The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Team Holds Second Scrimmage Of Spring
4/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 6, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team held its second scrimmage of spring drills, and 11th practice session overall, Sunday as the Blazers worked out for two hours.
Due to wet field conditions caused by rains in the area Friday and Saturday, the scrimmage was moved from Saturday to Sunday and was held at Hoover High School which has a "field turf" surface in its stadium.
UAB head coach Neil Callaway said he saw some good and bad in the scrimmage, both offensively and defensively. "I saw some good things on both sides of the ball," said Callaway.
"Offensively, we had some big plays, a lot of them created by Joe (Webb) which is good. But at the same time we need for our running game to step up with our running backs and offensive line. We've got to be able to run somebody other than Joe."
The running game was not able generate a lot of production in the scrimmage as walk-on Cornelius Murrell was the leading ground gainer with 49 yards on seven carries. Webb added 40 yards on eight rushes. Sophomores Dexter Barnett and Justin Brooks, currently at the top of the depth chart at running back, combined for just 32 yards on 12 attempts. Barnett did have a 3-yard touchdown run.
Webb had his second solid scrimmage as he proved to be a weapon on the ground and through the air. He finished with 186 yards passing as he hit 16-of-29 passes. He also had a 42-yard touchdown pass to Mike Jones.
Jones, of Nashville, Tenn., was the statistical star of the scrimmage as he registered four receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 63-yard TD catch from quarterback Rodney Bivens, Jr. "It was obvious he (Jones) made some big plays," Callaway said.
The big plays left Callaway not too pleased on the defensive side. "Defensively, I thought we gave up too many big plays in the drive situations, but I thought in the more defined situations, we made some good plays."
Sophomore Frantrell Forrest, who had 49 receptions last season as a redshirt freshman, made some quality catches in the scrimmage and finished with four receptions for 37 yards. Tight end Zach Lankford had three for 24 and tight end Jeffrey Anderson caught three for 47.
Aside from Webb, quarterback Anthony Speight was 3-of-5 for 32 yards while Bivens was 2-of-5 for 74 yards with a touchdown).
"Overall, I thought both sides competed hard and we saw some good things," Callaway said. "But by no means are we where we need to be as far as winning ballgames in Conference USA. I do think the guys are working hard and competing."
On the defensive side, Callaway singled out senior all-conference safety Will Dunbar, defensive end Bryant Turner and linebacker Kyle Roget with good performances Sunday.
"Defensively, we were kind of shorthanded," said Callaway. "We have some guys nicked up who didn't play. Will made some good plays, I saw Bryant Turner continuously getting pressure on the quarterback and I saw Kyle Roget make some good plays. He's been real steady this spring. For someone who hasn't been here very long, I've been pleased with what he's done."
Marquis Coleman and Matt Taylor recorded the only interceptions in the scrimmage, Coleman returning his pick for 24 yards.
The Blazers will now enter their final week of spring drills with workouts scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as the spring game slated for next Saturday, April 12 at Legion Field (1:00 p.m.).
Scrimmage Stats
Rushing: Murrell 7-49 yards; Webb 8-40; Brooks 5-18; Barnett 7-14, 1 TD; Dyck 3-8; Slaughter 1-4; Speight 1-2; Bivens, Jr. 1-(-7); Cowart (1-(-3).
Passing: Webb 16-29, 186 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; Speight 3-5, 32; Bivens, Jr. 2-5, 74, 1 TD, 1 INT; Cowart 1-2, 14.
Receiving: M. Jones 4-150, 2 TDs; Forrest 4-37; Anderson 3-47; Lankford 3-24; Harris 2-29; Barnett 2-(-6); J.Johnson 1-14; Schoolar 1-6; Mencer 1-4; Prince 1-1.
Field Goals: Trey Ragland 1-2 (29 good, 47 no good).
