The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Welcomes UTEP for Annual Salute to Service Game
11/11/2019 4:58:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM - Returning to Legion Field for the first time in a month, the UAB football team hosts UTEP on Saturday, Nov. 16. Kick set for 12 p.m. CST on ESPN3.
The Blazers (6-3, 3-2 C-USA) look to extend the nation's fourth longest active home winning streak to 17 straight. UAB only trails Clemson (21), UCF (20) and Ohio State (19) for the nation's longest home winning streak.
UAB will also honor service men and women for its annual Salute to Service game on Saturday. Fans can participate by donating a $10 ticket to the Tickets for Trips initiative which will then be distributed to a military member through VetTix. To donate, click here and use the promo code: TFT
For more information on Saturday's Salute to Service game, click here.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
HEAD COACH BILL CLARK:
Opening Statement:
"This is not a fun way to start your day. We did good, bad and ugly this morning with our players to get this game behind us and put it to rest. The challenge for us is we have to get better. I've got to put us in a position to get better and do the things we can do. Obviously it is good to get back home. It was a touch road trip with games at Tennessee and Southern Miss. UTEP is similar to Rice being better than their record indicates. They have a really good coaching staff and have been in these games. They led Charlotte the entire game and then lose it right at the end. They are not playing bad at all. But it is good to get back home. We have to get better and find the things we can do well and get this thing turned around."
On how to bounce back:
"I think you find the things you can do. Obviously, we've turned the ball over two games in a row. I t starts with that. We have to protect the ball offensively. That's one we have to set ourselves up for success. Turnovers have really hurt us. We've played two good football teams two weeks in a row. I knew that was coming, so we have to look at every phase. I think special teams were solid, but we have to do better. We had a kickoff that we mishandled that we work on all the time. Every little detail is important. Defensively, we played solid again, but we didn't play great. I thought we played well. They got put in a bunch of tough situations. Offensively, we have to get back to doing the things we can do and things that Dylan (Hopkins) can do. We're going to try to set him up for success as much as we can."
On whether Hopkins was overwhelmed:
"I think so. You can't simulate that environment or that game. You're playing against a really good defense who's probably as exotic as we've seen. I was showing things today when you're sitting and third and eight, nine or 10 – I don't care who you are. When they drop eight guys off that are twisting and moving, it's going to be hard. He made some throws he just shouldn't have made, but at the same time, we weren't running the ball. We weren't doing other things, so we've got to do a better job with those things for him. I think just the environment is tough on anybody that's not played."
On first down struggles:
"I've said this, and I'll say it again. We've played two really good defenses, so a little bit of respect to the offense, but you can't put yourself behind the chains. What are those things that will allow us to do that? That's what we have to be working on this week. Without divulging all of our secrets, that's going to be a huge point of emphasis. We have to be able to run the ball. We have to. That's part of it."
On the magnitude of the upcoming game:
"It's big. It's the next game. For example, our players were asking yesterday to have the good, bad and ugly early this morning. That, to me, tells me a lot about those guys. One, they believe in the process. I wasn't going to do it. We were going to move on. They understand what they have to get done as a team. We have to help him. I think for him, he's going to be better. The environment is going to be better. It's his second game. We're going to try to make sure we do as much of the things as he can do and protect him as we can. You can only protect a guy so much. We're going to do everything we can to help him."
On the offensive line having to shuffle:
"Here we go again early on losing (Greg) Fecanin, so there's another shuffle. Without making excuses, you get guys back, but all of a sudden now you've changed rotation. Now here comes Lee (Dufour), then (Andrew) Smith (Jr.) who hasn't worked a lot at guard all week. I do think we have better depth than we've had, so now it's just going to be who performs the best this week."
On playing at home:
"I think any time we're less than four hours away, we're end up on a bus. You're talking about a three and a half hour bus ride, then the postgame bus ride, which affects you the next week. We can't let that happen this week. It's just better. The hotel we stay in that we stay in for all the home games, the home crowd and the fact we've had success here – I think you put all those things together. We want to be a good road team, but there is a little difference in being home. We're glad to be home."
