UAB - SPRING WRAP-UP REPORT

[BULLO12]

All UAB Reporting will continue on this Thread only.

UAB Schedule:

Day Date Opponent Location TV Outcome/Time  

Sat 09/04/2004 BAYLOR Birmingham, Ala.   TBA  

Sat 09/18/2004 at Florida State Tallahassee, Fla.   TBA  

Sat 09/25/2004 MEMPHIS* Birmingham, Ala.   TBA  

Sat 10/02/2004 at Cincinnati* Cincinnati, Ohio   TBA  

Sat 10/09/2004 at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss.   TBA  

Sat 10/16/2004 TCU* Birmingham, Ala.   TBA  

Sat 10/23/2004 at Tulane* New Orleans, La.   TBA  

Sat 11/06/2004 USF* Birmingham, Ala.   TBA  

Sat 11/13/2004 HOUSTON* Birmingham, Ala.   TBA  

Sat 11/20/2004 at Army* West Point, N.Y.   TBA  

Sat 11/27/2004 at Southern Miss* Hattiesburg, Miss.   TBA  

UAB History (Small)

UAB Athletics began in 1977 with the hiring of Gene Bartow as athletic director and men's basketball coach. Over the next 22 years, Coach Bartow oversaw the expansion of UAB athletics as it grew to 17 intercollegiate teams competing at the nation's highest level.  

Almost instantly, UAB Basketball was a huge success, exploding onto the national scene with a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in the program's fourth season. The Blazer's became a basketball powerhouse in the 1980's reaching the NCAA Tournament in seven consecutive years.  

Coach Bartow's dream of seeing UAB compete in all phases of college athletics, became a reality when the Blazers began a football program in 1989. UAB Football joined Conference USA in 1999, finishing second in the conference in just their first year. The young team won a momentous game in 2000, going on the road to beat SEC power LSU in Baton Rouge.

UAB Football

 

Blazers go the juco route to shore up offensive line

 

The old saying at UAB is that you can never sign enough big bodies to do the dirty work in the trenches.  

Last year, the coaching staff put that saying into practice, inking a bundle of big men it hopes will pave the way on offense for years to come. However, those young linemen are still young, inexperienced and probably at least a year away from being ready to handle the wars every Saturday.  

 

And the Blazers need help right away along the offensive front.  

So the staff signed four junior college offensive linemen it plans to plug into the gaps right away - if not start.  

Two of them, Southwest Mississippi Community College tackle Julius Wilson and Pearl River (Miss.) Community College tackle Marcus Lampton, could have NFL potential down the road.  

Wilson, a 6-foot-5, 315-pounder, is a former first-team All-State product out of Southeast High School in Bradenton, Fla. He selected UAB over Mississippi State, South Florida and East Carolina.  

The 6-5, 305-pound Lampton is rated the No. 21 junior college prospect in Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. The Columbus, Miss., native signed with Southern Miss out of high school and committed to South Carolina recently. But Lampton wanted to stay closer to his home and decided in the end to sign with the Blazers, snubbing the Gamecocks, West Virginia and Iowa State in the process.  

The commitments of Lampton and Wilson, along with the commitment of Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College lineman Nick Benton and the signing of Jones County (Miss.) Community College lineman Tommie Keyes, will pave the way for UAB's expected 18-member 2004 signing class.  

UAB has apparently hit every need area with this class. The offensive line was the top priority and the Blazers did a solid job of landing impact prospects in Wilson, Lampton and Keyes, who was ranked No. 18 in the Clarion-Ledger's rankings.  

Defensive line was also a need area, especially considering the rash of injuries that decimated that unit in the 2003 season. Defensive tackle Clarence Respress, the brother of Ernest Respress, is already enrolled in school and should work his way into the rotation.  

The junior college ranks served UAB well. Along with the linemen, Southwest Mississippi receiver Reggie Lindsey, the No. 14 prospect according to the Clarion-Ledger, is expected to complement senior-to-be Roddy White.  

UAB addressed need areas at linebacker and defensive back as well. Those two units will suffer heavy losses due to graduation after the 2004 season.

