The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Hold Final Full Practice Prior To Marshall Game
10/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 27, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB football team held its final full team practice on Thursday, making final preparations for Saturday's Conference USA match up at Marshall. The Blazers practiced for approximately 90 minutes during the morning session, working out the final details of their gameplan for the showdown against the Thundering Herd.
UAB head coach Neil Callaway was generally pleased with how his team practiced throughout the week, leading up to the meeting in Huntington, W.Va. on Saturday.
"It's been a good week for us," UAB head coach Neil Callaway said. "I thought Tuesday was a little rusty but that may have been due to us having a few extra days off. Wednesday was good and I thought today we looked fine."
The Blazers and Herd are set to meet for the seventh time in series history when the two teams take the field this weekend. UAB has recorded just one victory in the all-time series, a 23-21 win on Oct. 18, 2008 at Legion Field. UAB will be looking for its first victory ever at Marshall (0-3).
There are certainly some concerns for Callaway on both sides of the ball, but in particular with the Herd's defense and special teams. Marshall enters the contest ranked first in the country in tackles-for-loss (70) behind the play of defensive lineman Vinny Curry, who is atop the national leaderboard in that category (17) and is second in sacks (9.5). The Herd is also tied for sixth in fumbles recovered (10) and eighth in punt return yardage (16.140).
"They have a good football team," Callaway said. "Their skill guys on offense are dangerous and then defensively, their guys up front are very physical and bring a lot of pressure. It's something we are going to have to be ready for."
Callaway also named his captains for the contest which include Trey Ragland on special teams, Lamanski Ware on defense and Jonathan Perry on offense.
Saturday's game will kick off at 11 a.m. CT with the pregame show on the Blazers IMG Sports Network set for 9:30 a.m. The contest will be carried on radio via Birmingham affiliate WJOX-FM 94.5, with David Crane and John Whitcomb on the call.
Saturday's game will also be televised regionally by CSS.
