The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Focused On Upcoming Game At Mississippi State
10/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 1, 2007
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team is preparing for its final non-conference game on the 2007 slate at Mississippi State on Saturday. The game will mark the third meeting between the two schools, with the series tied at one-all.
"We're looking forward to going to Starkville," said UAB head coach Neil Callaway. "They have an extremely good defense. They're very physical, strong and fast upfront, and also have good speed in the secondary. Their front four and front seven are going to be a tremendous challenge for us offensively.
"I think when you talk about playing Mississippi State's offense, you have to start with their two physical running backs. They have a big, strong and physical offensive line and they have two big, strong and physical running backs. I think that's where we have to start."
The Blazers are looking to repeat their 2004 victory in Starkville, 27-13, and avenge their 16-10 overtime loss at Legion Field in 2006.
"I wasn't here for the first part of the Mississippi State series," said Callaway. "But, I think it's a very good game for our program.
UAB (1-3, 0-1) is coming off a 38-30 loss at Tulsa this past Saturday and is looking to return to its winning ways against the Bulldogs. Most recently, Mississippi State (3-2, 1-2) saw its three-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of South Carolina, 38-21.
"Obviously, we're extremely disappointed in losing the football game (at Tulsa)," said Callaway. "It's a game where we knew we'd have to score some points. I think defensively we needed to play better.
"We have to go back and make sure we're practicing better and doing the things that we need to do to be successful. I think we want to compete, we want to try and do well. But, the bottom line is we need to win football games, so that's where we're at.
"I think they (Mississippi State) are underrated. I know they are very good defensively first of all. I think they can play with anybody in the country because they play such good defense."
UAB and Mississippi State will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss.
Head Coach Neil Callaway
On the Blazers' loss to Tulsa last Saturday:
"Obviously, we're extremely disappointed in losing the football game. It's a game where we knew we'd have to score some points. I think defensively we needed to play better. Two things you have stop on defense is the run and allowing the deep ball, and both of those things happened to us on a regular basis on Saturday night. That's disappointing that we let those things happen. We have to go back and make sure we're practicing better and doing the things that we need to do to be successful.
"Offensively, even though we scored 30 points and had some good offensive productivity, I still felt that we left three or four touchdowns off the board that we could have had if we executed better. We knew we were going to be in a game where we needed to score points, and the fact that we didn't get that done is disappointing. I think we want to compete, we want to try and do well. But, the bottom line is we need to win football games, so that's where we're at."
On the upcoming game at Mississippi State:
"We're looking forward to going to Starkville. They have an extremely good defense. I think they're very comparable to Florida State. They're very physical, strong and fast upfront, and also have good speed in the secondary. Their front four and front seven are going to be a tremendous challenge for us offensively.
"On offense, they've had some issues at quarterback. My understanding is that they have two quarterbacks that are hurt and I don't know exactly what they are planning to do. I think when you talk about playing Mississippi State's offense, you have to start with their two physical running backs. They have a big, strong and physical offensive line and they have two big, strong and physical running backs. I think that's where we have to start. Again, we're looking forward to going to Starkville."
On whether or not Mississippi State is underrated in terms of how good they may be:
"I think they are underrated. I know they are very good defensively first of all. But, I think they can play with anybody in the country because they play such good defense."
On his team being excited to play a SEC team and if it is any different from other games:
"Well, I hope that we are looking forward to every team that we are playing. Whether we're playing an SEC or Conference USA team, I hope we'd like to win every game no matter the opponent. We better be ready to play every week."
On his ties with the Mississippi State coaching staff and how much contact he has with them leading into the game:
"I really haven't had a lot of contact with them. I guess with this new modern world, we've text messaged each other a couple of times, but I've not really had any conversations with them besides running into head coach Sylvester Croom a couple of times at different functions, but he's probably the only one I've talked to. I know they have an excellent coaching staff. Ellis Johnson does a great job on defense. We played together at Alabama and he's a good guy and good coach. I feel the same way about Woodrow McCorvey. I've known him longer than I've known Ellis and Woodrow has been around a lot of great programs and a lot of great players. Sylvester and I played together and I know that he's a first class guy and he believes in hard work and discipline and doing things the right way. I feel very fortunate to be competing with them Saturday.
