The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Looking To Slow Down WKU's High Powered Offense
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB football team takes to the road for its first Conference USA road game of the season Saturday at WKU in Bowling Green, Ky. Tuesday’s practice offered the Blazers a chance to get into full pads as they get ready for C-USA’s top passing offense.
“WKU is going to throw the ball around,” said head coach Bill Clark. “They have a system. They use all their people like we want to do. They will throw to the tight ends, swing it out to the running backs and throw deep balls and screens, yet still be physical in the run game. They use all their personnel very well.”
The Hilltoppers’ system has been effective through the first part of this season as they rank in first in C-USA with 461.5 passing yards per game and second in scoring offense with 44.0 points per game.
UAB’s defensive line will be a big factor in slowing down WKU’s offensive game plan this weekend.
“Against WKU, you have to go from a run to a pass, and you never know which it is going to be,” Clark said. “You need to play your run gaps and then be ready to get to the quarterback. It starts up front.”
Anchoring that defensive line for the Blazers is senior Diaheem Watkins. Watkins tied a career high with eight tackles against FIU last Saturday and has led UAB in tackles in three of the first four games this season.
“Diaheem is a guy I love because he comes out and does his job,” said Clark. “He takes coaching, is a leader, wants to get better, works hard in the weight room and truly is a guy any UAB fan should be proud of.”
The Blazers’ defense ranks top five in C-USA against the run and the pass. UAB will be looking to its defensive line to put pressure on WKU’s quarterback Brandon Doughty.
“Coach (David) Reeves has done a really good job with our defensive line,” Clark explained. “It is tough love in that position and is constant. When one guy messes up in practice, we get him out and have another ready to come in. We are demanding excellence.”
Kickoff for Saturday's game at Houchens Smith Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CT. Fans can listen to the game locally on the Blazer IMG Sports Network on WUHT-FM 107.7 with David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (analyst) and Sam Miller (sideline reporter) on the call.
For more on the UAB football team, follow the Blazers on Twitter @UAB_Football. For more on all Blazer teams, follow @UABAthletics.