On whether there's a sense of urgency:
"I think so. I think we had it. I think you're seeing somebody who - let's just be honest. It was the Super Bowl. Besides the fact it was a conference game and all that - I can tell guys that, but when you beat somebody three times in a row and win the West against them, that's what a Super Bowl looks like. You see it after the game. That's what's tough on a bunch of young guys. That's the urgency you're going to see from a bunch of other teams, and we have to develop that same urgency. Granted, this is not our first rodeo. We've played in a bunch of games, so it's unfortunate that our starting quarterback went down, but we have to deal with it and be better for it. Like I said, I think Dylan will be better. I think we'll all be better. As we were watching that with the offensive line this morning, they said they have to get better. There's urgency for everybody in this building."
On Veteran's Day:
"I'm old school with all that. I always say Mom, apple pie and the flag. All of our guys – I'm glad you mentioned that. We gave out some tickets to the firemen and police last week, so all those people that serve us besides obviously the veterans. What they've done for our country and those that are actively serving, we just appreciate them so much. This is why we're getting to do the things that we do. We're thankful for the people that stand on that line for us every day. Police, firemen and all those first responders – obviously this is Veteran's Day, so thank you to all of our veterans. It's a big deal on Saturday, and we appreciate them."
Kristopher Moll, LB, Jr.
On reviewing last game's film:
"It had a lot in it. It had a lot of good, a lot of bad and a lot of ugly obviously. It really just had a lot of things to learn from and take in. We can't look down on it, but we have to take it in and progress throughout the week."
On what stuck out:
"We had a lot of missed assignments and weren't executing all the way. We just have to figure out how we can execute everything on offense, defense and special teams so we can win."
On playing at home:
"It feels great because we have a great crowd every game. We have a great streak going on right now. A team is coming in a little nervous because of our streak. They know what we do at home, so it feels great to be home. We can't let the home crowd down."
On Noah Wilder's performance this season:
"It feels great to have Noah next to me. I know he's going to go 100 percent every play next to me. I don't have to worry about him or making up for anything. It's great knowing that he's going as hard. He tells me every play he has my back, so it's great playing next to him."
On getting back to the field:
"I told the whole team already that we have to really make up for these last two games. They all say they want to go out there and show what a lot of teams have been missing. We have to make a statement for this game. Everybody is excited for this week of practice."
Sydney Wells, OL, Jr.
On playing last weekend in Mississippi:
"It's unexplainable, really. It's a humbling experience just to be able to come back. We passed by my JUCO, Mississippi Gulf Coast. Just seeing all of the memories and knowing that I put in the hard work in JUCO to get where I am, it was a special feeling."
On watching film from the last game:
"I personally had to put the mirror up to my face and see what I can do better to help this team in order to stay positive. Being flat serious, we just didn't execute the way we needed to execute. We just have to stay positive. I believe in this offense, and I know what we're capable of doing."
On the game's importance to Dylan:
"I personally believe in Dylan. I have seen what Dylan can do. I believe that he's going to have a great game. I know what Dylan has done in practice, so I'm excited for him."
On getting back on the field:
"I'm anxious for it. I know this team is as well. We all saw day one mistakes that should easily be corrected. I know we're going to get it fixed."
On the offensive line's growth:
"These guys come to work every single day and put their bodies on the line. They just come to work. They're unselfish and willing to do whatever helps the team. These guys are amazing. That's all I can really say. I'm just grateful for them."
The Blazers (6-3, 3-2 C-USA) look to extend the nation's fourth longest active home winning streak to 17 straight. UAB only trails Clemson (21), UCF (20) and Ohio State (19) for the nation's longest home winning streak.
