2005 Blazer Outlook

2005 UAB FOOTBALL Blazers Have Lofty Expectations For 2005 As They Begin Play In New Conference USA

Contending for a conference championship and earning a second consecutive bowl berth are clearly goals of the 2005 UAB football team. With 58 letterwinners returning, including 16 starters, there is no question those goals are real- istic ones this fall for head coach and his Blazers. But while UAB has loads of experience back in the fold and should be deeper at most positions than it was a season ago, one cannot overlook the voids left by several key per- formers. The Blazers lost little in numbers from their 2004 7-5 team that earned the program’s first- ever postseason bowl appearance, but they lost plenty in quality. Only three offensive starters are missing from last December’s Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl team, but one of those is All-America wide receiv- er Roddy White. White became one of ’s top playmakers last season and in April, was a first round NFL draft pick (#27 overall) by the . White finished the season with 71 recep- tions for a Conference USA record and nation- leading 1,452 yards. He was on the receiving end of 14 passes from QB Darrell Hackney. His 121.0 receiving yards per game also established a C-USA single-season record. Attempting to offset the loss of White will be a formidable challenge for Brown and his staff, as will filling voids left at linebacker where all three starters, and the top two backups, were seniors in 2004. The trio of Zac Woodfin, a three-time all- conference selection (including twice as a first- teamer), Nigel Eldridge and Gaylon Black, accounted for 95 career starts and 850 tackles during their careers. Finding immediate help at the linebacker position arguably rates as the pri- mary question mark entering the start of 2005 preseason practice. The Blazers, no doubt, will also miss the services of placekicker Nick Hayes, a four-year starter who was a three-time Groza Award candi- date. Hayes finished his career with 57 field goals and 288 points — fourth all-time in Conference USA in both categories. Senior quarterback Darrell Hackney has proven himself as the Blazers’ team "Obviously, we have some question marks leader on and off the field. to get answered with the guys we lost," said Brown, who will be in his 11th season at UAB in the same. 2005, "but we have a really good nucleus back and this will "Nobody got hurt despite the fact we had a real physical be an older team with a lot of juniors and seniors." spring and the three question marks that I thought needed to Brown was pleased with his team’s spring practice and be answered, we got closer to answering — what we were the efforts to fill the missing pieces, but he knows when pre- going to do at linebacker, (receiver) Roddy White's position season practice begins in August, the objectives will remain and (kicker) Nick Hayes's spot,” said Brown. “I think that in all three of those, we've made some progress.”

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career. David Sigler (6-3, 250, So.) is expected to back-up Hampton. Whereas Roddy White was, without question, Hackney’s “go-to” receiver in 2004, the passing game this coming season will doubtless be managed more “by committee.” "We've changed some things a little bit in a philosophical way," Brown said. "Last year, we went at it with the approach of throw it to Roddy if they'll let us. If they won't, then take it some- where else. I think now, we've got to spread it all around as a starting point. So, Darrell has had to adjust to that and I thought he got better at it as the spring went on." Not only did the Blazers lose White from its 2004 roster, but also gone is the team’s No. 2 receiver, Bradly Chavez. Chavez, a senior in 2004, caught 24 passes with a pair of TDs last season. So, who will Hackney look to as his targets? Senior Reggie Lindsey (5-10, 185, Sr.) is certainly a candidate. Lindsey, who played his first season at UAB in 2004 after transferring from Southwest Mississippi Community College, made a big splash The tandem of Dan Burks (left) and Corey White (right) account- last fall, especially as a return specialist as he earned second- ed for more than 1,400 rushing yards and 12 TDs in 2004. team All-Conference USA honors. Lindsey recorded 20 receptions last season for 227 yards OFFENSE with four . Another likely target will be Norris Drinkard (6-0, 195, Jr.) who caught 23 passes for 265 yards and While losing a weapon the caliber of White will be felt by a pair of TDs in 2004. Carl Duncan (5-10, 190, Sr.) and Nick the Blazers, optimism is aplenty on offense. Quarterback Darrell Coon (6-1, 180, Jr.) should also see increased action at receiv- Hackney (6-1, 235, Sr.) returns for his senior season with 6,706 er. career passing yards and 49 touchdown tosses. Versatile Jhun Cook (5-11, 190, Sr.) returns to the wideout Playing his first full season as the Blazers’ signal-caller, position he played his first two seasons. Last year, Cook was Hackney connected for 3,070 yards passing with 26 TD passes. moved to defensive back and he played there in a reserve role. He hit on 55 percent of his passes while yielding only eight inter- The Blazers are in excellent shape at running back where ceptions. juniors Dan Burks (6-1, 218) and Corey White (6-2, 235) are UAB also should be stronger on the offensive line where back in tandem after combining for 1,469 yards and 12 touch- four-of-five starters return. Only Andy Galloway is missing from downs last fall. Burks was the starter in 2004, rushing for 880 the starting front at season’s end last fall. Senior center Matt yards and a 5.4 average per carry. White ran for 589 yards and Batusic (6-3, 300, Sr.) anchors the unit and could challenge for a team-best eight TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. all-conference honors. Cornelius Rogers (6-4, 320, Jr.) and Trey Chaney (5-8, 190, Jr.) provides depth at the running back Julius Wilson (6-5, 310, Jr.) are back at tackle with Quinton position. Chaney saw only spot duty last fall, but demonstrated Harris (6-4, 330, Jr.) returning at guard. Adam Truitt (6-3, 310, his capabilities in 2003 as a freshman as he ran for 479 yards So.) who backed up Batusic at center, is expected to move over and two touchdowns. to right guard to fill Galloway’s spot. The Blazers should also have some depth on the line as JaMarius Dismuke (6- 5, 320, So.), Marcus Lampton (6-5, 325, Sr.), Tommie Keys (6-1, 300, Sr.) and LaDarius Stanley (6-3, 300, Jr.) all return with some experience. Tight end Cedric Hampton (6-3, 275, Sr.) has- n’t been called upon fre- quently as a pass catcher, but when he has, he has made the most of the oppor- tunity with four touchdowns in 12 receptions over the past two seasons. Hampton Many observers feel this will be UAB’s best offensive line in school history, both from an experi- also has been a solid blocker ence and athleticism standpoint. Above (L-R) are senior center Matt Batusic, along with junior tack- for UAB throughout his les Cornelius Rogers and Julius Wilson.

