The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Football Team Holds Spring Game
4/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 14, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team wrapped up its 2007 spring drills Saturday, and while Neil Callaway and the fans in attendance saw some good things on the Blazers' practice field, the head coach saw some areas that caused him concern.
"It was kind of a sloppy performance on both sides," said Callaway. "Offensively, we had way too many turnovers, a few picks and a couple fumbles. Defensively, we had way too many big plays given up. If we're going to win ballgames, we've got to eliminate those things. So, I was really disappointed in those two areas."
The Spring Game was held earlier than originally scheduled, moved up to 8:30 a.m. from its original 1:00 p.m. start time, due to the threat of severe weather headed toward the Birmingham area. The change in the time worked well as the Blazers played four 12-minute quarters under cloudy skies but with no rain.
Callaway and his staff structured the game so that UAB's No. 1 offense was teamed with the No. 2 defense while the No. 2 offense played on the same side as the No. 2 defense. When the game ended, it was No. 1 offense/No. 2 defense squad winning by a 22-16 score.
It appears the Blazers will enter fall practice in August with both quarterbacks - Joseph Webb and Sam Hunt - still competing for the starting job. "We'll sit down and evaluate it," Callaway said. "Both of them had a couple of picks today, but I think we've got two good quarterbacks in Joe and Sam. We'll go into camp and let them compete and see who it's going to be."
In Saturday's scrimmage, Webb finished with 199 yards passing as he hit 11-of 26 with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. He connected with WR Blake Thackston on a 54-yard touchdown pass and hit TE Jeffrey Anderson for a 5-yard score. Webb also had a rushing touchdown from a yard out.
Hunt was 7-of-14 for 56 yards with three interceptions while redshirt freshman Anthony Speight hit 6-of-10 for 82 yards.
Thackston finished with two catches for 60 yards, Anderson with three grabs for 42 and WR Courtney Smith caught three balls for 30 yards. Senior Nick Coon also had three receptions for 19 yards.
On the ground, it was sophomore Rashaud Slaughter leading the way as he ran 12 times for 97 yards, breaking loose for a game-long 60-yard scamper. His brother, T.J. Slaughter, also was productive as he ran for 49 yards on 12 carries.
Other than the big plays that were allowed, the defense played well. "I think the secondary as a whole did some things," Callaway said. "They had four picks. I think if you take away the big plays the defense gave up, the defense played pretty good. We just can't give up those big plays."
Callaway said he thought cornerback Brandon Carlisle had his best day of the spring as he had a pair of interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown (14 yards). It was the second straight scrimmage that Carlisle registered a pair of interceptions. He also did it April 6 in the previous scrimmage.
The other interceptions Saturday were recorded by safeties Will Dunbar who took one back 14 yards for a touchdown and Durrell Fuqua who returned a pick 21 yards. Linebacker Larry Blanchard also had an interception.
The kicking game was also inconsistent Saturday as placekicker Swayze Waters connected from 48 and 39 yards on field goals but failed on three extra point attempts.
Defensive end Brandon Jeffries also had a solid game as he registered a caused fumble and a pair of sacks. DE Joe Happe, DE Kelvin Quarles and safety Anthony Davis were among the other Blazers who had sacks in the game.
