The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Bad Weather Forces Blazers Inside
8/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Due to the inclement weather the UAB football team was forced to practice indoors here Monday. The defense practiced for 45 minutes, then the offense practiced for 45 minutes in Wallace Gym, a facility adjacent to the practice field. This marked the first time during the preseason workouts that the Blazers practiced inside.
The players were originally scheduled to practice in shorts, and the move indoors did not force head coach Watson Brown to drastically alter the practice. Brown expressed his relief that the weather dictated only a slight modification in the planned practice.
"The weather didn't affect us too badly today because we were in shorts and it was a running day today; particularly on offense," said Brown. "We were planning to rest the quarterbacks' arms anyway. Tomorrow we'll go back to passing, but today we didn't want to punt, kick or throw the ball, so we really lucked out."
The Blazers practiced for the first time following Saturday's scrimage. Brown expects to see more growth from his team, particularly the second string, in the final weeks leading up to UAB's first game of the season.
"I saw what I expected to see on Saturday," Brown said. "Some of the two's have got to step up. There are a lot of guys that are going to have to play against Tennessee, because we can't play 80 plays with only our ones. There are a few positions that I think the twos are ready to play, like the defensive line, the running backs and a little bit at linebacker. The wideouts aren't far off either, because each of the guys can play, but there's not a big difference between them. Other than that we've got to have the two's step up if."
UAB opens the season by traveling to Knoxville, Tenn., to face Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 3. The Blazers and Volunteers play at Neyland Stadium at 12:30 ET/11:30 CT, in a game that will be televised regionally on Jefferson Pilot.
The Blazers are scheduled to return to the practice field for a full pads practice on Tuesday at 2:40 p.m.