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front. DEFENSE At end, junior Larry McSwain (6-1, 250) returns after burst- Defensively, the Blazers are hoping to improve from last ing onto the scene last season as he earned first-team All- season when they yielded 412 yards and 29 points per game, Conference USA honors. McSwain, a transfer from Jackson giving up too many big plays in the minds of Brown and defen- State, led C-USA and was among the national leaders in sacks sive coordinator Wayne Bolt. with 13. He also registered 18 tackles for loss while ranking No. If it all starts up front, then things are looking up for UAB’s 4 on the squad in tackles with 56. defense. Three of four starters return on the defensive line, The other starting defensive end is expected to be either along with an abundance of additional experience from their Jermaine McElveen (6-5, 250, Jr.) or David Miller (6-4, 265, Jr.). backups. They both saw extensive action in 2004 while splitting starting The only missing performer from 2004 who logged signifi- duty. McElveen a freshman All-American two years ago, gives cant playing time among the defensive front is Shamar Abrams. the Blazers another effective pass rusher. Miller saw most of the Abrams was a three-year starter at nose tackle for the Blazers starting action down the stretch last season and responded with and ranked sixth on the team last season in stops with 50. several solid performances. The Blazers have experience and talent back along the Tony Haynes-Dalton (6-4, 275, Jr.) and Kyle Bissinger (6- 3, 255, Jr.), a converted quarterback coming off a leg injury in 2004, provide backup help at end for UAB. Sam Williamson (6-5, 295, Sr.) returns as a starter at tackle after recording 30 stops and five tackles for loss in 2004. Sam Kendrick (6-5, 265, Jr.) is expected to back up Williamson. With Abrams gone, the Blazers are hoping Ernest Respress (6-5, 300, Sr.) will adequately fill that void. Respress has seen significant action each of the past three seasons and appears ready to step into a larger role. His brother, Clarence Respress (6-1, 300, Jr.), should be the back up at the nose tackle. Jason Hamlin (6-2, 280, Jr.), returning from injury, and Brandon Jeffries (6-4, 240, Jr.) also will provide depth on the defensive line for the Blazers. Last season, the starting linebacking trio of Woodfin, Eldridge and Black accounted for 228 tackles. The three players listed as projected starters at linebacker at the conclusion of spring practice combined for 19. While there is no disput- ing the experience the Blazers will lose in the depar- ture of the aforementioned threesome, Brown and defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt see a lot of potential in the players stepping into prominent roles. Likely, there will still be plenty of competition during preseason practice to determine playing time at linebacker as the 2005 season commences. Marcus Mark (6-2, 220, Jr.) will be one of those vying for action as will Mastaki Smith (5-11, 230), and a redshirt freshman Joe Henderson (6-2, 220), whose play caught the coaches’ eyes during spring drills. Jeffery Williams (6-0, 220, So.), Kris Guyton (6-3, 230, RFr.) and Taylor Ownby (6-1, 230, Jr.), who enrolled at UAB in January after transferring from Dixie State (Utah) Community College), also are expected to contend for playing time. Gerod Condry (6-2, 215, Jr.), who was switched from safety, and Blake Prime (5-11, 210, Sr.), another converted safety, will also look to see action at linebacker. The secondary lost one starter in Bobby Keyes, but has experience returning at every Defensive end Larry McSwain made quite an impact last season in his first position. The loss of Keyes will be offset by the season as a Blazer, leading Conference USA in sacks.

