The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Hosts Rice Looking to Gain Bowl Eligibility
10/30/2017 4:04:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Looking to remain unbeaten at home, the UAB football team hosts Rice on Saturday afternoon in search of bowl eligibility. Kick is set for 2 p.m.
NOTES:
Head Coach Bill Clark
Opening Statement:
"It goes without saying what a big time win Saturday was for our program. Anytime we can go on the road, conference opponent that was playing really well, and get our first road win. It was a conference win coming off of a heartbreaking loss and to see the tenacity, fight and energy that the guys showed. The fans we terrific and having our band there and all the above made for a great night. Like anything, we won't be able to dwell on it. Like last week, we have to move past it as we get ready to try to get bowl eligible. I really could not say this any stronger that I feel like Rice is a really good opponent. I told our players this morning that everybody is going to talk about records and that is the worst thing that could happen to us. They played Louisiana Tech down to the wire and it was 28 all going into the final seconds, UTSA is the same thing – there is not a big separation from anyone in our conference. Rice is well coached, they have good players that are still fighting and feel like they can win every game. We are going to have our hands full just competing and we are going to have to do everything we need to do. It is great being back home with this being our Salute to Service game and we look for a big crowd. Once again, it's great to be back home and we are looking for a big week."
On if being one win away from bowl eligibility creeps into your mind:
"Yeah, I don't think there is any doubt and I don't mind saying it. It is what we work for and to be where we are is just a tribute to the coaches and the players and all of the hard work that been put in. We are here now and our expectations are super high but there is nothing given about it. I was talking to the guys about social media and I think there is a great message that we put out on our social media, whether we're talking about Children's Harbor or just things that we believe in. Yesterday versus last week is why I say I don't know how a football coach could ever get arrogant because you are a genius when you win and an idiot when you lose. Our fans are great but it was the fact that we lost to a team that we were supposed to be beat but then this week we win and we are great. We have to stay out of that and stay in the middle and just do our job. There is no reason to not talk about a bowl game because that is a huge deal really just in college football. For our guys to be in this position and have this opportunity is a big deal and they need to know about it."
On the frustration that A.J. Erdely gives defenses with his ability to extend plays:
"I went back to my high school days when I was talking to some of the top defensive minds in the country and I asked them what they did when the quarterback could throw it and really run it and I didn't know if they had seen a lot of that. That was not the case in high school because typically the most athletic guy on the team played quarterback. That has moved from the high school up. It is how we want to build our quarterback always. We want a guy that can stay alive. A.J. is tough and makes plays. He can be a running back if he needs to be, some of the runs and plays he made in that game were tremendous. We put a lot on him, and we do all of our quarterbacks whether you are talking about him or Tyler (Johnston) or Kylen (Binn), we want a guy that can run and be an athlete. From a defensive side, it's the one quotient that you can't factor in. We try to defend it with the way we rush but it's the X factor."
When your own team sees their quarterback that is willing to run through guys what it does for them:
"It is huge. When your leader does it and is not too good to do it, it says everything about what we want to be. He is the embodiment of what we want our quarterbacks to play like. Coach (Les) Koenning does a great job of talking about toughness and you have to sit in the pocket and A.J. shows that for us."
On being one win from a bowl game:
"Anything that creates a better practice is good. What is the umph that makes you have a better Tuesday or Wednesday or gets you through a drill because we work them hard. We think that you play like you practice so if you have great practices then you should play well, but what creates a great practice is what I'm looking for. What motivates them? What motivates me? Having the bowl eligibility in their minds to carry out there is a big deal and I've told them to be sitting where we are is big with the chance to do something really special."
On if Spencer Brown can surprise you anymore than he already has:
"I want to say not really but then you see some of the runs he makes. We've gotten to the place where we expect it out of him. One of the big things that happened to him the week before was he pulled a muscle in his shoulder and we took care of him all week and he was a little beat up and bruised, and I give Charlotte credit, but he didn't play up to his standards so this week he was motivated. We were laughing after the game that he played good because he was motivated and had a chip on his shoulder. The great thing about him is that he's a humble kid, he thanks his linemen, and we are starting to expect big things out of this guy."
NOTES:
- The Blazers are 4-0 at home this season and won their first road game of the year with a 30-12 victory at Southern Miss last Saturday. It was UAB's first road win since Nov. 29, 2014 when the Blazers once again defeated Southern Miss.
- A win over Rice would make the Blazers bowl eligible for just the fifth time in program history. UAB has only played in one bowl (2004 Hawaii Bowl), but was also bowl eligible in 2000 (7-4), 2001 (6-5) and 2014 (6-6).