Brown expects more out of experienced Blazers

03/30/04

TORAINE NORRIS  

News staff writer

Despite the return of 17 starters and all its kicking game specialists, the UAB football team has a lot of work to do this spring.  

     

Blazers head football coach Watson Brown has at least a three-fold agenda for spring drills, which begin today at 3 p.m. on the Southside.  

Brown said expanding the offensive and defensive packages is one of his main objectives with so many players returning.  

"Last spring, we were really an inexperienced team in a lot of places," said Brown. "I think we can do more with our offense and defense, and we are planning to do that."  

Another goal for the Blazers this spring will be improving the depth on both sides.  

"It's important that we develop second-teamers and even some third-teamers," said Brown.  

Brown wants to expand the understanding of his total system, too. He says the defense should benefit the most under second-year defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt.  

Injuries were a big reason for UAB's 5-7 campaign in 2003. Several players who were injured last season will either not participate or will be limited. Among those expected to see limited time this spring are defensive linemen Sam Kendrick and linebacker Gaylon Black.  

FOOTBALL  STAFF:

Head Coach         Watson Brown  

Receivers Coach        Rodney Bivens

Administrative Assoc.      Diane Blakney  

Defensive Coordinator    Wayne Bolt  

Director of Football Operations  Larry Crowe  

Video Coordinator       Shannan Dodson  

Defensive Line Coach       Pat Donohoe  

Tight Ends Coach         Brandon Herring  

Graduate Assistant      Shane Jones  

Administrative Asst.      Lisa Lauderdale  

Linebackers Coach & Pro Liaison      Woodrow Lowe  

Graduate Assistant        Keith Hatcher  

Running Backs Coach

/Recruiting Coordinator       Ross Robinson  

Secondary Coach       Kevin Shirley  

Offensive Coordinator

/Quarterbacks Coach      Pat Sullivan  

Offensive Line       Larry VanDerHeyden  

UAB Announces 2004 Football Recruiting Class  

Brown Says Blazers Filled Specific Needs  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB head football coach Watson Brown says he and his coaching staff feel good about filling specific position needs with the addition of the 2004 Blazer recruiting class.  

Brown and his staff focused largely on the areas of the offensive line, defensive secondary and at linebacker in putting together this year's class. Of that number, five -- four junior college transfers (Tommie Keyes, Reggie Lindsey, Clarence Respress and Chad Wilmott) and a transfer from East Tennessee State (Tony Haynes-Dalton) -- have already enrolled at UAB and will participate in spring practice.  

"It was a year that we wanted to fill specific needs," said Brown, "no doubt about it. The first thing we had to address was offensive linemen and we felt like we needed to get some experienced linemen. We signed four linemen. Three of them are junior college players and one of them is a sophomore (Julius Wilson) even though he came out of junior college."  

The class of 21 includes eight players from the state of Alabama and six from Georgia. Other new Blazers hail from Florida (2), Mississippi (2), Kansas (1), Tennessee (1) and Texas (1).  

"We thought we needed to bring in a quarterback to go with what we have," said Brown. "Our numbers were down there. Chad Wilmott, we feel like is going to be an outstanding player." Wilmott, a 6-4, 215-pound product of Wichita, Kan., was a first-team All-America signal-caller last season as he led Butler County (Kan.) to the NJCAA national championship.  

"I thought we needed to look at linebackers and cornerbacks not so much for next year but for two years from now," Brown said. "Both starting corners and all three linebackers are seniors next season, so we took care of that.  

"I thought it was a need class and I thought we hit every area we needed to address," said Brown. "This class started out as a need class and there are a few more junior college guys in the group than we have taking in here because of that situation. Next year will be a lot heavier on the freshmen. Overall, I think we got what we needed to fill some needs and I am excited about the class as a whole."  