2005 UAB Football 23 2005 Blazer Outlook

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return of Carlos Hendricks (5-11, 190, Sr.). Hendricks was a starter for the Blazers in 2002 and 2003, projected again for that SPECIAL TEAMS role last season. There is no doubt the Blazers will miss the services of But injury cut his season short and he played in only one placekicker Nick Hayes, one of Conference USA’s most consis- game — at Florida State. With a medical redshirt year available, tent kickers over the past four years. Hayes re-wrote the record Hendricks is back for a fifth season and a lot is expected from book in virtually every kicking category and finished his career the Montgomery, Ala. native. No. 4 all-time in C-USA in points and field goals. The other corner could be Will Evans (5-9, 175, Jr.) who The starting kicker this fall is expected to be either Swayze became a starter when Hendricks went down with his injury. Waters (5-11, 170, Fr.), a highly-regarded prospect from Evans turned in a solid season for the Blazers as he was eighth Jackson (Miss.) Prep who also punted in high school, or Parker on the team in tackles with 49. He also was the UAB leader in Mullins (5-11, 180, Jr.), UAB’s starting punter. with two, including one for a touchdown (30 yards) The Blazers recruited Waters to come in and challenge in a Blazer win at Cincinnati early in the season. right away for the kicking job and that hasn’t changed. Mullins, Dominique Cosper (5-11, 195, Sr.) is entrenched at safety however, handled the placekicking chores almost exclusively after turning in a stellar 2004 season in which he led the team in during spring practice and performed in excellent fashion. Both Waters and Mullins are expected to compete for the kicking job when preseason practice begins in August. There is no disputing that Mullins will return as the UAB punter for the third consecutive season. He averaged 40.3 yards per boot last season. The Blazers return one of the league’s most exciting kick- off and punt return threats in Reggie Lindsey. Lindsey, who should be one of the team’s top receivers in 2005, was named second-team all-conference as a return specialist last season, his first at UAB. Lindsey averaged 25.5 yards on 22 kick returns and 10.1 yards with a touchdown on 24 punt returns. He returned a punt for a touchdown in the Blazers’ road victory at Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State and quickly made a name for himself among the top return special- ists in Conference USA. Lance Rhodes will be one of the primary contributors to assist Lindsey in the kick and punt return chores.

Two young defensive backs for the Blazers — Will Evans (left) and Brandon Register (right) made big contributions in 2004.

tackles with 102 and earned third-team all-conference recogni- tion. Cosper is regarded as the team’s hardest hitter among the defensive backs and the Blazers will doubtless look to him for an added contribution in 2005. Brandon Register (6-1, 190, Jr.) and Julius Wainwright (6- 2, 190, Sr.), both with an abundance of experience, are listed at No. 1 and 2, respectively, at strong safety following spring prac- tice. The Blazers are also expecting incoming junior college transfer Chris Felder (5-10, 185, Jr.) to make an early impact in the secondary. Felder was a highly-touted Alabama prep prospect two years ago and had two outstanding seasons at Butler County (Kan.) Community College. Felder most likely would see action at safety but he is regarded as versatile enough to play anywhere in the secondary for the Blazers. Durrell Fuqua (5-11, 175, So.) saw his playing time increase as the 2004 season progressed and he should see more time at corner in 2005. Carnell Williams (6-1, 205, So.), Todd Tate (5- 11, 180, R-Fr.) and Kevin Sanders (5-11, 185, R- Fr.) are three other young players who look to have bright futures for the Blazers. Reggie Lindsey, here returning a punt for a touchdown against Mississippi State, provided a boost to the UAB return game.

24208 2005 UAB Football Q & A With Watson Brown

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ed. We have got to improve our pass defense. I think linebacker is the critical position on the defensive side that must come through for us. I think we have good talent there; we will just see how quickly they grow up.”

