Oct. 13, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- With the campus practice fields still soggy from rains over the past week, the UAB football team took its Tuesday morning workout to the artificial surface at Legion Field.

The Blazers practiced for two hours in full pads as they continue to prepare for this weekend's road contest at Ole Miss. When the game kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. CT, it will be the first time UAB has played since defeating Southern Miss, 30-17, on Oct. 1.

After going through an open week, UAB head coach Neil Callaway said Tuesday his players seemed refreshed.

"There's no question the open week really helped us," Callaway said. "Everybody is fresh and energetic, mentally as much as physically. We were a little rusty on some things today, but I thought the effort and energy and intensity were pretty good."

Against Ole Miss, the Blazers will face a team that has been ranked as high as No. 4 in the country and currently stands at 3-2 after last weekend's 22-3 loss to Alabama.

"Those guys are very good football players, but our scout teams on both sides of the ball have done very well the last two or three weeks," Callaway said. "Guys have given us a good picture, so I've been pleased with that part of it."

Saturday's game, which will be televised by Fox Sports South, will be the first of three straight on the road for UAB. The game will be carried on the Blazers ISP Sports Network and can be heard in the Birmingham area on flagship station WUHT-FM 107.7.