2004 UAB Football Signees Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Junior College)  

Brandon Alexander RB 5-10 190 Birmingham, Ala. (Carver HS)  

Nick Benton OL 6-3 310 Port Arthur, Texas (Trinity Valley, Texas CC)  

Eric Bogan DB 5-11 190 Alabaster, Ala. (Thompson HS)  

Richard Carter DE 6-6 230 Lovejoy, Ga. (Lovejoy HS)  

Will Dunbar DB 6-1 195 Atlanta, Ga. (Lakeside HS)  

Kris Guyton LB 6-3 215 Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Hillcrest HS)  

Jeff Hamby SN 6-1 205 Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills HS)  

Tony Haynes-Dalton DL 6-4 280 Franklin, Tenn. (East Tennessee State Univ.)  

Joe Henderson LB 6-2 200 Birmingham, Ala. (John Carroll HS)  

Vernard Hoover WR 6-4 195 Lovejoy, Ga. (Lovejoy HS)  

Nolan Hughey FB 6-0 210 Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills HS)  

Tommie Keyes OL 6-0 295 Louin, Miss. (Jones County, Miss. CC)  

Marcus Lampton OL 6-5 315 Columbia, Miss. (Pearl River, Miss. CC)  

Reggie Lindsey WR 5-10 185 Pensacola, Fla. (SW Mississippi JC)  

Clarence Respress DT 6-1 305 Barnesville, Ga. (Butler County, Kan. CC)  

Kevin Sanders DB 5-11 175 Pell City, Ala. (Pell City HS)  

Jerrickus Speights DE 6-5 233 Gardendale, Ala. (Gardendale HS)  

Todd Tate DB 5-11 175 Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler HS)  

Shun Williams DE 6-2 225 Buford, Ga. (Buford HS)  

Chad Wilmott QB 6-4 215 Wichita, Kan. (Butler County, Kan. CC)  

Julius Wilson OT 6-5 310 Bradenton, Fla. (SW Mississippi JC)  

UAB signees BIOS

02/05/04  

Brandon Alexander RB, 5-10, 190, Carver High, Birmingham.:  

Named to the Class 5A All-State team by The News ... Rushed for more than 5,000 yards during his high school career, including 1,475 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior ... Rushed for a season-high 357 yards on 22 carries as a senior against Mortimer Jordan ... Still must qualify academically.  

     

Nick Benton OG, 6-3, 310, Trinity Valley (Texas) C.C., Port Arthur, Texas.:  

Averaged an 86 percent grade at center position as a sophomore but will compete for time at guard at UAB ... Was named first-team all-district following sophomore season ... Allowed only two hits on quarterback from his center position in 2003 ... Registered 16 pancake blocks and earned honorable mention All-America honors by Gridwire.  

Eric Bogan RB, 5-11, 190, Thompson High, Alabaster.:  

Rushed for 1,022 yards on 152 carries and scored 11 touchdowns as a senior ... Voted Thompson MVP for 2003 season by teammates ... Finished his career with more than 2,500 yards after becoming a starter midway through his sophomore season ... Recorded 60 tackles and three interceptions on defense in 2003 ... Still must qualify academically.  

Richard Carter DE, 6-7, 225, Lovejoy High, Lovejoy, Ga.:  

Finished senior season with 98 tackles, 18 pass break-ups, three blocked kicks and 12 sacks ... Named first-team All-Clayton County, first-team all-region and first-team All-Southern Crescent Area ... Will graduate from high school with honors, has a 3.9 GPA and has already qualified.  

Will Dunbar DB, 6-1, 195, Lakeside High, Atlanta.:  

Played on the same defensive unit with current UAB standout Jermaine McElveen in high school ... Also spent time on the offensive side of the ball at tailback ... Blocked five punts and four extra points during his senior season ... Was an instrumental factor in the Vikings' four-year turnaround from being a 0-10 team during his freshman year to a 6-4 squad as a senior.  

Kris Guyton LB, 6-3, 215, Hillcrest High, Tuscaloosa.:  

Named to the Tuscaloosa News' Super 11 list ... Played in 13 games and registered 164 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, four quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection ... Established Hillcrest record for single season tackles in 2003 with 164 ... Had a season-high 22 tackles against Hueytown and recorded 19 stops against Central-Tuscaloosa ... Twice named the "Student of the Six Weeks" for outstanding academic achievement at Hillcrest and has already qualified.  

