The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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UAB Football Completes Opening Day of Fall Camp
7/31/2023 4:42:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team officially began the 2023 season on Monday morning at the Football Operations Center with its first fall practice under the direction of new head coach Trent Dilfer.
THREE OBSERVATIONS:
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
OPENING STATEMENT:
"I'm just happy to be back. I told you guys from day one that I am learning on the fly. I learned that when our coaches were on vacation, you miss being together. The best part of training camp is that the tribe is back together. We're well aware that the journey is long, but we want to do it together. It's exciting to get camp going."
On training camp from when Dilfer played compared to being a coach:
"Drastically different but I would say in a good way. In fact, when we were finalizing practicing plans, we have had practice plans done for weeks. I made a comment to Mort (Alex Mortensen), people have complained about it, but there have been some really good rules. Acclimation is a really good rule. These guys need a chance to get used to heat, get used to the workload. We even take it one more extreme by layering the volume of work. We don't start 100% on day one. Some people have two practices. I never did. I believe in the evening being a learning time, recovery, more of a walk-through type pace. We are trying to get their bodies right for the season, not tear them down. This whole philosophy of breaking them, I think that was before they had the offseason training period. Now they have six weeks and there is a natural hardening of these athletes because of offseason programming that they don't need to be hardened during camp. They are almost taken care of to a certain degree. It is a little harder on coaches because you have to be creative on how to get them the volume and how to judge progression and execution."
On Jacob Zeno:
"He has done a great job. I have said from day one, I want a revelation, not a competition. He revealed himself in the offseason and needs to continue to do so. He has capacity to learn. His work habits, all the things you are looking for are there, and he is a very talented player. We look for him to continue to improve during camp, as well as the other quarterbacks too. We have good ones behind him too. The revelation could change very quickly if you're not on your Ps and Qs."
On having high standards:
"We have incredibly high standards. I have never shied away from that. I'm sure every other team can say the same thing. Talk is cheap. Doing it is hard. I believe in dreaming big. I have high standards. It is the daily grind that is ultimately how you accomplish that."
Season tickets for the 2023 UAB Football season are available starting as low as $99. Season ticket packages provide the most affordable way to catch the Blazers in action during all six home games. Fans may request more information here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Season ticket holders who have already purchased should keep an eye on their inbox for mobile delivery for your 2023 season tickets, which started today, July 31.
For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.
THREE OBSERVATIONS:
- The energy was through the roof on the opening day of practice as the Blazers venture into their first year in the American Athletic Conference. UAB was just in helmets today and did not tackle to the ground, as expected on the opening day of camp.
- There are a lot of new faces on the 2023 roster as UAB's 45 new players are the fifth most in the nation. A talented group of freshmen have accompanied a core group of transfers, 10 of which are from Power 5 schools.
- All eyes will be on the offensive line this camp as UAB looks to replace all five starters from a season ago. Center Brady Wilson and tackle Trey Bedosky return with the most experience and look to establish themselves as leaders heading into game one which is just 31 days away (Aug. 31 vs. North Carolina A&T).
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
OPENING STATEMENT:
"I'm just happy to be back. I told you guys from day one that I am learning on the fly. I learned that when our coaches were on vacation, you miss being together. The best part of training camp is that the tribe is back together. We're well aware that the journey is long, but we want to do it together. It's exciting to get camp going."
On training camp from when Dilfer played compared to being a coach:
"Drastically different but I would say in a good way. In fact, when we were finalizing practicing plans, we have had practice plans done for weeks. I made a comment to Mort (Alex Mortensen), people have complained about it, but there have been some really good rules. Acclimation is a really good rule. These guys need a chance to get used to heat, get used to the workload. We even take it one more extreme by layering the volume of work. We don't start 100% on day one. Some people have two practices. I never did. I believe in the evening being a learning time, recovery, more of a walk-through type pace. We are trying to get their bodies right for the season, not tear them down. This whole philosophy of breaking them, I think that was before they had the offseason training period. Now they have six weeks and there is a natural hardening of these athletes because of offseason programming that they don't need to be hardened during camp. They are almost taken care of to a certain degree. It is a little harder on coaches because you have to be creative on how to get them the volume and how to judge progression and execution."
On Jacob Zeno:
"He has done a great job. I have said from day one, I want a revelation, not a competition. He revealed himself in the offseason and needs to continue to do so. He has capacity to learn. His work habits, all the things you are looking for are there, and he is a very talented player. We look for him to continue to improve during camp, as well as the other quarterbacks too. We have good ones behind him too. The revelation could change very quickly if you're not on your Ps and Qs."
On having high standards:
"We have incredibly high standards. I have never shied away from that. I'm sure every other team can say the same thing. Talk is cheap. Doing it is hard. I believe in dreaming big. I have high standards. It is the daily grind that is ultimately how you accomplish that."
Season tickets for the 2023 UAB Football season are available starting as low as $99. Season ticket packages provide the most affordable way to catch the Blazers in action during all six home games. Fans may request more information here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Season ticket holders who have already purchased should keep an eye on their inbox for mobile delivery for your 2023 season tickets, which started today, July 31.
For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.
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