The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Coach Clark Previews Savannah State at Weekly Press Conference
8/27/2018 1:42:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In preparation for Thursday night's season opener against Savannah State, UAB football head coach Bill Clark, along with center Lee Dufour and cornerback Brontae Harris addressed the media on Monday morning at the Football Operations Center.
Head Coach Bill Clark:
Opening Statement:
"Good morning everyone and good to see you. We had our prostate cancer press conference last week with the Mike Slive Foundation, and now we are ready to kick it off, Thursday night, 7 p.m. at home against Savannah State.
"I want to start with the summer preparation. We got to start a few days ahead because we play on a Thursday night. We had a really good camp and finished that up first of last week. We have been in game mode prep since then. We came out of camp pretty healthy. We have a couple of guys who are bunged up just a hair, but we are in really good shape and had a tough, physical camp. It was the way we wanted to - safe - and the guys worked really hard. Having all of these veteran guys back has made a huge difference in our preparation as we get ready for Savannah State.
"Savannah State's Coach Erik Raeburn is going on his third year at Savannah State and has a really good record from his previous stops. We have last year's film to look at just like they have last year's film on us to look at, which is what you have to use to get ready for the first game. They have an NFL prospect on defense, Stefen Banks, which we have heard a lot about. They use two quarterbacks which are very athletic. We are expecting a tough contest but our guys are ready to start hitting on someone else. It was a good summer for us and we are ready to get started."
On opening up on Thursday:
"I think it is so good for our program to get to be one of the first games around. There will be a few other Thursday night games, but there is just something about playing a nighttime game and being one of the first games of the season. We aren't fighting any other in-state schools that have a game so I think it is good to be the only game in the state and let people see us. We are going to have a great crowd and plus it is two days earlier, so we are excited."
On representing the Mike Slive Foundation:
"We talked about what it means to represent Mike Slive and we talked about the grants that he provided to help in cancer research. Our basketball team was involved in that last year. When Tommy Brigham and the UAB Athletics Campaign Committee came together and said this is something we would like to do with Mike, who I had met. To know him and his daughter Anna has been terrific. We are really looking forward to that. September is prostate cancer awareness month and I think that is going to be big. We have already raised $25,000 from our foundation and the people who believe in that, and we are going to try to get the city of Birmingham to match that when we play Charlotte."
On quarterback A.J. Erdely:
"A.J. is indicative of our entire program. Going in last year, no one really knew anything about our guys. We knew what we had seen out of A.J. when we recruited him. First, just his toughness. To play through every game we had and lead us. He has had a really great offseason. We have some other really good quarterbacks behind him and I think they've had a really good battle and have all raised their level. We are expecting big things out of him and I know he has high expectations for himself. He is one of those guys who's not just an athletic quarterback, he's tough, it means a lot to him and he's a great leader. We are really excited about what he is going to do this year."
On the returning experience on the offensive line:
"Anytime you can bring back experience upfront - there are so many things those guys see. Defenses are so multiple now. We say those guys have been through the worst together. Now you see the combination of the tackle and guard working together, the guard and the center. They know each other and they are comfortable with each other. The thing we talk to them about now is - just having experience doesn't make you great. You use that experience and work hard every day. This group is very humble and good kids. They come to work every day and don't think they've arrived because they've had all these starts. We are really expecting big things out of that group."
On preparing for a two-quarterback system:
"I think that is a really good question. Start with - they are both good athletes. When we play good athletes, I always say, one is more of a thrower-runner while the other is more of a runner-thrower. Bell, #11, he is probably pass first, run second. Gibbons, #3, is probably a little of the opposite where he is run first, pass second. You might run the same play, say a power read where the back comes across and you are reading the end. One guy may find a way to hand it off more while the other guy may find a way to pull it and run more. I think you always want to be aware. They are going to run the same plays and not change the offense but they might find a way to work to the skills of one or the other. They both have game experience. That's one of the tough things you go through as a coach like they did last year, but it is a good problem to have this year because you have two guys that can play."
