-passing yards and 13 touchdowns already this season. The record-setting quarterback moved into sixth all-time in passing yards in Conference USA history after throwing for 407 yards and three touchdowns in last week's loss to Southern Miss.
Memphis improved to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in Conference USA with a 27-24 victory over East Carolina Saturday in Memphis. The Tigers have won three of their last four, behind several impressive performances by Heisman Trophy candidate senior running back DeAngelo Williams. He currently leads the nation in rushing with an average of 187.0 yards per game and 12 rushing touchdowns.
"Nobody else has been able to stop him," said Brown. "We're going to give it our best shot. Its kind of neat that two of the best players in the history of Conference USA are playing against each other in this game. If we go one-on-one against DeAngelo, we're not going to win. We have to get a lot of bodies on him. You try to contain him and you try to not let him completely beat you and take you out of the game. You do your best to contain him and you want to make sure to not let the rest of the team beat you while you put a lot on him."
In addition to being televised nationally on ESPN2, the game will be carried live on the ISP Blazer Sports Network on the flagship station, WYDE-FM 101.1.