(Assessing the offense) “Offensively, we had a really good year. Darrell threw for over 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns, only had eight intercep- tions. I feel like we really have a chance to be a good offensive team. The offen- sive line has four of five starters back. All of the running backs are back. “Obviously, the key guy we are miss- ing on offense is Roddy White. We will try to replace Roddy with the guys who played behind him. Nick Coon is one of those guys. We have moved Jhun Cook back from defense to offense to play that position. We think Willie Edwards will come back and help us. Those three (General comments on goals for 2005) have to step up, plus the guys that we It’s a brand new league — it’s still “We have some high goals. We want signed we are counting on to contribute. Conference USA but it’s a new league to improve on what we did a year ago and This year we will offset Roddy being gone with some new schools. We have division our team feels like we can. We finished by throwing the ball to more guys and the play — we play three teams on the other second in the league last season, we way we call the plays.” division. We are excited in a lot of ways were in the top 25 for awhile and we went — a good returning team and a new to our first bowl. We are going to have to (On replacing placekicker Nick Hayes) league that we are basically starting all do a lot of things well to improve on all of “We lost our kicker (Nick Hayes) who over with.” that. In order to get better from one year has been really good to us while he’s to the next your team has to get better. been here. We signed a freshman (On developments of spring practice) “There are question marks on our (Swayze Waters) who we are excited "I thought we had a real good spring, team that we have got to try to answer. I about, but Parker had a good spring punt- Nobody got hurt despite the fact we had a thought we were able to get some things ing and kicking. We will see how things real physical spring and the three ques- answered in the spring, but we still have evolve, but we feel good about both kick- tion marks that I thought needed to be to more to settle when we begin practice ers we have this season The kicker we answered, we got closer to answering — in August.” signed from Mississippi (Waters) is also a what we were going to do at linebacker, punter so we will have two guys on our (receiver) Roddy White's position and (Assessing the performance of the team that can both kick and punt.” (kicker) Nick Hayes's spot. I think that in defense last season) all three of those, we've made some “We played the run really well and (On expectations for 2005) progress. I also thought there was a lot of were one of the top teams in our confer- “We are excited and I think our expec- improvement by our returning players.” ence against the run. Our achilles heel tations probably a little higher now "We've changed some things a little was our pass defense. Part of it was that because of the success we have had and bit in a philosophical way. Last year, we we had two seniors (Carlos Hendricks the number of players returning. We think went at it with the approach of throw it to and Justin Whitmore) that we lost in the we have a chance to improve ourselves. Roddy (White) if they'll let us. If they first three games of the year. One of them To improve ourselves we have got some won't, then take it somewhere else. I think is back with us (Hendricks). I think Carlos pretty high goals. I think these kids think now, we've got to spread it all around as a has a chance to be a next level player if they can achieve the goals they have set. starting point." he works hard. We’ve got to start with our Again, other than linebacker, we are "Joe Henderson stepped up really secondary where we lost one corner but returning a lot of kids. Offensively, we well and Mastaki Smith and Marcus Mark we get one back. should be able to carry this a little bit fur- are probably the three that I would list as “Our defensive line is back. We lost ther. Darrell has a great grasp of what we the starting linebackers. But, I also one guy (Shamar Abrams) out of 10 that are doing now – he calls some of the thought all nine linebackers — meaning we played. The question marks on the plays long before they are even called, so we went three-deep at each of the three defensive side are at linebacker where we we are really excited about having him positions — all nine have a chance to help lost all three starters and two backups. back. The key to the offense will be the us win games. I was pleased with the line- We have 10 guys on scholarship at line- passing game and using more people. backer group and that's going to be a big backer and nine of them will be in spring It’s good times here — we are excited. key to our football team next year." ball. They are all very young and talent-