UAB will also honor service men and women for its annual Salute to Service game on Saturday. Fans can participate by donating a $10 ticket to the Tickets for Trips initiative which will then be distributed to a military member through VetTix. To donate, click here and use the promo code: TFT
For more information on Saturday's Salute to Service game, click here.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
- Despite a tough week at Southern Miss, the UAB defense still boasts lofty national ranks. The Blazers are 6th nationally in total defense (263.0), while also ranking 2nd in fumble recoveries (13), 4th in third down defense (.277) and 6th in passing yards allowed (163.0), sacks per game (3.56) and tackles for loss (8.4)
- Austin Watkins Jr. needs 237 more yards to become the third player in program history to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Watkins Jr. currently has 763 yards, which is the 10th most in a single season at UAB. The only other players who have gone over 1,000 receiving yards are Derrick Ingram (1,457 yards in 1994, 1,115 yards in 1993) and Roddy White (1,452 yards in 2004).
- The Blazers are still in the hunt for the Conference USA title, but need to win their final three games and receive help for other teams. Louisiana Tech is leading the C-USA West Division at 8-1 overall and 5-0 in league play. The Blazers host the Bulldogs in two weeks at Legion Field.
HEAD COACH BILL CLARK:
Opening Statement:
"This is not a fun way to start your day. We did good, bad and ugly this morning with our players to get this game behind us and put it to rest. The challenge for us is we have to get better. I've got to put us in a position to get better and do the things we can do. Obviously it is good to get back home. It was a touch road trip with games at Tennessee and Southern Miss. UTEP is similar to Rice being better than their record indicates. They have a really good coaching staff and have been in these games. They led Charlotte the entire game and then lose it right at the end. They are not playing bad at all. But it is good to get back home. We have to get better and find the things we can do well and get this thing turned around."
On how to bounce back:
"I think you find the things you can do. Obviously, we've turned the ball over two games in a row. I t starts with that. We have to protect the ball offensively. That's one we have to set ourselves up for success. Turnovers have really hurt us. We've played two good football teams two weeks in a row. I knew that was coming, so we have to look at every phase. I think special teams were solid, but we have to do better. We had a kickoff that we mishandled that we work on all the time. Every little detail is important. Defensively, we played solid again, but we didn't play great. I thought we played well. They got put in a bunch of tough situations. Offensively, we have to get back to doing the things we can do and things that Dylan (Hopkins) can do. We're going to try to set him up for success as much as we can."
On whether Hopkins was overwhelmed:
"I think so. You can't simulate that environment or that game. You're playing against a really good defense who's probably as exotic as we've seen. I was showing things today when you're sitting and third and eight, nine or 10 – I don't care who you are. When they drop eight guys off that are twisting and moving, it's going to be hard. He made some throws he just shouldn't have made, but at the same time, we weren't running the ball. We weren't doing other things, so we've got to do a better job with those things for him. I think just the environment is tough on anybody that's not played."
On first down struggles:
"I've said this, and I'll say it again. We've played two really good defenses, so a little bit of respect to the offense, but you can't put yourself behind the chains. What are those things that will allow us to do that? That's what we have to be working on this week. Without divulging all of our secrets, that's going to be a huge point of emphasis. We have to be able to run the ball. We have to. That's part of it."
On the magnitude of the upcoming game:
"It's big. It's the next game. For example, our players were asking yesterday to have the good, bad and ugly early this morning. That, to me, tells me a lot about those guys. One, they believe in the process. I wasn't going to do it. We were going to move on. They understand what they have to get done as a team. We have to help him. I think for him, he's going to be better. The environment is going to be better. It's his second game. We're going to try to make sure we do as much of the things as he can do and protect him as we can. You can only protect a guy so much. We're going to do everything we can to help him."
On the offensive line having to shuffle:
"Here we go again early on losing (Greg) Fecanin, so there's another shuffle. Without making excuses, you get guys back, but all of a sudden now you've changed rotation. Now here comes Lee (Dufour), then (Andrew) Smith (Jr.) who hasn't worked a lot at guard all week. I do think we have better depth than we've had, so now it's just going to be who performs the best this week."