Jeff Hamby SN, 6-1, 205, Vestavia Hills.:  

A two-year starter on the offensive line for coach Buddy Anderson's squad ... Expected to help kicking game as a snapper ... Started 24 consecutive games and helped team to state Class 6A semifinal finish in 2003 where the Rebels lost to eventual state champ Hoover, 31-24 in overtime ... Vestavia finished 12-2 during his senior season.  

Tony Haynes-Dalton LB, 6-4, 280, East Tennessee State University, Franklin, Tenn.:  

Enrolled in January and will participate in spring practice ... Came to UAB after ETSU dropped its football program ... Will have three years of eligibility remaining ... Attended Centennial High School in Franklin where he made 57 tackles as a prep senior, including eight sacks and three tackles for loss.  

Joe Henderson LB, 6-2, 200, John Carroll Catholic High, Birmingham.:  

As a senior he recorded 172 total tackles, four sacks, six tackles for loss, one caused and one recovered fumble ... As a sophomore, he started as a defensive end before moving to linebacker for junior and senior seasons ... Served as team captain as a senior ... Team finished 6-5, losing in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs to Clay-Chalkville.  

Vernard Hoover WR, 6-4, 195, Lovejoy High, Lovejoy, Ga.:  

Registered 28 receptions for 678 yards (24.2 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns as a senior ... Was named All-Region, All-Area and All-County by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Clayton News-Daily ... Has a 40-inch vertical jump and runs 4.4, 40-yard dash time ... Attended Lovejoy freshman and sophomore years but attended high school in New Jersey as a junior where he set the state record in triple jump at 47-11 in May 2003 ... Was recruited by South Carolina and North Carolina State.  

Nolan Hughey FB, 6-0, 210, Vestavia Hills.:  

Rushed for 906 yards on 157 carries (5.2 avg.) with 10 rushing touchdowns as a senior in Buddy Anderson's I-formation offense ... Also recorded 23 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns ... Also has played baseball at Vestavia.  

Tommie Keyes OL, 6-0, 295, Jones County (Miss.) C.C., Louin, Miss.:  

Has already enrolled at UAB and will participate in spring practice ... Earned second-team NJCAA All-America honors ... Ranked the No.18 junior college prospect in Mississippi by the Jackson-Clarion Ledger.  

Marcus Lampton OT, 6-5, 315, Pearl River (Miss.) C.C., Columbia, Miss.:  

Named a first-team MAJAC performer ... Ranked by the Clarion-Ledger as the No.21 rated junior college prospect in Mississippi ... Attended Columbia (Miss.) High School, which is the same high school that produced NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton ... Collected 88 tackles, six for loss and two sacks as a senior ... Was also recruited by South Carolina, Iowa State and West Virginia.  

Reggie Lindsey WR, 5-10, 185, Southwest Mississippi C.C., Pensacola, Fla.:  

Showed his versatility in 2003 as he rushed 44 times for 344 yards, threw for 656 yards and caught 14 passes for 303 yards ... Also returned 10 kickoffs for 255 yards for a 25.5 yard average ... Accounted for 16 touchdowns ... Was recruited by Auburn and Oregon State and has already enrolled at UAB.  

Clarence Respress DT, 6-1, 305, Butler County (Kan.) C.C., Barnesville, Ga.:  

Is already enrolled at UAB and will participate in spring practice ... Brother of current UAB defensive lineman Earnest Respress... Was named first-team All-Jayhawk Conference as he registered 50 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks ... Originally signed with UAB in 2001 before going to Butler County.  

Kevin Sanders DB, 5-11, 170, Pell City.:  

Led the team in passes deflected with 10 and finished the season with 35 tackles ... Led the Panthers with over 1,880 yards of total offense and 18 touchdowns in 2003 ... Finished his high school career with 15-2 record as starting quarterback ... Averaged 14 yards per punt return in 2003.  