On Savannah State Erik Raeburn:
"You know, if you look at the amount of wins he had before he got to Savannah State, that tells you he knows what he's doing and he knows how to win. From a guy who coached in the FCS, when we were at South Alabama coming through the FCS and then at Jacksonville State, we know there are great players at the FCS level. What happens when they play multiple games as the season goes along sometimes depth becomes an issue. We can go back to the Appalachian State/Michigan game or just got through the years when another FCS team has found a way to win. We are looking at their skilled guys saying those skilled guys could play in our league. There are always reasons why guys get to where they are and there are so many skilled guys across the country. Early in the year they are probably not as concerned about injuries unless they had something coming out of camp. You've got a guy who has won before and he is starting to put his stamp on his team. We are expecting them to be good."
On keeping all the returning starters motivated throughout camp:
"I tell our coaches all the time to keep them motived and to keep them on task. That is why they call us coach. When you've spent so much time teaching kids what a practice looks like or what our expectations are, having guys who have been through that is really nice. When you look at our team, our middle group is just better. They have had a year in the way weight room, our recruiting from our freshmen class is better because now we can do that. Just our overall practices are better. I think they have done the things we've asked. They have been going at each other for a month and they are ready to play someone else. I'm sure our opponent feels the same way. We get judged on the games. We have not had a head incident or a heat injury all summer. The nutrition, taking care of our bodies, how we practice from a safety standpoint yet still physical. All of that has been something we have been able to do and I think that experience has helped out."
On the nerves of the first game:
"We were laughing as a staff because we were saying it's a Sunday, but it's actually a Wednesday. Today is Monday but it is actually Thursday. It kind of messes you up when you don't play on a Saturday. But it was amazing when we said it was game week. As a coach, probably as a player, you wake up early and you are probably nervous. If you don't wake up nervous you are probably in the wrong field. It's about putting a great product on the field, that's the thing we are working for. I say this all the time and I said this last year, we really feel like we are playing for more than ourselves. I've always said that. We are playing for our community and for the people who got us here. We want to put a great product on the field. But yes, the butterflies start to hit. Yes, I am always nervous. I don't know about scared, but I always nervous because I want to them to play well and give great effort."
Junior Center Lee DuFour
On the communication from the offensive line:
"It's always a positive to have four guys around me that I have gone through the battles with last year and that's vital for us. every single play I come to the offensive line and it could be a new defense every time we come to the line. Knowing that I've got guards next to me that I communicate well with and tackles that echo calls, the brotherhood we have together you can't really substitute that. It comes from experience next to each other so that's been a big positive as far as fall camp goes and a new offense coming in."
On the difference the new facility makes:
"When I first got here, I had to get dressed in the basement of Bartow Arena and walk a block and a half over to football practice every day and do that six days a week. Having our own facility, the quality of life has gone through the roof and having everything in one building and not having to walk across the street to the training room and come back for something else. Time management has been better and we are able to do so many more things without having to worry about walking across the street. The guys that have come in, we tell them stories about what life used to be like with the square track around the pot hole field and practice facility. You should be thankful for what you have today and you can't take anything for granted because yeah I was one of the guys in 2014 when we didn't have anything. They make jokes that I'm a super super senior because I've been here so long but it has been a great experience seeing everything come from the ground up, seeing everything built and being able to be in this state-of-the-art facility, you really can't replace that."
On A.J. Erdely's leadership and what he brings to the team:
"I don't think I have ever meet a quarterback that is as tough as A.J. Early in the season last year - we're talking about having a positive offensive line and communicate well together - but we we're a bunch of new guys that maybe had a spring together so there wasn't a big cohesion. I know he was dodging bullets a lot early last year but every hit he took he bounced right back up and said let's go. He always had faith in our offensive line and now that his protection has gotten a lot better he's been able to excel that much more. I don't think it took any of the players by surprise because we saw his work ethic, we saw that he came to work every day and he's the same guy on and off the field."
