The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Completes Day Four of Fall Camp
8/4/2018 1:49:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team continued its march towards the 2018 season opener on Aug. 30 versus Savannah State as the Blazers completed their fourth practice of fall camp on Saturday morning at the Football Operations Center.
TAKEAWAYS:
Head Coach Bill Clark:
On what he saw from day four:
"I think the defense responded today after the offense got the better of them yesterday especially in the run game but the defense responded. It will now be time for the offense to respond. It was a good day and a good way to end the week as tomorrow is an off day for us. We will have some meetings and recovery. We had our former players here today so that was exciting. They got to hang out with our players and they got to be the first to see what our team looks like for this year.
On the importance of bringing the former players back:
"It is everything to me. We said that when we got here in '14. They are so proud of the new facilities and what happened with the return. I have had so many of them come by this summer, so we are appreciative of them and our players tell them how appreciative they are too."
On the difference in offense from last year to this year:
"There will be a lot of the same things even going back to '14. I think for us, the tempo and energy is what we were known for in '14. We have a lot of veterans back so to find a way to use those guys along with the new ones is important. It will be the same thing but maybe with a little more tempo. If they are going to crowd us we have to be able to go vertically. If they back off, we want to be able to run the ball."
On the competition at every position:
"Anytime in football you are one play away. And in Alabama, the heat can wear on you, so depth makes each play better. It prevents you from injury and is able to keep you fresher. We are bigger, faster and stronger from top to bottom and as I have said before, the younger guys coming in here has really made a difference."
On Jack Linebacker Stacy Keely:
"We went into the season thinking he could be one of our best players in '17 and he tweaked his back in the first game and dealt with that all year, but with him being well and with Coach Gentry lighting a fire under him will be good. Going back to depth, we have a bunch of Jacks that are going to push him and make him better, but he could have a big year."
On the increased role of defensive back Dy'jonn Turner:
"Go back to his time at Florence, we got a lot of high praise on Pappi as we call him. When their coach said 'Hey we got a guy going to a Power 5 school, but Dy'jonn may be better,' that is when we knew he had a chance to be really good. Last year we trated him like more than a freshman and he is really ready to contribute now. We worked him at corner last year but now he is in that Star/Nickle which is a guy that has to be able to cover, play the run game and be physical. He is a smart player. You've got a guy who can also play corner and be physical.
On quarterback Dallas Davis:
We talked about him in the press conference. We already had two great guys here, but Dallas is a senior. He's got leadership and always has a smile on his face. He makes his room better. I think he's elevated all of our quarterbacks from an energy standpoint and he's just another experienced quarterback.
Wide Receiver Collin Lisa:
On today's practice:
"We didn't have as sharp of a day as we did yesterday, but that is just how camp goes sometimes. It's an opportunity to learn and get better."
On the offense under Coach Vincent:
"There is a big difference. You can see it on the 1-on-1 drills and 7-vs-7 drills. We are completing more shots down the field. To be an explosive offense you have to make plays down the field and that is what we are trying to do."
On his own progress:
"As a receiver, you want to catch the ball. We know we have an offensive coordinator that is going to take those shots so it makes it exciting to practice."
On the making the offense dynamic:
After last year, we know we are going to have teams crowd the box so we have to take advantage of that. We want to take opportunities early in the season to make it more balanced with the run and the pass."
TAKEAWAYS:
- Saturday's practice was the hottest day since camp began as temperatures reached the high 80s by late morning. With scheduled water breaks throughout practice, the Blazers did a good job of staying fueled and avoiding cramps.
- Kicker Nick Vogel was very impressive today as he connected on all of his field goal attempts during the special team's unit, and showed a powerful display of leg strength. His longest of 54-yards during the period had plenty of room to spare and Vogel looks to continue his success from last year as he led the team in points (79).
- Towards the end of practice, Ole Miss transfer Jarrion Street had an electrifying touchdown run which included meeting a defensive back at the goal line and running straight through him for the touchdown. Street has shown a unique display of speed and power during camp.
- The defense has been making plays all over the field, which includes INTs, forced fumbles and pass breakups. They have shown signs of continuing to be a top 50 defense like the 2017 team.
Head Coach Bill Clark:
On what he saw from day four:
"I think the defense responded today after the offense got the better of them yesterday especially in the run game but the defense responded. It will now be time for the offense to respond. It was a good day and a good way to end the week as tomorrow is an off day for us. We will have some meetings and recovery. We had our former players here today so that was exciting. They got to hang out with our players and they got to be the first to see what our team looks like for this year.
On the importance of bringing the former players back:
"It is everything to me. We said that when we got here in '14. They are so proud of the new facilities and what happened with the return. I have had so many of them come by this summer, so we are appreciative of them and our players tell them how appreciative they are too."
On the difference in offense from last year to this year:
"There will be a lot of the same things even going back to '14. I think for us, the tempo and energy is what we were known for in '14. We have a lot of veterans back so to find a way to use those guys along with the new ones is important. It will be the same thing but maybe with a little more tempo. If they are going to crowd us we have to be able to go vertically. If they back off, we want to be able to run the ball."
On the competition at every position:
"Anytime in football you are one play away. And in Alabama, the heat can wear on you, so depth makes each play better. It prevents you from injury and is able to keep you fresher. We are bigger, faster and stronger from top to bottom and as I have said before, the younger guys coming in here has really made a difference."
On Jack Linebacker Stacy Keely:
"We went into the season thinking he could be one of our best players in '17 and he tweaked his back in the first game and dealt with that all year, but with him being well and with Coach Gentry lighting a fire under him will be good. Going back to depth, we have a bunch of Jacks that are going to push him and make him better, but he could have a big year."
On the increased role of defensive back Dy'jonn Turner:
"Go back to his time at Florence, we got a lot of high praise on Pappi as we call him. When their coach said 'Hey we got a guy going to a Power 5 school, but Dy'jonn may be better,' that is when we knew he had a chance to be really good. Last year we trated him like more than a freshman and he is really ready to contribute now. We worked him at corner last year but now he is in that Star/Nickle which is a guy that has to be able to cover, play the run game and be physical. He is a smart player. You've got a guy who can also play corner and be physical.
On quarterback Dallas Davis:
We talked about him in the press conference. We already had two great guys here, but Dallas is a senior. He's got leadership and always has a smile on his face. He makes his room better. I think he's elevated all of our quarterbacks from an energy standpoint and he's just another experienced quarterback.
Wide Receiver Collin Lisa:
On today's practice:
"We didn't have as sharp of a day as we did yesterday, but that is just how camp goes sometimes. It's an opportunity to learn and get better."
On the offense under Coach Vincent:
"There is a big difference. You can see it on the 1-on-1 drills and 7-vs-7 drills. We are completing more shots down the field. To be an explosive offense you have to make plays down the field and that is what we are trying to do."
On his own progress:
"As a receiver, you want to catch the ball. We know we have an offensive coordinator that is going to take those shots so it makes it exciting to practice."
On the making the offense dynamic:
After last year, we know we are going to have teams crowd the box so we have to take advantage of that. We want to take opportunities early in the season to make it more balanced with the run and the pass."
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
PK
/ FootballUAB Baseball | The Quick Cut: at Alabama
Thursday, April 23
UAB Beach Volleyball | The Quick Cut: Blazer Beach Bash
Saturday, April 18
UAB Softball | The Quick Cut: Memphis Series
Thursday, April 09
UAB vs ECU Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
