The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Enter Game Week With Complete Focus Toward Michigan State
8/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team finally got a little relief from the weather, practicing without pads for approximately an hour and a half on Friday afternoon. With only eight days remaining until the season-opening contest at Michigan State, UAB has its full attention focused on the Sept. 1 opener in East Lansing, Mich.
Even though the Blazers had a light workout on Friday, practicing under cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80's, they still worked on some crucial game preparations. The Blazers spent most of the practice concentrating on field goal situations, one-minute drills and special teams, among other things.
"Today was a light day," UAB head coach Neil Callaway said. "We practice without pads and worked on some situations where things could happed to you at the end of a game. So when those situations arrive in a close ball game, we don't screw them up."
UAB is coming off a scrimmage Thursday, which resulted in the light practice Friday afternoon. However, Callaway expects his team to return Saturday for a physical practice, and begin implementing the Michigan State game plan.
"We are going to have a good, physical practice on Saturday," Callaway said. "I know we are a tired football team right now, so we are going to do some things for them to get their legs back on Sunday and Monday. We will have a couple of days to get ready to go, and then get after it on Tuesday."
Prior to Saturday's practice, UAB will hold its annual preseason football Fan Day, as Callaway invites fans to join the team for "Breakfast with the Blazers."
Breakfast with the Blazers will take place from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at UAB's Bartow Arena. Callaway and his assistant coaches will serve breakfast beginning at 9:00 a.m. and then the team will arrive at 10:00 for an autograph and photo session with fans.
The breakfast, provided by Full Moon, will include French Toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, hash browns, coffee and orange juice. All UAB football season ticket holders and current UAB students are invited to attend the event free of charge. The breakfast will cost $5.00 for all other guests attending. Tickets to the event can be purchased at the door.
"I am looking forward to meeting all the fans, and I think it is important for the players to get out there and meet them as well," Callaway said. "Myself, my staff and some of our seniors are going to serve breakfast to show them our appreciation for all they do for us. We are looking forward to it."
The Michigan State/UAB contest will begin at 11 a.m. CT, and will be nationally-televised on ESPN2.
Tickets for the 2007 UAB football season are available now from the UAB Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets online at UABsports.com or by calling the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-8221. Single-game tickets start at just $15.