On if anything makes him nervous about this first game:
"You always get butterflies when you've been hitting the same guys every single day in practice. You can see what the opponent puts on film but you never really know what it's going to be like until you get on the field. I've had some of the best defensive linemen in the conference to practice against every single day so from that standpoint I think we're all prepared. But like I said, you could be watching them go four front and they come out hot on the first play so you don't really know what to expect. I think the Thursday night atmosphere is going to be really exciting for the guys to play in."
On having so many weapons on the offensive side of the ball:
"Being a part of Coach Vincent's offense in 2014, I know the firepower we have, I know the capability of this offense and to add this much talent to it, the sky is the limit as far as scoring points is concerned. The depth at running back, we've got some guys big enough they could be blocking for me on Saturday instead of me blocking for them. The offensive line takes comfort in knowing that any running back that's on the field can score points and is going to make a block if he needs too. We know the receivers are going to make big catches and A.J., Dallas or Tyler, whoever it is, is going to make the throw when we need too. As long as the offensive line does their job we are going to be in the end zone. It's definitely comforting knowing the game plan that we have, the offense that we have is powerful and can score some points with who we have."
Cornerback Brontae Harris
On opening up on Thursday night:
"It's going to be really exciting for the whole team. I know I've never played on a Thursday so getting to play early and play one of the earliest games in college football is going to be really exciting for all of us."
On the importance of the atmosphere at Legion Field:
"It's going to be really important for us but we have a great fan base, they jack us up. We went 6-0 at home last year and they know that. Every opportunity we get to play at home and get to play in front of those fans we need to take advantage of it."
On getting ready for two quarterbacks against Savannah State:
"We had to do a lot of research but we have a great staff to put the film and extra time in so we could watch film and prepare for each quarterback. They bring different things to the table like you said so we have to prepare for whoever gets the job."
On replacing Darious Williams:
"It's a big step for me, we were roommates on the road last year so I learned a lot from him and he's like my big brother, I talk to him daily. He walks me through everything and taught me everything I needed to know last year so whenever he did leave I was ready to take his spot."
Head Coach Bill Clark:
Opening Statement:
"Good morning everyone and good to see you. We had our prostate cancer press conference last week with the Mike Slive Foundation, and now we are ready to kick it off, Thursday night, 7 p.m. at home against Savannah State.
"I want to start with the summer preparation. We got to start a few days ahead because we play on a Thursday night. We had a really good camp and finished that up first of last week. We have been in game mode prep since then. We came out of camp pretty healthy. We have a couple of guys who are bunged up just a hair, but we are in really good shape and had a tough, physical camp. It was the way we wanted to - safe - and the guys worked really hard. Having all of these veteran guys back has made a huge difference in our preparation as we get ready for Savannah State.
"Savannah State's Coach Erik Raeburn is going on his third year at Savannah State and has a really good record from his previous stops. We have last year's film to look at just like they have last year's film on us to look at, which is what you have to use to get ready for the first game. They have an NFL prospect on defense, Stefen Banks, which we have heard a lot about. They use two quarterbacks which are very athletic. We are expecting a tough contest but our guys are ready to start hitting on someone else. It was a good summer for us and we are ready to get started."
On opening up on Thursday:
"I think it is so good for our program to get to be one of the first games around. There will be a few other Thursday night games, but there is just something about playing a nighttime game and being one of the first games of the season. We aren't fighting any other in-state schools that have a game so I think it is good to be the only game in the state and let people see us. We are going to have a great crowd and plus it is two days earlier, so we are excited."
On representing the Mike Slive Foundation:
"We talked about what it means to represent Mike Slive and we talked about the grants that he provided to help in cancer research. Our basketball team was involved in that last year. When Tommy Brigham and the UAB Athletics Campaign Committee came together and said this is something we would like to do with Mike, who I had met. To know him and his daughter Anna has been terrific. We are really looking forward to that. September is prostate cancer awareness month and I think that is going to be big. We have already raised $25,000 from our foundation and the people who believe in that, and we are going to try to get the city of Birmingham to match that when we play Charlotte."