On any advantages UAB might have over Mississippi State:
"It's hard to say that you have an edge against a team that is so physical. Compared to where we are at right now, I think their defense is extremely physical and the same thing goes for the offense. I think with their offensive line and running backs, we're really going to have to buckle up and get ready to go."
On the offense the Blazers can expect from the Bulldogs:
"I can't say that I know that they will run the ball a lot, but I would assume that. I think we better be ready to stop the run. I don't think they'll be one dimensional by any means. There is always going to be some mixture of throwing and running in there."
On how Mississippi State compares to Michigan State and how much that game helps prepare UAB for the Bulldogs:
"There are a lot of similarities between the two teams. Hopefully, we are better prepared for Mississippi State after facing Michigan State. Looking back at the Michigan State game, we had six out of the front seven defensive guys that had never played college football, and seven out of the 12 all together. I think defensively we were a little nervous going into East Lansing, but now we have a few games under our belt. Hopefully, we'll be able to work this one out a little better."
On how playing regional schools helps with recruiting and how else it helps the program:
"I think it helps a lot when you play people that are close to you regionally. Our primary areas for recruiting are Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and the panhandle of Florida, and I think that anytime that you can play in that area, you get better exposure. Also, playing a quality opponent in the SEC helps you. Getting those games home and home (with Ole Miss) will help even more. I wasn't here for the first part of the Mississippi State series, but I think it's a very good game for our program. I think that when you get those types of teams coming into your place, you build a better fan base."
Running back Brandon Thornton
On playing Mississippi State:
"I know how the guys are and they are going to be ready to play. I'm just excited to get a chance to see them again and play against them."
On if he has talked with former teammates:
"I've talked to them the past couple of weeks wishing them good luck on their games. They have called me wishing me good luck on our games."
On knowing that UAB would play Mississippi State when he decided to play for the Blazers:
"I looked at the schedule and knew about it. I'm just excited. I'm ready to play against my old teammates and have some fun."
On looking to prove something at Mississippi State:
Every coach has their own aspect on what they want. I'm just going to go out there and play and do the best I can.
On his level of comfort playing in Starkville:
"To a certain extent it will be. I was there for a little while, so I know how things go. I've played over there, so I'm just going to go out there and try to make everything normal."
On playing for Mississippi State when UAB won in Starkville:
"I didn't actually get a chance to play, but I was there. It would be really good. It would be positive for our program here at UAB."
On motivation playing Mississippi State:
"I take every game the same. I just go in there and play. It's all out of fun. I'm just going to play like I do every other game."
On taking the focus off of him and putting more focus on the team:
"It is real difficult coming from Mississippi State. A lot of folks are asking questions about the coaching staff and how everything was over there. I want it to be more about UAB versus Mississippi State, than Brandon Thornton versus Mississippi State."
On the UAB offense:
"We have a lot of improving to do, but I believe once we start clicking as a whole, everything will fall into place. I believe we are going to be alright offensively."
On coming back from an injury:
"Being able to have contact, I believe I've progressed a good bit. That first game coming back against Alcorn State, I felt a little rusty, but getting more experience and getting back to the game speed, I believe I've progressed a good bit."
On pushing himself harder for the Mississippi State game:
"I believe I will. I'm trying to push myself harder."
Defensive End Joe Happe
On playing Mississippi State:
"I'm just really excited to get over there and play. It's always fun to play an SEC team. It's big football. It's going be fun"
On Mississippi State's offense:
"I'm looking forward to playing an upfront offense instead of all that misdirection stuff. It's tough to play against an offense like Tulsa when they run it so well. It's more fun to play running teams because you get into more action."
On playing on the road a lot this season:
"I think everyone has grown up a lot in the past four games. Our defense has got better every week. We are getting used to it."
Offensive Lineman Adam Truitt
On getting up for an SEC opponent:
"I don't think there is a different kind of mindset. We try to approach every game the same way. It's always serious. Sometimes we do a little bit, because you hear about the SEC a lot more than Conference USA. I feel like this is just another game."
On this game's importance for running back Brandon Thornton:
"I'd like to see him get a win. I know it's important to him. I'm sure he wants to go out there and have a good game. He hasn't really said anything about it. He gets excited about every game, but I know that he's got to be excited to go play these guys."
