[gorillapittpray]

Wed October 22nd 2014

BLAZERS EXCITED AS FIRST BCS RELEASED:
UAB OPENS UP AT NO. 3 AS THE SECOND HALF HEATS UP

Birmingham, Ala - When the season opened the Blazers weren't even in the top 30. "Maybe that affected the players a bit and caused them to work harder." Head coach Travis Rhatigan said. "But as a staff, we know what winning does especially in the SEC. It takes care of it self." The Blazers opened up behind two Big Ten schools in Iowa and Wisconsin who will face each other at season's end. But the players know one slip up can have you tumbling to no end. "There seems to be quite a few good teams out there, some one loss teams making strong cases too." Linebacker Timi McCollum said. If the Blazers hope to advance or atleast stay the course they not need another performance like they had a week ago against South Caroline.
In other news The Blazers got a devastating blow. Wide receiver Matt Ford re-injured his back and will be out the next 8-10 weeks. After a 21 yard leaping catch he landed awkwardly on his back. With a deep receiver core however the Blazers hope to not miss a beat.

RECRUITING NEWS:

(CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL'S TWO WAY STAR #77 JAMES THOMPSON (OL/DL)

• Blazers got their first commitment of the season when Smyrna, Ga athlete James Thompson gave his verbal earlier this week. The Campbell High School prospect who is rated a 3 star athlete played both Defensive Tackle and Offensive Tackle for the Spartans. At 6'4 301 pounds James will be looking to move piles no matter what side of the ball he's on. "We're pretty thin on the ofensive side of the ball so we'll give him looks there first and take it from there." Stated head coach Travis Rhatigan.

FOOTBALL TEAM TAKES MEASURES FOR KENTUCKY MATCH-UP

Matchup Preview | October 25, 2014
	@
Kentucky Wildcats (1-6, Away)		#3 UAB Blazers (6-0, Home)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB football team continued taking measures to prepare for Saturday’s contest against the Kentucky Wildcats as it practiced for roughly two hours on Wednesday morning in shorts and shells.
Head coach Travis Rhatigan was pleased with the team’s effort and feels the team has a better grasp of Kentucky's game plan after practice ended.
“ We had a lot more energy today and a lot more focus,” Rhatigan said. “It was our third day working on Kentucky so we had a lot better feel today.”
The Blazers will face several challenges against Wildcats, receiver Matt Ford will more than likely be out for the rest of the season. They also cant let up becuase of the 1-6 record by the wildcats.
“ Each season you go through a bit of adversity and how you handle it defines the team. I think this team is more than capable of handling that. We'll miss Ford” Rhatigan said. “But It’s going to be a big challenge."
Much has been talk about the defense and skillful offensive guys but none about the offensive line who currently has given up the least amount of sacks in the NCAA.
"Im impressed with them to this point, we had concern coming into the season but for the most part they've held their own." stated Rhatigan.
Most would look at the Blazers and see the strong play of quarterback Adam Dyks who reaps the benefits of good protection but running back Cody Gore has quietly put up good rushing numbers since taking over Matthew Scott's starting job after his injury. Gore is third in the SEC with 700 yards rushing and has 7 rushing touchdowns.
Kentucky is a team who has not been able to put up points. But the lone bright spot is their defense who has kept them in every game.
"Kentucky will blitz you until the cows come home" defensive end Courtney Harris does well as he is third in the conference with 6.5 sacks on the season.

The game in Huntington, W.Va. will be carried on radio via Birmingham affiliate WJOX-FM 94.5.
Kickoff time for UAB and the Wildcats is set for 12:30. CT with the pregame show on the Blazers IMG Sports Network set for 10:30 a.m.
Saturday’s game will also be televised regionally by CBS.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON UAB

• Will UAB come out ready to play, Rhatigan coached teams come out flat against less quality opponents
• Which receiver will step up in the absence of Matt Ford, with Travis Jackson getting a lot of attention the door is open for another to make plays
• How will the defense bounce back after giving up the most points all season a week a go

WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON KENTUCKY

• Quarterback Josh Newman: He's thrown 8 int's and only 4 td's, has already been sacked 20 times, how will he handle pressure from the nations #1 defense
• With UAB's pressure defense RB Blake Miller should be able to get some space, the quick back has shown flashes this season
• Kentucky's defense: Courtney Harris will get doubled teamed, Corner Zach Brewer has 6 int's if they can get pressure he can make plays