The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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UAB Football Week 1 Press Conference Transcript
8/26/2024 4:27:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – As the UAB football team gears up to host Alcorn State this Thursday, Aug. 29 at Protective Stadium, Head Coach Trent Dilfer held his weekly press conference on Monday afternoon to preview the season opener.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
Dilfer's opening statement:
"It's pretty simple, we've got a lot to prove. I'm encouraged by the growth of the team, but I think every coach probably feels pretty good about their team right now. It's that time of year. We've got to prove it on game nights and our first opportunity is to prove it Thursday night against an opponent that is picked to win their side of the division in their conference. Some really good returning players, I understand it's a level below, but they present some challenges. We haven't proven anything yet so we have to play well."
Dilfer on opening the 2024 season after fall camp:
"It's a fun group to coach. They bought in since day one of the winter program, and then the new guys that came in May bought in quickly. There's a lot of, as I've said this offseason, there's some risk there with being that heavy in the May (transfer) portal. But, they've bought in, they're fun to coach, they like each other, they do all the things we ask them to do, and because of that, they are a joy to coach. I think everyone of our coaches would say that. There's an energy in the building because I think we all enjoy being around each other and that's probably the best thing I can say at this point because we haven't proven anything on the field."
Dilfer on the excitement surrounding the running back room:
"We're really excited about this group, and there's no secret that we, I don't want to say we have three, we have five really talented (running) backs. I don't know if there will be a #1 and a #2 to be honest with you. They have different skill sets, but all of them can do everything. That's something you usually don't get with a full backfield is that guys can do a lot of different things. So it helps with our versatility, it helps with what we can do offensively, they're tough, they're smart, they're great teammates, they root for each other. Now I think the danger there is you're like "oh we're just going to ground and pound." I've never been around an offense that's great at this ground and pound. I think you have to be able to do everything offensively. But I do believe that one of the things you have to establish early on in the season is to be able to run the ball and stop the run so we'll definitely try to run the football."
Dilfer on the areas of improvement on the defense:
"The two biggest things would be the defensive line and the safety position. Defensive line, we've invested a lot in development and getting new defensive linemen so that's a position that needs to play at a very high level for us to be successful and they've had a very good camp. The safety position, especially, (has) more depth, better ability to fit what we want to do, system fit guys, versatility. So the more versatile your safeties are, the more you can do defensively. We are really excited about those two levels. I can say a lot of good things about the linebacker position. I think we are better everywhere, but those are the two that just jump out at me."
UAB and Alcorn State kick off on Thursday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
- The Blazers meet Alcorn State for the second time in school history and for the first time since 2007 when UAB won 22-0. The Blazers are 8-0 in season openers dating back to the 2014 season.
- Quarterback Jacob Zeno enters his senior campaign as the nation's leading returner in completion percentage. The record-setting QB completed 73.6 percent of his passes last year and finished second nationally in that category only behind Bo Nix.
- Thursday night will be a Party at Protective and offers free beer sampling at Blazer Village from Cahaba Brewing, District Brewing and Back Forty Beer Company. Additionally, there will be $5 domestic drink specials inside the stadium. Season and single game tickets are available by clicking here.
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
Dilfer's opening statement:
"It's pretty simple, we've got a lot to prove. I'm encouraged by the growth of the team, but I think every coach probably feels pretty good about their team right now. It's that time of year. We've got to prove it on game nights and our first opportunity is to prove it Thursday night against an opponent that is picked to win their side of the division in their conference. Some really good returning players, I understand it's a level below, but they present some challenges. We haven't proven anything yet so we have to play well."
Dilfer on opening the 2024 season after fall camp:
"It's a fun group to coach. They bought in since day one of the winter program, and then the new guys that came in May bought in quickly. There's a lot of, as I've said this offseason, there's some risk there with being that heavy in the May (transfer) portal. But, they've bought in, they're fun to coach, they like each other, they do all the things we ask them to do, and because of that, they are a joy to coach. I think everyone of our coaches would say that. There's an energy in the building because I think we all enjoy being around each other and that's probably the best thing I can say at this point because we haven't proven anything on the field."
Dilfer on the excitement surrounding the running back room:
"We're really excited about this group, and there's no secret that we, I don't want to say we have three, we have five really talented (running) backs. I don't know if there will be a #1 and a #2 to be honest with you. They have different skill sets, but all of them can do everything. That's something you usually don't get with a full backfield is that guys can do a lot of different things. So it helps with our versatility, it helps with what we can do offensively, they're tough, they're smart, they're great teammates, they root for each other. Now I think the danger there is you're like "oh we're just going to ground and pound." I've never been around an offense that's great at this ground and pound. I think you have to be able to do everything offensively. But I do believe that one of the things you have to establish early on in the season is to be able to run the ball and stop the run so we'll definitely try to run the football."
Dilfer on the areas of improvement on the defense:
"The two biggest things would be the defensive line and the safety position. Defensive line, we've invested a lot in development and getting new defensive linemen so that's a position that needs to play at a very high level for us to be successful and they've had a very good camp. The safety position, especially, (has) more depth, better ability to fit what we want to do, system fit guys, versatility. So the more versatile your safeties are, the more you can do defensively. We are really excited about those two levels. I can say a lot of good things about the linebacker position. I think we are better everywhere, but those are the two that just jump out at me."
UAB and Alcorn State kick off on Thursday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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