The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Discuss UTEP Game With Media
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB head football coach Watson Brown and several members of the Blazers met with the media on Monday afternoon in Bartow Arena's Green and Gold Room as the team looks ahead to its game at 24th-ranked UTEP on Saturday, Nov. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. MT/5:05 p.m. CT at The Sun Bowl. The game will be televised on the i network.
UAB (4-5, 2-4 C-USA) dropped a 27-21 decision to East Divison leader UCF last Saturday in the Blazers' final home game of the 2005 season. Junior running back Marculus Elliott posted his first career 100-yard rushing game after carrying eight times for 116 yards and scoring his first two touchdowns of his career. UAB held a 21-10 advantage over the Golden Knights, but turned the ball over four times in the fourth quarter and saw its lead slip away.
UTEP (8-1, 5-1 C-USA) stepped out of conference last Saturday and picked up a 45-0 victory over Texas Southern at home. The West Division leading Miners entered the national rankings this week, becoming the first C-USA team to do so this season. Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between the Blazers and UTEP on the gridiron.
Head coach Watson Brown
On the UAB football reunion:
"Last Saturday was a special day with over 100 old players coming back for the reunion. It made us all feel good about where we are and where we've been. It was an emotional time for all of us."
On the loss to UCF:
"That game was the epitome of this season for us. We couldn't make the plays to finish and win the game."
On the talent of the Blazers:
"Our players are good enough to have a better record. They practice hard every week and have given the effort all year."
On Saturday's game at UTEP:
"We're all excited about going to El Paso. UTEP is the best team in our league and the best team we've played since Tennessee. Their offense gets most of the credit, but their defense is very good too. It's a great atmosphere and very loud when its packed. We still have some pride left to play for."
On the Blazers' senior class:
"We want to enjoy the two games we have left. We'd like to send our 17 seniors out with a winning record. They're a classy group of young men who have had great years here."
Defensive Lineman Sam Williamson
On the UAB offensive turnovers against UCF:
"We were put in a bad situation, but as a defense, that's our job. We have to step up at times like that."
On Saturday's game at UTEP:
"We're going to their house to play the best team in the conference. We've been better on the road this year, so we're going to go in there fighting."
On playing a ranked, first-place opponent:
"It helps us play hard when we play a team that's supposed to be better than us. It gives us a little more fire to play with."
Quarterback Darrell Hackney
On the UCF game:
"I take responsibility for the game against UCF. We had four turnovers in the fourth quarter and I had three of them. I have to play better and make better decisions. It's key to take care of the ball and put my team in a position to win."
On UAB's remaining schedule:
"We know what's at stake. We know we have to get a win to at least get a look at a bowl game. We are going into the UTEP game confident, knowing our chances of winning the game are good. We've been playing good ball, but we seem to be one or two plays away from winning the games."
Wide Receiver Lance Rhodes
On the difficult breaks this season:
"When the situation comes for us to make a play or get a stop, we aren't coming through. For whatever reason, we just aren't making the plays."
On UAB's turnovers Saturday:
"We had four turnovers in the fourth quarter and that's just a combination of a bunch of little mistakes. It wasn't anything on Darrell, we just couldn't make plays. Darrell puts a lot on his shoulders but he shouldn't. He makes plays that keep us in the game and we can help win games in other areas."
On the Blazers playing well on the road:
"We have been a better road team this year. I'm not sure why that is, but it seems like we put things together better away from home. I'm hoping we carry that over into the next two weeks. As seniors, we want to go out in a positive way."
On UAB's bowl chances:
"If we win the next two games, then we'll become bowl eligible. I think there is a chance, so we try to stay positive."
