The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Hold First Preseason Scrimmage
8/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 11, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team held its first scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday afternoon at Legion Field. Head coach Neil Callaway saw some positives during the two-hour scrimmage in 100-degree temperatures, but also noted there were too many negatives.
"To be honest, I thought we didn't have the enthusiasm or spark we should have had," Callaway said. "I know we are in the middle of camp and aren't fresh by any means, but when it's your first scrimmage and first time playing in the stadium on your home field, there should be more excitement. We need to take pride whenever we come to play here."
Despite the lack of enthusiasm, there were some bright spots. Quarterbacks Joseph Webb and Sam Hunt, who are competing for the starting job heading into the 2007 campaign, performed admirably. Webb completed 11-of-19 attempts for 196 yards and two touchdowns, while Hunt was equally impressive, throwing for 141 yards on 13-of-17 passing and three touchdowns. Each quarterback had one interception on the day.
Callaway would not give either quarterback a glowing recommendation; however, as both committed what their head coach termed as "critical mistakes" during the scrimmage.
"We're going to have to look at the film and see, but I thought both did some good things," Callaway said. "Both made critical mistakes that we can't have and I am not happy about that."
Webb also led the team in rushing, racking up 84 yards and a touchdown on 13 rushing attempts on the afternoon. Meanwhile, sophomore Rashaud Slaughter collected 55 yards on six carries, including probably the most entertaining run of the afternoon, breaking approximately six tackles on his way to a 41-yard scamper. Other rushing performances include sophomore Jim Mitchell's 26 yards on seven carries, while senior Tony Shepherd rushed for 17 yards on five carries.
Despite losing some key wide receivers during the offseason, there were a few impressive performances on the afternoon. Junior Sylvester Mencer proved he is capable of earning a starting position, grabbing six receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Darryl Harris also performed well with four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, while freshman Mike Jones had two catches for 43 yards. Slaughter also had 50 yards receiving on two catches and a touchdown.
However, it was the play of freshman wide receiver Mario Wright that caught Callaway's attention. Wright caught six balls for a team-leading 85 yards and a touchdown on the day.
"Without a doubt, Mario Wright is someone who looked real good," Callaway said. " He stood out and made some big plays for us."
Defensively, Callaway was disappointed and feels that is an area the Blazers need to improve before next Saturday's scrimmage.
"Overall, I was a little disappointed with the defense," Callaway said. "They gave up way too many big plays. For the first defense to go against the second offense and give up two or three touchdowns is just way too many and shouldn't happen."
The players will have the day off Sunday before resuming two-a-days on Monday.
The Blazers' season opener at Michigan State will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Sept. 1 in East Lansing, Mich. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.