Jerrickus Speights DE, 6-5, 240, Gardendale.:  

Named to The News' 2003 Super All-State team ... Led the team in tackles as a senior with 146 ... Also had 14 sacks and 26 tackles for loss ... Was tabbed North Zone Player of the Year by The News ... Also saw time at tight end ... Was recruited by Auburn, Arkansas and Louisville ... Still must qualify academically.  

Todd Tate DB, 5-11, 175, Wheeler High, Marietta, Ga.:  

As a senior cornerback, tallied three interceptions, 28 tackles and 13 assists ... Also played quarterback, where he rushed for 456 yards and five touchdowns and passed for 521 yards and four touchdowns ... Was named to the Super 11 in Cobb County ... Voted first-team All-Cobb County by the Cobb County Touchdown Club.  

Shun Williams DE, 6-2, 225, Buford High, Buford, Ga.:  

Played both defensive end and tight end ... As a senior, he had 76 total tackles, including 42 solos and 34 assists ... Also registered seven sacks, seven tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 29 quarterback hurries ... Recorded two sacks and caught 9-yard TD pass in state title game.  

Chad Wilmott QB, 6-4, 215, Butler County (Kan.) C.C., Wichita, Kan.:  

Regarded among the top junior college quarterbacks in the nation and earned first-team NJCAA honors this past season ... Led Butler to a 12-0 season and the 2003 national junior college championship ... Threw for 2,284 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 163-of-308 passes with only eight interceptions ... Was named the Kansas Jayhawk Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 2003 and was tabbed most valuable player of the NJCAA national championship game as Butler defeated Dixie State (Utah) College 14-10.

Julius Wilson OL, 6-5, 310, Southwest Miss. C.C., Bradenton, Fla.:  

A highly regarded line prospect ... Earned first-team all-state honors for Southwest ... Attended high school in Bradenton, Fla., where he was a three-year starter ... Played in Georgia-Florida all-star game and scored on blocked field goal ... Chose UAB over Mississippi State and East Carolina ... Will have three years of eligibility remaining.

2004 Spring Look ahead:  

What needs working on ... Everything. UAB was totally average in every phase last year and needs something to be able to hang its hat on. This was a good enough team to beat Memphis and come within five points of Southern Miss and three of TCU and Georgia. If the Blazers can get a wee bit of improvement in all phases, this is a team potentially good enough to get to a bowl.  

The most important position to watch is ... Offensive tackle. Quarterback Darrell Hackney will be coming back from an injury and needs to be protected, while the running backs aren't good enough to make their own plays without decent blocking up front. The Blazers need help at tackle needing new players to shine all the while developing some depth.  

Spring attitude... What is this program going to be? Always good enough to be mediocre, UAB needs to use this spring to finally become a team that matter in the Conference USA race. How do the Blazers do that? They improve on the overall fundamentals to get better in every phase while gaining the confidence that only comes when an experienced team keeps working together.

[BULLO12]

Blazers Begin Spring Football Drills

Hackney among those returning to practice field

March 30, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team began its 2004 spring drills here Tuesday, working out for just shy of two hours on the Blazer practice fields. The practice was cut short slightly because of inclement weather, including some hail, that moved into the area.

"It was great to get onto the field," said head coach Watson Brown. "It's been a long while, so we were ready to get back out there. We've got a lot of players back, so we feel like we should have a good team in the fall. We've had good teams here, we've just got to stay healthy.

"We've had injury problems here for two years," said Brown. "We've got to work to correct that."

One of the players Brown was happy to see back on the field Tuesday was junior quarterback Darrell Hackney. Hackney missed the final five games of the 2003 season with a dislocated thumb injury but is fully healed and ready to participate full speed in spring workouts.

"Darrell has not played a full season yet for us because of injuries," Brown said. "We've got to find a way to keep him on the field."

UAB will hold its Blazer Day scrimmage on Saturday, April 17 before concluding its spring drills with three workouts the following week.

The Blazers open their 2004 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 4 when they play host to Big XII foe Baylor at Legion Field.

[BULLO12]

Quarterback Darrell Hackney returned to the field Tuesday after missing the last five games of 2003 due to injury.

