The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB to Host First Place Navy on Saturday at Protective Stadium
9/23/2024 4:04:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team returns to Protective Stadium for the first time in a month to host first-place Navy this Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
The Blazers are coming off their first of two bye weeks and enter the contest at 1-2 overall. Navy is unbeaten at 3-0 and has a record of 2-0 in AAC play. The Midshipmen most recently defeated Memphis 56-44 and will be playing their first road game of the season this Saturday.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
Coach Dilfer's Opening Statement:
"Well, thanks for being here. I think there's two things we need to start with that are bigger than football. Number one, the tragic shooting that happened yesterday morning, I guess it was the night before. I think number one our hearts go out with the victims, their families. We personally have a player who was affected by it, I don't want to share details. So it has touched our program. But it also reinforces why we built this thing for something bigger than football. It was an opportunity to talk to our players, reinforce why we are trying to build men that will have a positive impact on our communities, especially the city of Birmingham. We obviously have issues with violence. We feel like our kids here as they grow in the program can be role models to young kids in the city that there is an alternative. So that is something we are able to talk to our players about. And then number two our second-year partnership with Smile-A-Mile. Another opportunity for our kids to live for something bigger than themselves, represent something bigger than the name on the front of their jersey. They represent a family that's dealing with something that none of us ever want to deal with. Our family has. So that's especially important to the Dilfer family that we are able to use football as a platform to honor and encourage people going through something a lot harder than whatever is going on the football field, whether it's the NFL, college, high school, losses are painful, but not nearly as painful as the struggles we go through as families, especially families with kids battling for their lives. On to football, another great challenge for us, which is exciting. I think the cool thing about the American Conference is that every game is a war-daddy. Every program in this conference is unique, it's a unique challenge, this one especially. Coach Newberry's done an incredible job understanding the players on his team and what they can do better than other people and that was proven against Memphis. They have a system in place that maximizes, optimizes their players' ability, creates a ton of challenges for you offensively, defensively, and in the kicking game. They are very solid in the kicking game. We are really, really excited about this next challenge. I think where this team has grown is instead of having anxiety about what's next, there's an enthusiasm and excitement about the next challenge and this is a massive challenge for us and we look forward to seeing how we stand up against them on Saturday."
Coach Dilfer on his relationship with Mayor Randall Woodfin:
"Mayor Woodfin and I have developed a really good relationship and friendship. I think the world of him. I am maybe one of his biggest fans. I did not reach out to him after (the shooting), simply because he's got a lot bigger fish to fry than the football coach. These are issues he has been addressing head on for quite a while. If you follow him on social media, he is very bold on his stance against these types of acts of violence against switches, against all these things that are plaguing our community. I know he has exhausted every effort, he has brought other resources, he has begged for other resources. He has tried to put this at the forefront of everything and all I can say publicly is that we lock arms with him. It's one of the reasons why our kids, you know people say, "why do you serve so much?" I think there are two reasons. Number one, you have to live life for something that's bigger than yourself. Life is always better when it is bigger than you. Service is a way to learn that skill. But number two, invest in the community. Every community, whether it's Birmingham or other communities, has its issues and young people, the next generation, can fix those issues. You can put a band-aid on this generation. That's about the best you can do. But you can fix the next generation. A lot of that happens because of role models. You need young people to look and see role models as those who are going to school, getting an education, playing a sport, pursuing a passion, chasing their best, climbing mountains. Whatever it is, not the easy road. The violent road, the selfish road. Our kids right now are serving the homeless. If that is something that is looked up to by our young people then maybe "the other life" is not as desirable to young people."
Coach Dilfer on the timing of the bye week in the schedule:
"Yeah, it was perfect I think for a lot of reasons. One, we had the massive turd week two. Then we had to follow it up with an SEC opponent, which I thought we responded well from a preparation standpoint, and our general temperament of how we played that game, our execution wasn't great, that's something we can continue to work on. But the temperament with how we approached the Arkansas game was really encouraging, but it also beat us up. Anytime you play an SEC opponent, you are going get a little more battered and bruised so it gives us a chance to heal up. Last night, we were pretty healthy overall, but also kind of a reset. One of our core values is resetting. I think those are small increments, you know we talk about doing it in eight seconds, but there's also a bigger reset. Getting ready for conference play against an opponent that creates unique challenges, being able to steal a day on them and just what they do is important. But I think just for the soul of our team it was really good. They also got to see their families and I remember this specifically and, you know, it was a thousand years ago, but being able to see your family in the midst of a football season can be challenging and when you have an opportunity to do so it kind of recharges your batteries, and a lot of our guys came back with recharged batteries."
