The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
View from the Booth - David Crane
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 10, 2010
Blazer fans,
Greetings from Dallas, Texas, as the Green and Gold ready for the first Conference USA game of the season. UAB and SMU will hook up Saturday night here in the Lone Star State, and the Blazers are looking to get the bad taste of last Thursday out of their mouths.
The loss to Florida Atlantic was disappointing, for any number of reasons. A great start to the game, especially by the defense, was wasted. A record-setting night by David Isabelle in his first career start wasn't quite enough. Good special teams play throughout the game was negated by the last, unfortunate few minutes. And last, but certainly not least, a great crowd left disappointed.
The bad news is the Blazers are 0-1. The good news is UAB has 11 more games. A season is not made or ruined by the season opener. Goals may have to be adjusted, but the season is still in front of the Green and Gold.
Saturday night is a big one for coach Callaway and company. It's the first C-USA game of the season, and it's also the first road game of 2010. One positive to playing last Thursday is the fact the Blazers have had a little extra time to get ready for the Mustangs. Throw into the mix SMU played in Lubbock on Sunday afternoon, and I like the set-up for this game.
The Ponies came up short against Texas Tech, but June Jones has this program headed in the right direction. They were the most improved team (by record) in all of college football last season, and the high-powered run-and-shoot offense is not one to be taken lightly. The UAB defense will have to maintain the intensity and execution they showed in the first quarter last week for the entire 60 minutes on Saturday night. The Blazer offense will need to repeat its performance of last Thursday...score a bunch of points and hold on to the ball for long periods of time.
I'll be interested to see if UAB can have a good long-term memory, and at the same time, have lousy short-term recollection. Last year against SMU in week two, UAB rallied in the second half, but came up short. Turnovers, miscues and poor execution at times proved costly, not only in the 35-33 loss to the Mustangs, but for the next few weeks. That loss seemed to linger and hurt the Green and Gold in the next couple of outings. So, I hope they remember how costly that loss proved to be a season ago...and I hope they've totally forgotten the FAU game, so as to not let it happen again.
Something I know I'll never forget is the morning of September 11th, 2001. During what is going to be a tremendous day of college football, I encourage everyone to take a moment and remember that horrible day in our nation's history. Be proud of and thankful for this great country and those that help fight to keep it great.
Enjoy your Saturday, and GO BLAZERS!!!
DC
