The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Preview Florida Game At Monday Media Luncheon
9/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2011
Press Conference Audio | Video Highlights | 
Photo Gallery
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Game week is finally here for the UAB football team. After watching the 2011 season start up over the weekend, the Blazers are more than ready to get in on the action.
Fifth-year head coach Neil Callaway met with the media Monday at the first of his weekly press conferences, previewing UAB's opening contest this weekend at Florida. Quarterback Bryan Ellis, tight ends Sam Accursio and Kennard Backman, and linebackers Lamanski Ware and Greg Irvin were also on hand.
"It's been a long camp and it was a little different last weekend when we were practicing and everyone else was playing," Callaway said. "We are looking forward to going to Gainesville and playing the Florida Gators."
While UAB had an open date this past weekend, Florida opened its season under new head coach Will Muschamp with a 41-3 home victory over Florida Atlantic. The Blazers will be playing at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the second time, having also opened the 2002 season there.
Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) with the game being televised by Fox Sports South. The contest will be carried live on the Blazer IMG Sports Network, airing locally on 107.7 WUHT-FM. David Crane and John Whitcomb will call the action with the pregame show beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT).
Here are some highlights from Monday's press conference:
UAB Head Coach Neil Callaway
Opening statement
"We are looking forward to going to Florida. They have a great atmosphere to play in down there and they have a good football team. They have a new coaching staff and people are anxious to see how they do. I'm anxious to watch our team compete against one of the best programs in the country and see how well we do.
"I'm happy with our guys' preparation overall. They have a great attitude and work extremely hard. We still have a lot of work to do, but at the same time I'm very pleased with the attitude and effort of our guys and the way they have worked and prepared. I know they are excited to play. It's been a long camp and it was a little different last weekend when we were practicing and everyone else was playing. We are looking forward to going to Gainesville and playing the Florida Gators."
On Florida's opening win over Florida Atlantic
"The two things that jumped out at me were their team speed and their defensive line. I think they have a very good defensive line, which can cause problems, and they have tremendous team speed."
On starting the season versus Florida
"We have to make sure we're ready to play. I do think the fact that they have a game under their belt is going to give them a little bit of an advantage, but at the same time they haven't seen us yet. The bottom line is that we have to go down there and play, and they do too."
On the Blazers' defense
"I really look forward to watching them play. I think we made a tremendous amount of improvement there. We have the best players since I've been here on that side of the ball. (Defensive coordinator) Tommy West has done a great job tying things together and getting them to play. In all the scrimmages they have played hard, tackled well and done a lot of good things. I've been very pleased with the defense's progress and I think we will be a much improved defensive football team."
On new defensive coordinator Tommy West
"We have three new coaches. They are all on the same page and working extremely well together. Tommy has done a great job. We have a good group of coaches."
On the progress of quarterback Bryan Ellis
"I think overall Bryan has been very productive. We've talked about the good things that he's done, but also about the things he needs to work on. He can't throw so many interceptions. I think he's worked hard this fall. Bryan is definitely the leader of this football team, particularly offensively. He works extremely hard and did a great job in the offseason as far as studying and getting the guys out there to do the voluntary workouts. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game goes a long way. We are glad to have Bryan as our quarterback."
On UAB's kickoff coverage
"It's been good so far in practice. It starts with having a good kicker. Ty Long will be responsible for that. It also starts with getting guys to cover the kicks. They have to do their part as far as covering. I think it's going to be better, but time will tell."
On team chemistry
"Our guys got a lot of work in over the summer. They did it on their own. It put them farther a head going into camp. The older guys teach the young guys what to do and how to do it. Some of the newer guys got a jumpstart on camp by working out with some of the older guys over the summer. This football team is pretty close and they do a good job of communicating with each other. "
On the challenge of playing the season opener at Florida
"I think that adds an extra dimension to it. Our guys have been to Knoxville, Tenn., and College Station, Texas, and other places that play in the big arenas. They know what we are getting into. Some of the freshmen don't know. We just have to make sure we are tied together on both sides of the football and in the kicking game. Whatever deficiencies we have, we need to make up for by playing together and being tied together. We are looking forward to it. It will be a great occasion."
Senior QB Bryan Ellis
On facing Florida in the first game
"We've been working for this day since the last game of last year, and we're all excited and ready to go. A lot of the older guys have not been to Florida, but we've been to some arenas that we can remember experiences from, and hopefully that will help us. We have to let the new guys know that it will be like nothing they have experienced, and it will be fun."
On what stands out when looking at Florida
"It's Florida, so they are fast on defense. Their defensive line is obviously their strength on defense. We will have to do some things to get them blocked, but I have total faith in those five guys in front of me. We will be alright."
Senior LB Lamanski Ware
On playing against Florida in the first game
"It's a big challenge, and we just have to go out and play our game. We have to do what we have to do to come out with a victory. I think they are going to have a really good atmosphere. I still remember my first game starting against South Carolina, and it was a tremendous experience. I have to go out, prepare well, and help my team win."
On how to prepare for an explosive team like Florida
"You have to work on your leverage points, try to keep everything contained, and don't just let them get out in the open field and run. You have to chase the ball, run as fast as you can, and prevent them from getting to their breaking point."
Junior LB Greg Irvin
On facing Florida in the first game
"It's a big atmosphere, huge crowd, and it will be nice to play in. It also will be nice if we handle our business. It's very important that we get off to a good start. The way we've been practicing since day one has been starting fast and coming out fighting."
On UAB's new defensive system
"With the new defense, there will be a lot of turnovers forced. Eleven guys will be running to the ball on every play. There will also be more team speed on every play, so that is something for the fans to look out for. (Defensive coordinator) Tommy West is one of the best coaches I have ever had the chance to be coached by. I love the defense he brought in, his attitude, and I love the way he coaches and teaches."
Junior TE Sam Accursio
On playing at Florida this Saturday
"Everyone says it's a great atmosphere to play in, but the way I look at it is it's just one of 12 opportunities we have to win. At the end of the day you just have to line up and play."
On UAB freshman tight end Kennard Backman
"Kennard is new. I've learned from (former UAB tight end) Jeff (Anderson) and I am passing that along to him, and at the end of the day he is helping me out as well."
Freshman TE Kennard Backman
On playing at Florida this Saturday
"I think it's going to be a good experience coming from a private high school to playing in a stadium with 90,000 people. It's going to be different, but I am ready. I just have to come out and know my assignments, play football and tune everyone else out."
On connecting with quarterback Bryan Ellis during the offseason
"I feel like Bryan and I have gotten on the same page. It happened this summer when we started playing seven on seven. Bryan is an excellent leader and he keeps everyone coming out to play hard and succeed as a team."
On his first collegiate football game
"Coming out to play Florida as my first collegiate game is going to be a lot to take in, but I am ready. Everything happens for a reason, and God has set me on this stage and I will take this experience and use it to my advantage."