Coach Dilfer on evaluating the defense's ability to defend the run game:
"I mean obviously it's been something we've struggled with the whole time, it's not just been the past two games. Against equal or better opponents than us, it's been our achilles heel. We took a close look at scheme, personnel, technique, we looked at it from a fundamentals standpoint as well, I guess that fits in the technique. At the end of the day, stopping the run is destroying blocks, running to the football, and tackling. We have to do a better job at block destruction. Our length, added length, this year should help with that, and it has at times. You know it shows, at times it has. Running to the football, I think we're good, not great yet. And I think tackling, we've been better, but not as good as we need to be. So you continue to make small little changes over time, and those become big changes if you stick with them and you're consistent, but we're still in the "small little changes over time" phase. To think that we're going to shut down Navy's run game, I think, is probably an unrealistic expectation. I think you have to limit the damage, contain it, I think you have to win the big downs. The one that they do consistently is win the big downs and the big situations. So you have to find a way to win those downs."
The Blazers are coming off their first of two bye weeks and enter the contest at 1-2 overall. Navy is unbeaten at 3-0 and has a record of 2-0 in AAC play. The Midshipmen most recently defeated Memphis 56-44 and will be playing their first road game of the season this Saturday.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
- UAB will be honoring Smile-A-Mile by wearing the names of 100 patients on the back of their black and lime alternate jerseys. Now in year two of the partnership, Smile-A-Mile's mission is to provide hope, healing of the spirit and love for the whole family during the childhood cancer journey. Through year-round meaningful and educational programming, Smile-A-Mile helps those in Alabama who are affected by childhood cancer thrive during treatment and the years beyond. Located just blocks away from UAB's campus, Blazer football has logged numerous hours serving Smile-A-Mile with various volunteer opportunities.
- The Blazers will try to contain Navy's high-powered offense which averages 47.7 points per game and ranks fourth nationally in rushing offense, averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground (307.3). UAB has been tremendous in pass defense, ranking third nationally by allowing just 102.7 passing yards per game while opposing quarterbacks are completing 29-of-63 passes (46 percent). However, UAB allows 197.3 rushing yards per game and will need to stop the run this weekend for the Blazers to be successful.
- Jacob Zeno continues to be one of the most accurate passers in the nation having completed 70.8 percent of his passes this season. He has attempted 32 passes in each game this year with no less than 22 completions (23 vs. Alcorn, 22 vs. ULM, 23 vs. Arkansas). Zeno is coming off a game at Arkansas in which he threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns and faces a Navy defense that ranks 119th in total defense, allowing 436.0 yards per game.
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
Coach Dilfer's Opening Statement:
"Well, thanks for being here. I think there's two things we need to start with that are bigger than football. Number one, the tragic shooting that happened yesterday morning, I guess it was the night before. I think number one our hearts go out with the victims, their families. We personally have a player who was affected by it, I don't want to share details. So it has touched our program. But it also reinforces why we built this thing for something bigger than football. It was an opportunity to talk to our players, reinforce why we are trying to build men that will have a positive impact on our communities, especially the city of Birmingham. We obviously have issues with violence. We feel like our kids here as they grow in the program can be role models to young kids in the city that there is an alternative. So that is something we are able to talk to our players about. And then number two our second-year partnership with Smile-A-Mile. Another opportunity for our kids to live for something bigger than themselves, represent something bigger than the name on the front of their jersey. They represent a family that's dealing with something that none of us ever want to deal with. Our family has. So that's especially important to the Dilfer family that we are able to use football as a platform to honor and encourage people going through something a lot harder than whatever is going on the football field, whether it's the NFL, college, high school, losses are painful, but not nearly as painful as the struggles we go through as families, especially families with kids battling for their lives. On to football, another great challenge for us, which is exciting. I think the cool thing about the American Conference is that every game is a war-daddy. Every program in this conference is unique, it's a unique challenge, this one especially. Coach Newberry's done an incredible job understanding the players on his team and what they can do better than other people and that was proven against Memphis. They have a system in place that maximizes, optimizes their players' ability, creates a ton of challenges for you offensively, defensively, and in the kicking game. They are very solid in the kicking game. We are really, really excited about this next challenge. I think where this team has grown is instead of having anxiety about what's next, there's an enthusiasm and excitement about the next challenge and this is a massive challenge for us and we look forward to seeing how we stand up against them on Saturday."
