Oct. 12, 2009

Press Conference

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Coming off a 30-17 win over Southern Miss on Oct. 1 and a bye week this past weekend, the UAB football team is ready to jump back into action when it plays at Ole Miss on Saturday. The Blazers and the Rebels are set to kick off at 6 p.m. CT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.

UAB head coach Neil Callaway, along with TE Jeffery Anderson, DL David Decordova and LB Drew Luker, attended Monday's media luncheon to discuss the upcoming game at Ole Miss.

After earning the program's first win over Southern Miss, 30-17, Callaway noted that the open date came at a good time for his players.

"I think it was a good time for us to have an open week," said Callaway. "We're five weeks into the season, plus you count four weeks of camp, so we've been grinding pretty hard for nine weeks. I think our players needed a break and it came at a good time."

The Blazers have now turned their focus to Southeastern Conference foe Ole Miss, which Callaway recognizes as a tough opponent that will present a challenge.

"I think we have a tremendous challenge ahead of us," said Callaway. "Their offensive and defensive lines are as big and physical as we'll play against, not just this year, but probably the entire time we've been here.

"Not only are they big and physical up front, I think they have tremendous team speed. I've been very impressed watching them play."

The UAB/Ole Miss contest, scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start, will be televised by Fox Sports South.

The game will also be carried on the Blazers ISP Sports Network and can be heard in the Birmingham area on flagship station WUHT-FM 107.7 with David Crane (play-by-play) and Jake Arians (color) on the call. The pregame show will begin 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Head Coach Neil Callaway
On the open date last week:
"We're coming off an open week. Really, because of the weather, we were not able to get a lot done practice-wise. We had planned to go out Monday through Thursday. Because of the weather, we only got to go out Tuesday and Thursday and we really didn't get done what I would have liked to get done. But, the good thing that came out of it is that we're certainly fresh and as healthy as we've been in a while."

On Ole Miss:
"I think we have a tremendous challenge ahead of us. Their offensive and defensive lines are as big and physical as we'll play against, not just this year, but probably the entire time we've been here. Watching the film on them before they played Alabama, it was obvious they were a good football team. I know Alabama won the game, but at the same time, watching them get after each other, I thought it was a heck of a ball game. Not only are they big and physical up front, I think they have tremendous team speed. I've been very impressed watching them play."

On having an open date after the win over Southern Miss:
"I think it was a good time for us to have an open week. We're five weeks into the season, plus you count four weeks of camp, so we've been grinding pretty hard for nine weeks. I think our players needed a break and it came at a good time."

On the importance of pressuring Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead:
"I think it's important to not just pressure him, but to get pressure on any quarterback. He has had his moments when he's struggled, but that has been when he's had pressure on him. There have been times when he looks like a fine quarterback. I think the key for us is to get pressure on him and get to him, and I think that's been one of our strong suits so far this season. Our front four has done a good job of getting pressure and getting sacks. I think Bryant Turner and Derek Slaughter especially have done a good job with that, and we have to continue to do that."

On last week's practices:
"We went out Tuesday and Thursday, and that was it. Our fields were pretty much drenched. The only thing we did do a little differently is that we went out Sunday, which we normally don't do. Normally we lift, run and meet on Sunday, but because we were not able to get out last week, we did go out yesterday for about an hour. Hopefully that will help us be ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a big workday for us. We'll be back on a normal game week schedule."

On trying to improve in the passing game:
"I think the passing game is kind of all-inclusive. I learned a long time ago if you want to be efficient and effective throwing the football, it takes everybody. You have to have protection first. That includes the offensive line and the running backs. Then you have to have receivers being at the right place at the right time, and then you have to have a quarterback throwing the ball at the right spot, and then they have to catch it. So we need to get better in each area."

Junior TE Jeffery Anderson
On beating Southern Miss:
"It was a big win because we've never beat Southern Miss and they embarrassed us last year. It was a great win and helped our confidence."

On practicing less last week due to weather:
"It was good to have a couple days off. Like I said we just worked on our mental aspect of the game. We started watching film on Ole Miss so we can be better prepared for what they're going to do."

On the keys to beating Ole Miss:
"We have to go out and play hard. We have to get the offense and passing game going because that will be a big key for us in that game."

On playing better on the road:
"I think the most important thing is for us to come out playing hard. In a lot of games we've come out sloppy and then we have had to try to fight back at the end. So I think it's good for us to come out hard right away."

On getting back into game mode after time off:
"I feel like the past couple weeks that we just haven't really been on the same page offensively. This week really gave us the opportunity for all of the offensive players to meet and be on the same page about the game."

Senior DL David Decordova
On watching tape of Ole Miss:
"We looked at them on tape, especially their screens, all of their passes and runs, during the bye week. We keep watching it and breaking it down."

On how important it was to have a bye week after their win:
"It was pretty good because winning the game (against Southern Miss) really got our spirits up. We're ready to play now and are hungry for another win."

On the biggest challenge Ole Miss will present:
"From a defensive standpoint, it's the offensive line. They're big, physical and they're definitely going to try to run the ball."

On improving UAB's record on the road:
"The first two road games, we've struggled. But right now, we feel like we're on track and we want to keep that going. We're hungry to play right now. Coming off the Southern Miss win and the off week, we just want to get on the field again."

Sophomore LB Drew Luker
On having a bye week:
"I think it was good for the whole team. We didn't get to be on the field much, but we were able to get our bodies back. Having fresh legs will definitely help us this week getting ready for Ole Miss."

On Ole Miss:
"They're real physical and big upfront on the offensive line. We're really going to have to come ready to play and have a good week of practice."

On the importance of winning against Southern Miss prior to the bye week:
"Winning over Southern Miss helped us get our confidence back up. Going into the bye week it definitely helped."

On facing Ole Miss' running game:
"We have played strong against the run all year. If we have a good, physical week of practice, then we'll be able to go out Saturday and get the job done."