The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Finalize UTEP Gameplan
11/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team wrapped up its final practice in helmets and sweatpants in frigid conditions on Thursday before Saturday's game at 24th-ranked UTEP. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. MT/5:15 p.m. CT at The Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. The game will be televised on the i network. Head coach Watson Brown believes practicing in Thursday's cold weather will help his team for Saturday's game.
"It went good today," said Brown. "It's supposed to be cold out there too, so this is good for us. It was windy and cold and we got to throw and catch in the cold, so it was good. Everyone's spirits are great, I think we're ready to play."
UAB (4-5, 2-4 C-USA) dropped a 27-21 decision to C-USA 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.
No. 24 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.
In addition to being televised on the i Network, the game will be carried live on the ISP Blazer Sports Network on the flagship station, WYDE-FM 101.1
