The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Bill Clark Previews C-USA Opener at North Texas
9/18/2017 12:19:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In advance of Saturday's Conference USA opener at North Texas, head coach Bill Clark addressed the media on Monday morning at the Football Operations Center.
NOTES:
- UAB continues to lead Conference USA in rushing yards per game (254.7) and ranks 16th in the nation in that category.
- A.J. Erdely leads C-USA and is fifth nationally with five rushing touchdowns.
- UAB has scored at least 30 points in all three games this season.
- The UAB defense is averaging 8.7 TFL per game which is 10th nationally.
- UAB has three players inside the top five in tackles for loss per game in C-USA (2. Tevin Crews - 1.50, T3. Anthony Rush - 1.33, T5. Shaq Jones - 1.17).
- UAB's four interceptions this season are tied for the most in C-USA.
- The Blazers lead the all-time series with North Texas 2-0. The first contest came in 1995 and the second was in 2014 at Legion Field (56-21 win for UAB). UAB and North Texas will meet annually as members of the C-USA West Division.
Opening Statement:
"Going back to recap Saturday's game, it was obviously a huge win, they're all special as I told the players afterwards. What I want to do going back to the week before was not let the tough road loss linger. I was so proud of the guys how they came in on Sunday for workouts and treatment. From Monday on there were no excuses it was just let's get better and I thought we had a really good week of practice.
"I was proud of our fans and all of the people that showed up for an early kick - we had a great crowd and I was really proud of them. Obviously it wasn't just the first game and I think that the crowds will continue to grow. For Homecoming against Louisiana Tech I expect a great crowd.
"From the game I was really proud of the defense how they started, they played really well. They got put in some bad spots a couple of times and played well. We wore down the Coastal Carolina offense towards the end of the game and they played when we needed them. We had some big takeaways, we did good against Coastal Carolina who had the option attack and different speed sweeps and motions. I will take the blame for one of the last drives, we went a little soft in coverage and that was my fault. Offensively we had the good start, played well and took advantage of the turnovers that the defense gave us in Coastal territory and got touchdowns out of that. We had a really great drive at the end of the game when we needed to go up by two scores. We want to work on first and ten. We had some issues with that and we are looking for more consistency. Special teams were really good minus a turnover. We have to protect the ball. We also had a low kick on our PAT and it got blocked but overall I was pleased with special teams. Ball security is always important, we have to get the ball up.
"Looking ahead to this week we have a really good test going to North Texas playing them at their place. They are leading the conference in almost offensive category, they have one of the best offenses in our league. They have weapons everywhere, they have the back that is leading the conference, they have a quarterback that can throw it around, a huge offensive line. Defensively they are playing really well, they've had two game in a row with two really good opponents. I know Coach (Seth) Litrrell is doing a really good job and we are expecting a battle. We need to correct little mistakes, our effort and passion is there, we are playing really hard but we have to correct little mistakes as we go into conference play. I always say everybody is 0-0 now. Big week for us, we have an open date coming up next week which will come at a good time, but we need to go play well this week."
On what you learned about your team on Saturday:
"We are learning something every game. Normally you are looking at about 60 guys who have been in some sort of a big time college football game, you bring in 20 freshman and maybe some junior college guys. With us, we looked out there and 70 to 75 of our guys were playing in their first college football game against Alabama A&M. Then it was their first real road game, they're not riding in school buses to games whether it's junior college or high school. Now they're taking a flight, they handled it well. They had adversity at Ball State and we learned from that. Now it's what does practice look like after a tough loss and I thought they did a really good job. Now the next thing for us is it's not over until it's over, I don't think anybody quit but it was a little bit of relaxation and there is none of that until it's over. Every week we are learning something and it's always good to learn something with a win. Anytime you can get the win and still learn something that is good. We had our meeting this morning where we watched the film and I think they thought we lost because it was tough. Everything counts and everything is important and they are handling that well. I like teaching these lessons after wins."
On what A.J. Erdely adds to your run game:
"People are starting to see what kind of runner he is. He is a really good athlete when that pocket collapses. We have to do a better job of protecting even though the offensive line did a good job, you always have that ability to scramble and then you have zone reads. Whether we're in three backs or one back you always have to take care of the quarterback and he has the ability to hurt you if you don't."
On have the experience of having the earlier road game:
"When we set this up that was one of the things we were thinking about was that we needed to go to a hostile environment against a good team. As we get into conference play, that is one of the things you talk about but that's one of the things you don't do – you don't put guys on the road and put them in a hotel. There is no way to get ready for a road game or a hostile crowd except to do it. Now we have been in that setting. I always talk about that we've always been a good road team because we keep the details that we have at home on the road. They have to experience it and hopefully Ball State will be something that helps us.
On how big it is to have multiple running backs:
"As we find guys who step up, those carries change and guys get better and better. Spencer (Brown) is starting to get more carries but we want to have three or four guys who can carry the load and that is what you are seeing. These guys all work hard at practice and they all bring a different skill set whether it's pass protection or catching the ball out of the backfield. All of that going together makes for better competition and you're not so worried if one guys gets an ankle or something. The depth is huge."
On the challenges North Texas presents:
"Offensively they are unbelievably talented. You have a head coach who was a really good offensive coordinator, an offensive coordinator who is used to slinging it all over the field. Their quarterback is one of the best I've seen. He's not a big guy but he has a laser for an arm and stays alive, he has good feet. They are really really big up front but athletic. The running back is the top guy in the conference right now in yards rushing. They can run the ball, they can throw the ball, they can spread you, they are horizontal, they are vertical. They gave Iowa all they wanted, they led at halftime and had every chance to win that game and now we have to go to their place. It's going to be tough and they do a really good job defensively. This is a really quality opponent and going to their place too."
On stressing to your guys that it's conference play now:
"If it can ratchet up you ratchet up because it's conference play. We wanted to get through these games 3-0 but we're the next closest thing. Now it's 0-0 in conference play and they are all going to have a life of their own. We are going to have to fight our tails off each week but right now this is all we're focused on. It does raise expectations some if that's possible."
Players Mentioned
Monday, June 08
Monday, June 08
Sunday, June 07
Sunday, June 07
