UAB - SPRING WRAP-UP REPORT

[smazza]

good news for PS

4 deep at QB-toobad you can only play one at a time

[BULLO12]

A bigger, better Bo

Running back Moncur beefs up in bid to start

04/04/04

TORAINE NORRIS

News staff writer

Bo Moncur took a handoff in practice last week, ran to his right about 3 yards and was met quickly by at least four charging UAB defenders dressed in white jerseys.

Last year, Moncur would have avoided a hit like that. Not this spring.

   

Instead, Moncur lowered his head and plowed forward.

No dancing. No jukes. No fumbles.

No pain in the shoulder, either.

"I feel good right now," said Moncur, whose promising start to the 2003 season was derailed by a shoulder injury. "This is my first time taking contact. I feel about 95 percent."

It's been a while since Moncur was full speed. In fact, one would have to go back to the start of last season to see exactly what the Miami native can do on the football field when he's healthy. He started his career by rushing for 136 yards in the season-opener against Baylor, followed by a 78-yard effort against Southern Miss.

After two games, Moncur had rushed for 214 yards. But he was beginning to slow down. The constant pounding was taking its toll on a body that hadn't been used to all the college action he was getting. He began to fumble.

The injury bug also nailed him in the Blazers' Sept. 20 loss at South Carolina. He missed the next three games and never was the same.

Moncur, however, has discovered the solution to his injury problems. He needed more weight. He's 10 pounds heavier this spring.

"I'm up to 205," Moncur said. "My goal is 220. You feel less of an impact when you have more weight on you. That's what I'm trying to rid myself of. I have more cushion now and that's what I needed last year."

Moncur's goal is to regain the starting running back job. Corey White is running with the first-team offense this spring and Trey Chaney has experience. Dan Burks, the leading rusher in 2000, is practicing but is limited.

Head coach Watson Brown said the running back battle is wide open.

"We've got good backs and we've got depth there, too," said Brown.

Moncur said he knows regaining his starting status won't be easy.

"I understand I have to work my way back up," he said. "Those guys went in and put in the work last year. They deserve where they are right now. I've just got to put in my work and see what I can do."

[BULLO12]

One of ESPN's Top 100:

98. Zac Woodfin, UAB, LB: Sideline-to-sideline guy is the nation's No. 2 returning tackler (behind ECU's Chris Moore).

[Guest bullman33]

Shame on you bullo!

baylor bears should be on the bad side of all bulls fans for EVER.  They along with EMU cost the bulls their first ever bowl trip.  WE definetly would have beat at least one, if not both of them.  Whats even worse with baylor is we already played them at their house.  To cancel a deal last minute after you got what you needed from another school is wrong.  Screw the bears.  GO UAB!

[BULLO12]

Hey hey hey...I was younger and innocent...****  probably 10 - 12 years old when I wanted to be a Baylor Bear.  

[Guest bullman33]

Times have changed, repent your sins and you can still be saved!  A true Bull can never admit to remotely liking the Bears, or for that matter, the gators, the flying dutchmen, the eagles (southern miss and ga southern) and the cardinals.  

[BULLO12]

No news to report

[smazza]

DID THEY PLAY THERE SPRING GAME YET?

[BULLO12]

Not yet.  It will be held on April 17.  This coming Saturday

[BULLO12]

UAB Football Team To Scrimmage Wednesday

Blazer Day set for Saturday at West Campus Field

April 13, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team will scrimmage Wednesday afternoon after a short workout Tuesday on the Blazer practice fields.

The Blazers, who will wrap up their spring drills next week, will hold their annual "Blazer Day" scrimmage this Saturday, April 17 at the UAB West Campus Field. The "Blazer Day" scrimmage will start at 12:30 p.m.

Later in the afternoon, the UAB baseball team takes on nationally-ranked Tulane for a 2:00 p.m. start at Young Memorial Field.

Admission is free Saturday for both the football scrimmage and the baseball contest for the Blazers. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. when the concession stands, merchandise tables, ticket office and interactive games will open.