- Running back Spencer Brown ranks second nationally among freshmen and 14th overall with 909 rushing yards. He set the UAB single season freshman rushing record which was previously held by Jordan Howard, and he currently ranks seventh on the overall single season rushing list.
- This Saturday is UAB's Salute to Service game in which the Blazers will be honoring service men and women and first responders. There have already been over 850 tickets donated to military members, while a special $10 ticket is available for first responders. For military members to redeem a donated ticket, please contact Michael Emert at memert@uab.edu or call 205-934-3136.
Head Coach Bill Clark
Opening Statement:
"It goes without saying what a big time win Saturday was for our program. Anytime we can go on the road, conference opponent that was playing really well, and get our first road win. It was a conference win coming off of a heartbreaking loss and to see the tenacity, fight and energy that the guys showed. The fans we terrific and having our band there and all the above made for a great night. Like anything, we won't be able to dwell on it. Like last week, we have to move past it as we get ready to try to get bowl eligible. I really could not say this any stronger that I feel like Rice is a really good opponent. I told our players this morning that everybody is going to talk about records and that is the worst thing that could happen to us. They played Louisiana Tech down to the wire and it was 28 all going into the final seconds, UTSA is the same thing – there is not a big separation from anyone in our conference. Rice is well coached, they have good players that are still fighting and feel like they can win every game. We are going to have our hands full just competing and we are going to have to do everything we need to do. It is great being back home with this being our Salute to Service game and we look for a big crowd. Once again, it's great to be back home and we are looking for a big week."
On if being one win away from bowl eligibility creeps into your mind:
"Yeah, I don't think there is any doubt and I don't mind saying it. It is what we work for and to be where we are is just a tribute to the coaches and the players and all of the hard work that been put in. We are here now and our expectations are super high but there is nothing given about it. I was talking to the guys about social media and I think there is a great message that we put out on our social media, whether we're talking about Children's Harbor or just things that we believe in. Yesterday versus last week is why I say I don't know how a football coach could ever get arrogant because you are a genius when you win and an idiot when you lose. Our fans are great but it was the fact that we lost to a team that we were supposed to be beat but then this week we win and we are great. We have to stay out of that and stay in the middle and just do our job. There is no reason to not talk about a bowl game because that is a huge deal really just in college football. For our guys to be in this position and have this opportunity is a big deal and they need to know about it."
On the frustration that A.J. Erdely gives defenses with his ability to extend plays:
"I went back to my high school days when I was talking to some of the top defensive minds in the country and I asked them what they did when the quarterback could throw it and really run it and I didn't know if they had seen a lot of that. That was not the case in high school because typically the most athletic guy on the team played quarterback. That has moved from the high school up. It is how we want to build our quarterback always. We want a guy that can stay alive. A.J. is tough and makes plays. He can be a running back if he needs to be, some of the runs and plays he made in that game were tremendous. We put a lot on him, and we do all of our quarterbacks whether you are talking about him or Tyler (Johnston) or Kylen (Binn), we want a guy that can run and be an athlete. From a defensive side, it's the one quotient that you can't factor in. We try to defend it with the way we rush but it's the X factor."
When your own team sees their quarterback that is willing to run through guys what it does for them:
"It is huge. When your leader does it and is not too good to do it, it says everything about what we want to be. He is the embodiment of what we want our quarterbacks to play like. Coach (Les) Koenning does a great job of talking about toughness and you have to sit in the pocket and A.J. shows that for us."
On being one win from a bowl game:
"Anything that creates a better practice is good. What is the umph that makes you have a better Tuesday or Wednesday or gets you through a drill because we work them hard. We think that you play like you practice so if you have great practices then you should play well, but what creates a great practice is what I'm looking for. What motivates them? What motivates me? Having the bowl eligibility in their minds to carry out there is a big deal and I've told them to be sitting where we are is big with the chance to do something really special."
On if Spencer Brown can surprise you anymore than he already has:
"I want to say not really but then you see some of the runs he makes. We've gotten to the place where we expect it out of him. One of the big things that happened to him the week before was he pulled a muscle in his shoulder and we took care of him all week and he was a little beat up and bruised, and I give Charlotte credit, but he didn't play up to his standards so this week he was motivated. We were laughing after the game that he played good because he was motivated and had a chip on his shoulder. The great thing about him is that he's a humble kid, he thanks his linemen, and we are starting to expect big things out of this guy."
Players Mentioned
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