One of the bright young standouts in Conference USA heading into the 2003 season … enters fall practice as the Blazers’ only experienced signal-caller … expected to contend for all-conference honors in 2003 … possesses size, arm strength and mobility to garner national attention in the coming season … in three scrimmages this past spring, he threw for 881 yards and seven TDs, hitting 53-of-80 passes (66.3 percent) ... battled through several nagging injuries in 2002 to have outstanding initial season for UAB.

2002: Took over the starting quarterback duties in the fifth game of the season and responded with 1,719 yards passing and 13 touchdowns in his eight starts … first start came against Memphis as he threw for 167 yards and a touchdown in win over the Tigers … also had 31 yards rushing and a rushing TD vs. Memphis overall, he threw for 1,977 yards and 14 TDs (only seven INTs) during the season … played in 11 of 12 games (sat out Pittsburgh contest due to injury) but only played about one-half of early contests vs. Florida, Troy State and Louisiana-Lafayette … finished the season with 1,977 yards passing and 14 TDs despite sharing duty in three games and missing the contest vs. Pittsburgh in Week 3 … was the No. 3-rated freshman QB in the country … tabbed 2002 Conference USA Freshman-of-the-Year by The Sporting News and earned spot on C-USA All-Freshman Team as voted by league’s coaches … was twice named Conference USA Offensive Player-of-the-Week during the 2002 season … shattered UAB Division I-A record Nov. 16 when he threw for 424 yards against East Carolina … his 424-yard passing performance was highest in Conference USA last season while his 94-yard TD pass to teammate Willie Quinnie vs. ECU was longest play from scrimmage in C-USA ranks in 2002 … threw for 329 yards and 3 TDs against Houston and had a 245-yard performance vs. Army, giving him three 200-plus yards passing performances during the season … connected on four touchdown passes in victory at Army, including three to wideout Willie Quinnie … also had season-high 25 completions (42 attempts) vs. Army.

2001: Redshirted as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Douglass High School in metro Atlanta where he was the catalyst of one of the top prep offenses in Georgia his last two seasons … passed for over 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in three seasons (1,500 yards as a senior, 1,240 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior) … was named honorable mention all-state by Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a junior and senior … led team to 8-3 finish his senior season … tabbed Atlanta City QB of the Year as senior … was named his team’s MVP as a senior … coached at Douglass by Michael Simms and Butch Climmons.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 7, 1983 at Atlanta … son of Teresa Wynn … a communications/broadcasting major.

[smazza]

baylor is playing UAB

hope UAB kills them

[BULLO12]

I will have to pull for Baylor...I wanted to be a Baylor Bear when I was younger.

[BULLO12]

Four-deep

03/31/04

TORAINE NORRIS

News staff writer

The UAB football team opened spring drills with something it didn't have all of last season - depth at quarterback.

With junior-to-be Darrell Hackney back on the field for the first time since injuring his thumb in October and junior college transfer Chad Wilmott on the field for the first time, the Blazers carried four quarterbacks into the first day of spring drills Tuesday afternoon.

That alone was reason for head coach Watson Brown to smile. UAB finished last season with just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster due to Hackney's injury and the departure of freshman signee Jake Tompkins during fall practice.

The situation was so bad that receiver Lance Rhodes, a quarterback in high school, saw significant time at the position the final two weeks of the season.

"We're a lot better there than we were a year ago," said Brown. "We've got four guys that have played a lot of football at quarterback."

The Blazers worked out for about two hours in shorts and helmets. Rain showers cut the practice short. UAB returns to the practice field today and Thursday.

Several Blazers were dressed but did not take part in the practice, recovering from injuries suffered last season. Brown said keeping everyone healthy this spring will be just as important as expanding the playbook on both offense and defense.

Thirty-nine Blazers have undergone surgeries over the past two years.

"We've got to rid ourselves of the injury bug," he said. "The team that stays healthy wins championship games."

Hackney was one of those players who has undergone surgeries the past two years. But Tuesday, Hackney looked crisp in passing drills and fully recovered.

