The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Looking Toward High-Powered Houston Team
10/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB football coach Neil Callaway met with the media Monday at his weekly press conference as the Blazers turn their attention to this weekend's Homecoming game against No. 14 Houston.
Callaway was joined by sophomore defensive end Connor Boyett and senior defensive tackle Adam Arthur as the group recapped last weekend's loss at Marshall and discussed the challenge of facing one of the nation's most potent offenses.
Led by quarterback Case Keenum, the Cougars (8-0, 4-0 C-USA) rank first nationally in total offense (612.4 ypg), passing offense (453.3 ypg) and scoring offense (52.3 ppg). Keenum fired nine touchdown passes in last week's 73-34 win over Rice, five of which went to receiver Patrick Edwards.
UAB (1-7, 1-4 C-USA) suffered a 59-14 road loss at Marshall on Saturday, picking up a pair of second-half touchdown runs from Nick Adams and Darrin Reaves.
Saturday's UAB-Houston kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT with the game to be televised by CBS Sports Network.
The Blazer IMG Sports Network radio broadcast will air locally on WUHT-FM 107.7 in Birmingham. David Crane and John Whitcomb have the call with Sam Miller on the sidelines. The pregame show begins 90 minutes before kickoff.
Here are some highlights from Monday's press conference:
UAB Head Coach Neil Callaway
Opening statement
"Wrapping up the Marshall game, obviously I was very disappointed in our performance up there. For the second time this year, I don't think we were ready to play. That's my responsibility, so I didn't do a good job in getting them ready to play. Why? I don't know. I wish I could tell you why. All I know is that I am very disappointed, and we met yesterday, looked at the film and put it behind us. Now we are moving on, getting ready for Houston."
On Houston's football team
"Obviously they have probably the best offense in the country. They are averaging over 600 yards a game. In conference play, they are averaging over 60 points a game. Offensively, they have as many or maybe more weapons than I have ever seen on a college football team at receiver, quarterback and running back. You name it, they have it. I think they are a much-improved defensive football team, which has kind of been their weak spot over the last couple of years. Their kicking game is very solid.
"It's a game where we have to play our best, and we are excited about that opportunity. Defensively, I think we have to be patient. We know that they are going to make some plays, but we have to try to not give up the big plays and try to get some turnovers. Offensively, we have to make every possession count. If we do that, then we will see what happens."
On what he said to his team during halftime at Marshall
"We called all the seniors up and asked them what they wanted to be remembered for. We told them that this is their football team, this is their last time around, and we asked them what they were going to do. We came out flat, and ultimately it's my responsibility, but players have to play the game. These seniors have worked awfully hard, so why not try to do some good things before you leave."
On not being bowl eligible this season
"Obviously that is a disappointment, but the last six or seven weeks haven't been very fun. It's always in the back of your mind, but you play one week at a time. We have four more weeks left, so hopefully we will win some ball games. Hopefully we will give these seniors a good feeling about leaving UAB."
On whether he has started looking toward next season at all
"Every week some things come up as to whether you should play a guy or hold a guy. You are always thinking ahead, but I think that right now we have to focus on the task at hand, which is Houston."
On how to gameplan against Houston
"There are a lot of different things you can do. We have some ideas. I don't think you want to blitz them because if you do, (their offense) happens quicker. I think we have to mix some things up coverage-wise and be patient. Hopefully we will have some turnovers to help us."
On the possibility of keying in on one receiver against Houston
"You can't do that because they are not a one-man show by any means. They have two of the best receivers in the country, and they have three or four other ones that are very good. They have three outstanding running backs, and obviously everyone knows about the quarterback. They've got weapons all over the field."
On whether or not Homecoming week will play a factor in the outcome
"I hope so. It's a big day for the alumni to come back and be apart of the day. Homecoming is always a fun time."
On Houston quarterback Case Keenum and the Heisman Trophy race
"I'm sure not being in a BCS conference is part of the issue, but if you look at his numbers, you would have to think that they would be pretty impressive. He is certainly a good player."
Sophomore DE Connor Boyett
On the message from the seniors at halftime of the Marshall game
"The seniors always want to do their best and try to encourage us. We can only control our part, so if I do my part, everyone else will too. That's kind of the message I got. It just ended up that we had a bad game, it happens sometimes."
On what happened in the loss at Marshall
"I think certain people did their parts and I think some people tried to make a play when they needed to just play their position. Sometimes that messes up the whole game plan."
On playing nationally ranked Houston
"Some people can look at it as a scary deal, but the team just sees it as a big opportunity. If we make something happen, it could make up for a lot this season."
On Homecoming being a distraction to the players this week
"It's always going to be there, thinking about homecoming and how it will be a good time. But we are focused on the game so it's not going to affect us."
Senior DT Adam Arthur
On the season to this point
"Today I woke up and I was thinking about the game, and I was just really thinking this is going to be the last four games of my entire football career and I just want to find a way to enjoy these last four weeks and enjoy my teammates and all the relationships I've built here. Things haven't always necessarily gone the way I would have hoped, but that doesn't mean I can't leave UAB with a good feeling and a sense of accomplishment in what our team has actually done."
On getting into the right frame of mind to face Houston's offense
"It's like Coach (defensive coordinator Tommy) West says, any time we have a chance to play defense it's exciting, and there is no more exciting of an opportunity than going up against the No. 14 team in the nation. It's exciting and it's a great opportunity. As a defense, we want that. We want a chance to play with the best and prove that we can hang with the best and beat the best."
On the seniors speaking at halftime during the Marshall game
"We all have to do our part, and if everyone does their part then we will work as a whole. That's especially hard to do when you are in a hole like we were on Saturday. You want to make plays and overcompensate for what may have happened earlier in the game, but as a defensive player you can't really do that. You just have to do your job. So basically I think the message was do your job and when that happens we will be alright."
