The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Returns to the Field for Spring Practice No. 1
3/16/2021 4:57:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Returning to the field for the first time since winning the 2020 Conference USA Championship, the UAB football team held its first of 15 spring practices on Tuesday morning at the Football Operations Center.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
HEAD COACH BILL CLARK:
On opening spring practice . . .
"Today, I saw everybody getting better and still protecting each other. Like every first day, we have a lot of things to get better at and a lot of things to correct. Our attitudes were great and they practiced well together."
On how players have prepared . . .
"The thing I have been really proud of is our offseason. With recruiting being the way it is, it has allowed us to move spring later. I want to brag on all of them with how they have trained."
On the ending to last season . . .
"I think we were disappointed (to not have the bowl game), but our last memory was a championship memory. It is great memories of a championship. That is all we are thinking about. That is now behind us. The bullseye gets bigger and bigger. This team has high expectations. We have one of the toughest schedules in the country, so we have a lot of work to do."
The Blazers are back on the field Thursday for their second practice of the spring. Be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
- Today marks 200 days until the Blazers open Protective Stadium on Oct. 2 against Liberty. The season officially begins in 169 days in Montgomery as UAB faces Jacksonville State on Sept. 1. Season tickets are available here.
- Number changes: Blazer nation will see players in new numbers this season. Some recognizable changes include Kelle Sanders (#2), Ryan Davis (#6), Samario Rudolph (#7), Trea Shropshire (#11), Troy Young (#11) and Austin McGee (#23).
- The Blazers return 17 starters from last year's team, along with 12 seniors who are utilizing their extra year of eligibility due to COVID. Most notably, UAB returns every starter on the offensive line to a unit that allowed the third fewest sacks nationally in 2020 and helped UAB rush for 200.0 yards per game.
HEAD COACH BILL CLARK:
On opening spring practice . . .
"Today, I saw everybody getting better and still protecting each other. Like every first day, we have a lot of things to get better at and a lot of things to correct. Our attitudes were great and they practiced well together."
On how players have prepared . . .
"The thing I have been really proud of is our offseason. With recruiting being the way it is, it has allowed us to move spring later. I want to brag on all of them with how they have trained."
On the ending to last season . . .
"I think we were disappointed (to not have the bowl game), but our last memory was a championship memory. It is great memories of a championship. That is all we are thinking about. That is now behind us. The bullseye gets bigger and bigger. This team has high expectations. We have one of the toughest schedules in the country, so we have a lot of work to do."
The Blazers are back on the field Thursday for their second practice of the spring. Be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
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