On playing at home:
"I think any time we're less than four hours away, we're end up on a bus. You're talking about a three and a half hour bus ride, then the postgame bus ride, which affects you the next week. We can't let that happen this week. It's just better. The hotel we stay in that we stay in for all the home games, the home crowd and the fact we've had success here – I think you put all those things together. We want to be a good road team, but there is a little difference in being home. We're glad to be home."
On whether there's a sense of urgency:
"I think so. I think we had it. I think you're seeing somebody who - let's just be honest. It was the Super Bowl. Besides the fact it was a conference game and all that - I can tell guys that, but when you beat somebody three times in a row and win the West against them, that's what a Super Bowl looks like. You see it after the game. That's what's tough on a bunch of young guys. That's the urgency you're going to see from a bunch of other teams, and we have to develop that same urgency. Granted, this is not our first rodeo. We've played in a bunch of games, so it's unfortunate that our starting quarterback went down, but we have to deal with it and be better for it. Like I said, I think Dylan will be better. I think we'll all be better. As we were watching that with the offensive line this morning, they said they have to get better. There's urgency for everybody in this building."
On Veteran's Day:
"I'm old school with all that. I always say Mom, apple pie and the flag. All of our guys – I'm glad you mentioned that. We gave out some tickets to the firemen and police last week, so all those people that serve us besides obviously the veterans. What they've done for our country and those that are actively serving, we just appreciate them so much. This is why we're getting to do the things that we do. We're thankful for the people that stand on that line for us every day. Police, firemen and all those first responders – obviously this is Veteran's Day, so thank you to all of our veterans. It's a big deal on Saturday, and we appreciate them."
Kristopher Moll, LB, Jr.
On reviewing last game's film:
"It had a lot in it. It had a lot of good, a lot of bad and a lot of ugly obviously. It really just had a lot of things to learn from and take in. We can't look down on it, but we have to take it in and progress throughout the week."
On what stuck out:
"We had a lot of missed assignments and weren't executing all the way. We just have to figure out how we can execute everything on offense, defense and special teams so we can win."
On playing at home:
"It feels great because we have a great crowd every game. We have a great streak going on right now. A team is coming in a little nervous because of our streak. They know what we do at home, so it feels great to be home. We can't let the home crowd down."
On Noah Wilder's performance this season:
"It feels great to have Noah next to me. I know he's going to go 100 percent every play next to me. I don't have to worry about him or making up for anything. It's great knowing that he's going as hard. He tells me every play he has my back, so it's great playing next to him."
On getting back to the field:
"I told the whole team already that we have to really make up for these last two games. They all say they want to go out there and show what a lot of teams have been missing. We have to make a statement for this game. Everybody is excited for this week of practice."
Sydney Wells, OL, Jr.
On playing last weekend in Mississippi:
"It's unexplainable, really. It's a humbling experience just to be able to come back. We passed by my JUCO, Mississippi Gulf Coast. Just seeing all of the memories and knowing that I put in the hard work in JUCO to get where I am, it was a special feeling."
On watching film from the last game:
"I personally had to put the mirror up to my face and see what I can do better to help this team in order to stay positive. Being flat serious, we just didn't execute the way we needed to execute. We just have to stay positive. I believe in this offense, and I know what we're capable of doing."
On the game's importance to Dylan:
"I personally believe in Dylan. I have seen what Dylan can do. I believe that he's going to have a great game. I know what Dylan has done in practice, so I'm excited for him."
On getting back on the field:
"I'm anxious for it. I know this team is as well. We all saw day one mistakes that should easily be corrected. I know we're going to get it fixed."
On the offensive line's growth:
"These guys come to work every single day and put their bodies on the line. They just come to work. They're unselfish and willing to do whatever helps the team. These guys are amazing. That's all I can really say. I'm just grateful for them."
Players Mentioned
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