On quarterback A.J. Erdely:
"A.J. is indicative of our entire program. Going in last year, no one really knew anything about our guys. We knew what we had seen out of A.J. when we recruited him. First, just his toughness. To play through every game we had and lead us. He has had a really great offseason. We have some other really good quarterbacks behind him and I think they've had a really good battle and have all raised their level. We are expecting big things out of him and I know he has high expectations for himself. He is one of those guys who's not just an athletic quarterback, he's tough, it means a lot to him and he's a great leader. We are really excited about what he is going to do this year."
On the returning experience on the offensive line:
"Anytime you can bring back experience upfront - there are so many things those guys see. Defenses are so multiple now. We say those guys have been through the worst together. Now you see the combination of the tackle and guard working together, the guard and the center. They know each other and they are comfortable with each other. The thing we talk to them about now is - just having experience doesn't make you great. You use that experience and work hard every day. This group is very humble and good kids. They come to work every day and don't think they've arrived because they've had all these starts. We are really expecting big things out of that group."
On preparing for a two-quarterback system:
"I think that is a really good question. Start with - they are both good athletes. When we play good athletes, I always say, one is more of a thrower-runner while the other is more of a runner-thrower. Bell, #11, he is probably pass first, run second. Gibbons, #3, is probably a little of the opposite where he is run first, pass second. You might run the same play, say a power read where the back comes across and you are reading the end. One guy may find a way to hand it off more while the other guy may find a way to pull it and run more. I think you always want to be aware. They are going to run the same plays and not change the offense but they might find a way to work to the skills of one or the other. They both have game experience. That's one of the tough things you go through as a coach like they did last year, but it is a good problem to have this year because you have two guys that can play."
On Savannah State Erik Raeburn:
"You know, if you look at the amount of wins he had before he got to Savannah State, that tells you he knows what he's doing and he knows how to win. From a guy who coached in the FCS, when we were at South Alabama coming through the FCS and then at Jacksonville State, we know there are great players at the FCS level. What happens when they play multiple games as the season goes along sometimes depth becomes an issue. We can go back to the Appalachian State/Michigan game or just got through the years when another FCS team has found a way to win. We are looking at their skilled guys saying those skilled guys could play in our league. There are always reasons why guys get to where they are and there are so many skilled guys across the country. Early in the year they are probably not as concerned about injuries unless they had something coming out of camp. You've got a guy who has won before and he is starting to put his stamp on his team. We are expecting them to be good."
On keeping all the returning starters motivated throughout camp:
"I tell our coaches all the time to keep them motived and to keep them on task. That is why they call us coach. When you've spent so much time teaching kids what a practice looks like or what our expectations are, having guys who have been through that is really nice. When you look at our team, our middle group is just better. They have had a year in the way weight room, our recruiting from our freshmen class is better because now we can do that. Just our overall practices are better. I think they have done the things we've asked. They have been going at each other for a month and they are ready to play someone else. I'm sure our opponent feels the same way. We get judged on the games. We have not had a head incident or a heat injury all summer. The nutrition, taking care of our bodies, how we practice from a safety standpoint yet still physical. All of that has been something we have been able to do and I think that experience has helped out."
On the nerves of the first game:
"We were laughing as a staff because we were saying it's a Sunday, but it's actually a Wednesday. Today is Monday but it is actually Thursday. It kind of messes you up when you don't play on a Saturday. But it was amazing when we said it was game week. As a coach, probably as a player, you wake up early and you are probably nervous. If you don't wake up nervous you are probably in the wrong field. It's about putting a great product on the field, that's the thing we are working for. I say this all the time and I said this last year, we really feel like we are playing for more than ourselves. I've always said that. We are playing for our community and for the people who got us here. We want to put a great product on the field. But yes, the butterflies start to hit. Yes, I am always nervous. I don't know about scared, but I always nervous because I want to them to play well and give great effort."