Coach Dilfer on his relationship with Mayor Randall Woodfin:
"Mayor Woodfin and I have developed a really good relationship and friendship. I think the world of him. I am maybe one of his biggest fans. I did not reach out to him after (the shooting), simply because he's got a lot bigger fish to fry than the football coach. These are issues he has been addressing head on for quite a while. If you follow him on social media, he is very bold on his stance against these types of acts of violence against switches, against all these things that are plaguing our community. I know he has exhausted every effort, he has brought other resources, he has begged for other resources. He has tried to put this at the forefront of everything and all I can say publicly is that we lock arms with him. It's one of the reasons why our kids, you know people say, "why do you serve so much?" I think there are two reasons. Number one, you have to live life for something that's bigger than yourself. Life is always better when it is bigger than you. Service is a way to learn that skill. But number two, invest in the community. Every community, whether it's Birmingham or other communities, has its issues and young people, the next generation, can fix those issues. You can put a band-aid on this generation. That's about the best you can do. But you can fix the next generation. A lot of that happens because of role models. You need young people to look and see role models as those who are going to school, getting an education, playing a sport, pursuing a passion, chasing their best, climbing mountains. Whatever it is, not the easy road. The violent road, the selfish road. Our kids right now are serving the homeless. If that is something that is looked up to by our young people then maybe "the other life" is not as desirable to young people."
Coach Dilfer on the timing of the bye week in the schedule:
"Yeah, it was perfect I think for a lot of reasons. One, we had the massive turd week two. Then we had to follow it up with an SEC opponent, which I thought we responded well from a preparation standpoint, and our general temperament of how we played that game, our execution wasn't great, that's something we can continue to work on. But the temperament with how we approached the Arkansas game was really encouraging, but it also beat us up. Anytime you play an SEC opponent, you are going get a little more battered and bruised so it gives us a chance to heal up. Last night, we were pretty healthy overall, but also kind of a reset. One of our core values is resetting. I think those are small increments, you know we talk about doing it in eight seconds, but there's also a bigger reset. Getting ready for conference play against an opponent that creates unique challenges, being able to steal a day on them and just what they do is important. But I think just for the soul of our team it was really good. They also got to see their families and I remember this specifically and, you know, it was a thousand years ago, but being able to see your family in the midst of a football season can be challenging and when you have an opportunity to do so it kind of recharges your batteries, and a lot of our guys came back with recharged batteries."
Coach Dilfer on evaluating the defense's ability to defend the run game:
"I mean obviously it's been something we've struggled with the whole time, it's not just been the past two games. Against equal or better opponents than us, it's been our achilles heel. We took a close look at scheme, personnel, technique, we looked at it from a fundamentals standpoint as well, I guess that fits in the technique. At the end of the day, stopping the run is destroying blocks, running to the football, and tackling. We have to do a better job at block destruction. Our length, added length, this year should help with that, and it has at times. You know it shows, at times it has. Running to the football, I think we're good, not great yet. And I think tackling, we've been better, but not as good as we need to be. So you continue to make small little changes over time, and those become big changes if you stick with them and you're consistent, but we're still in the "small little changes over time" phase. To think that we're going to shut down Navy's run game, I think, is probably an unrealistic expectation. I think you have to limit the damage, contain it, I think you have to win the big downs. The one that they do consistently is win the big downs and the big situations. So you have to find a way to win those downs."
Players Mentioned
QB
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