"He looked good," said Brown. "He looked like he's never missed a beat."

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Wilmott also had a solid first day. While Brown did not say Wilmott is the heir apparent should Hackney go down again, it was clear with his signing that the coaching staff is expecting him to pull ahead of sophomores Chris Williams and Curtis Falany.

"He did fine for the first day, especially with the multiple of fense we run as a team," Brown said.

There was one notable posi­ tion change in practice Tues day. Receiver Jhun Cook has been moved to the defensive backfield.

"That's Jhun's natural posi­ tion and we're deep enough (at receiver) to do that with Jhun," said Brown.

[smazza]

baylor bears?

those chicken chit mothers

bullo you a baptist?

[BULLO12]

baylor bears?

those chicken chit mothers

bullo you a baptist?

Yes indeed.  Southern Baptist...Problem with that?

I always like the sound of the words Baylor Bears

[BULLO12]

UAB's Dudley out for spring semester

04/02/04

UAB junior running back Theron Dudley has been suspended from school this semester and is not practicing with the Blazers this spring, UAB head coach Watson Brown said Thursday. The 6-foot, 230-pound Dudley, a senior-to-be, is expected to return this fall, said Brown. Dudley's suspension is for academic reasons, Brown said. Dudley is the most experienced member of UAB's backfield. He rushed for 156 yards on 38 attempts this past season and scored two touchdowns.

The Blazers donned pads for the first time this spring on Thursday. Brown appeared pleased with the two-hour session, which ended with a 20-play scrimmage. All four quarterbacks saw action under center as did a number of running backs. Redshirt freshman tackle Jamarius Dismuke and redshirt sophomore guard Cornelius Rogers both saw action with the first-unit offensive line, which included Matt Batusic, Marcel Binion and Andy Galloway. UAB will not practice today. The Blazers will return to the practice field Saturday morning at 11.

[BULLO12]

Tests show no cancer in Sullivan

Heisman winner now an anti-tobacco advocate

04/03/04

TORAINE NORRIS

News staff writer

Pat Sullivan, the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback at Auburn and the offensive coordinator at UAB, said a scan Friday morning indicated all signs of cancer have left his body.

   

"I went to the doctor today, and I've had a complete response to the treatment," Sullivan said. "The doctors told me they saw no signs of cancer cells."

Sullivan was diagnosed with cancer last September after doctors found the disease at the base of his tongue and in lymph nodes in his neck. His cancer condition, known as squamous cell carcinoma, is serious, but there is a 65 percent to 70 percent recovery rate. Sullivan vowed shortly after the diagnosis that he would "whip" cancer and began chemotherapy and radiation treatments in December.

He continued coaching with the University of Alabama at Birmingham football team despite pain, discomfort and fatigue, missing only one game last fall. Doctors will continue to monitor Sullivan over the next five years.

The Birmingham native was the first player from the state to win the Heisman Trophy. He was awarded college football's most prestigious individual award in 1971 while quarterback at Auburn.

Sullivan's coaching career has included stops at Auburn, Texas Christian University, where he was head coach for six seasons, and UAB. Sullivan was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UAB in 1999.

Sullivan's battle with cancer has become a national story and has been featured in newspapers, magazines and sports television programs such as ESPN's Gameday. Sullivan used smokeless tobacco but quit in July 2003. Doctors have not said whether the use of smokeless tobacco contributed to the cancer, but Sullivan has since become an advocate against the product.

An outpouring of support for Sullivan in his battle with cancer has come from all circles. Fans as well as coaches from across the country have rallied behind Sullivan in his battle.

Among the coaches who expressed support for Sullivan were Alabama's Mike Shula, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer, former Florida and Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier and ESPN football analyst Mike Gottfried.

Sullivan thanked UAB head coach Watson Brown, his players, fans and his peers for their show of support.

"I really want to thank all the people for their thoughts and prayers," he said.

Sullivan, who has lost about 45 pounds and his hair, will continue to coach this spring but said he's still weakened by the treatments.

"It'll take a little while to get my strength back," Sullivan said.