Junior Center Lee DuFour
On the communication from the offensive line:
"It's always a positive to have four guys around me that I have gone through the battles with last year and that's vital for us. every single play I come to the offensive line and it could be a new defense every time we come to the line. Knowing that I've got guards next to me that I communicate well with and tackles that echo calls, the brotherhood we have together you can't really substitute that. It comes from experience next to each other so that's been a big positive as far as fall camp goes and a new offense coming in."
On the difference the new facility makes:
"When I first got here, I had to get dressed in the basement of Bartow Arena and walk a block and a half over to football practice every day and do that six days a week. Having our own facility, the quality of life has gone through the roof and having everything in one building and not having to walk across the street to the training room and come back for something else. Time management has been better and we are able to do so many more things without having to worry about walking across the street. The guys that have come in, we tell them stories about what life used to be like with the square track around the pot hole field and practice facility. You should be thankful for what you have today and you can't take anything for granted because yeah I was one of the guys in 2014 when we didn't have anything. They make jokes that I'm a super super senior because I've been here so long but it has been a great experience seeing everything come from the ground up, seeing everything built and being able to be in this state-of-the-art facility, you really can't replace that."
On A.J. Erdely's leadership and what he brings to the team:
"I don't think I have ever meet a quarterback that is as tough as A.J. Early in the season last year - we're talking about having a positive offensive line and communicate well together - but we we're a bunch of new guys that maybe had a spring together so there wasn't a big cohesion. I know he was dodging bullets a lot early last year but every hit he took he bounced right back up and said let's go. He always had faith in our offensive line and now that his protection has gotten a lot better he's been able to excel that much more. I don't think it took any of the players by surprise because we saw his work ethic, we saw that he came to work every day and he's the same guy on and off the field."
On if anything makes him nervous about this first game:
"You always get butterflies when you've been hitting the same guys every single day in practice. You can see what the opponent puts on film but you never really know what it's going to be like until you get on the field. I've had some of the best defensive linemen in the conference to practice against every single day so from that standpoint I think we're all prepared. But like I said, you could be watching them go four front and they come out hot on the first play so you don't really know what to expect. I think the Thursday night atmosphere is going to be really exciting for the guys to play in."
On having so many weapons on the offensive side of the ball:
"Being a part of Coach Vincent's offense in 2014, I know the firepower we have, I know the capability of this offense and to add this much talent to it, the sky is the limit as far as scoring points is concerned. The depth at running back, we've got some guys big enough they could be blocking for me on Saturday instead of me blocking for them. The offensive line takes comfort in knowing that any running back that's on the field can score points and is going to make a block if he needs too. We know the receivers are going to make big catches and A.J., Dallas or Tyler, whoever it is, is going to make the throw when we need too. As long as the offensive line does their job we are going to be in the end zone. It's definitely comforting knowing the game plan that we have, the offense that we have is powerful and can score some points with who we have."
Cornerback Brontae Harris
On opening up on Thursday night:
"It's going to be really exciting for the whole team. I know I've never played on a Thursday so getting to play early and play one of the earliest games in college football is going to be really exciting for all of us."
On the importance of the atmosphere at Legion Field:
"It's going to be really important for us but we have a great fan base, they jack us up. We went 6-0 at home last year and they know that. Every opportunity we get to play at home and get to play in front of those fans we need to take advantage of it."
On getting ready for two quarterbacks against Savannah State:
"We had to do a lot of research but we have a great staff to put the film and extra time in so we could watch film and prepare for each quarterback. They bring different things to the table like you said so we have to prepare for whoever gets the job."
On replacing Darious Williams:
"It's a big step for me, we were roommates on the road last year so I learned a lot from him and he's like my big brother, I talk to him daily. He walks me through everything and taught me everything I needed to know last year so whenever he did leave I was ready to take his spot."
Players Mentioned
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