2005 UAB Football 25 2005 Blazer Notes

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Brown In 11th Season As UAB Head Coach UAB Passing Records Watson Brown will be entering his 11th season at UAB (1995- ) and his 21st over- Career Yards all as a head coach. Brown also serves as the Blazers’ athletics director. 1. John Whitcomb, 1992-94 ...... 7,420 During his tenure as UAB’s head coach, Brown has seen the program grow from 2. Darrell Hackney, 2002-04 . . . . .6,706 I-AA status in 1995 — his first season in Birmingham – to one now that is respected 3. Daniel Dixon, 1997-00 ...... 3,085 among the I-A programs across the country. 4. Lee Jolly, 1997-99 ...... 2,063 Last season, the Blazers achieved a previously elusive objective, earning the pro- 5. Jeff Aaron, 2000-01 ...... 1,963 gram’s first-ever bowl invitation. UAB played in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu last December 24th. Single-Season Yards Brown is 54-59 at UAB and 86-136-1 overall. Brown has been the primary archi- 1. Darrell Hackney, 2004 ...... 3,070 tect of the Blazers’ rise from a partial scholarship I-AA program to a full-fledged NCAA 2. John Whitcomb, 1994 ...... 3,031 Division I-A team with membership in a major football league, Conference USA. 3. John Whitcomb, 1993 ...... 3,012 4. Darrell Hackney, 2002 ...... 1,977 The Cookeville, Tenn. native is a 1973 graduate of Vanderbilt, where he was an 5. Darrell Hackney, 2003 ...... 1,659 outstanding quarterback for the Commodores (1969-72). The 2005 season is Brown’s 32nd in the football coaching profession. His previ- Career TD Passes ous stops as a head coach include Austin Peay State (1979-80), Cincinnati (1983), 1. John Whitcomb, 1992-94 ...... 53 Rice (1984-85) and Vanderbilt (1986-90). 2. Darrell Hackney, 2002-04 ...... 49 Before coming to Birmingham to assume the helm of the UAB program, Brown 3. Lee Jolly, 1997-99 ...... 17 spent two seasons (1993-94) as the offensive coordinator at the University of 4. Daniel Dixon, 1997-00 ...... 12 Oklahoma. 5. Jeff Aaron, 2000-01 ...... 11 Lindsey Debut A Success, Looks For More In ’05 Single-Season TD Passes When UAB recruited Reggie Lindsey in the fall of 2003, Watson Brown and his 1. Darrell Hackney, 2004 ...... 26 2. John Whitcomb, 1994 ...... 22 staff felt they were getting a return specialist who could make a quick impact with the 3. John Whitcomb, 1993 ...... 21 Blazer special teams. After the results of his first regular sea- 4. Darrell Hackney, 2002 ...... 14 son at the Division I-A level, there is no doubting Lindsey’s con- 5. Lee Jolly, 1997 ...... 11 tribution. Lindsey was one of the top return men in C-USA last sea- son, finishing with a 25.5 yards per return average on kickoffs and a 10.1 average on punt returns. Darrell Hackney Lindsey was named to the all-conference second team as Games with 225 or a return specialist. He ranked No. 18 nationally in kickoff return More Passing Yards average and was 50th in punt returns. 448 ...... at Tulane, 2004 Lindsey also was one of the team’s top receivers, catch- ing 20 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns. He had a 424 ...... vs. East Carolina, 2002 pair of TD receptions in UAB’s victory over TCU. 417 ...... at Hawai’i, 2004 398 ...... vs. Memphis, 2004 Blazers Look To Fill Void at Linebacker 337 ...... vs. TCU, 2004 One of the biggest question marks surrounding the UAB football team as the 329 ...... at. Houston, 2002 Blazers look to the 2005 season will be finding replacements for their starting line- 277 ...... vs. Cincinnati, 2003 backer trio of Zac Woodfin, Nigel Eldridge and Gaylon Black. 262 . . . . .vs. Southern Mississippi, 2003 Accomplishing this will be no easy chore for the Blazers as Woodfin, Eldridge and 262 ...... at TCU, 2003 Black combined for 95 starts in their careers. As a trio, they accounted for 850 tackles 248 ...... vs. Troy State, 2003 in their careers. Woodfin and Eldridge rank No. 1 and 2, respectively, on the all-time 245 ...... at Army, 2002 UAB tackle list. In addition, Woodfin was a three-time All-Conference USA selection for the Blazers, twice (2003 and 2004) earning first-team recognition. 238 ...... vs. Houston, 2004 The Blazers have several candidates to take over the linebacking duties this fall, 238 ...... at Baylor, 2003 including juniors Marcus Mark and Mastaki Smith, along with redshirt freshman Joe 234 ...... vs. South Florida, 2004 Henderson. 231 ...... at Memphis, 2003 McSwain Or McSack? Games with 3 or The Blazers may have lost the services of three starting linebackers from the 2004 More Touchdown Passes team, but defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt and the coaching staff are extremely 5 ...... vs. TCU, 2004 pleased to have among those returning junior defensive end Larry McSwain. McSwain 4 ...... at Army, 2002 made quite a name for himself in 2004 in his first season at UAB. A transfer from 3 ...... vs. Baylor, 2004 Jackson State, McSwain made a huge splash last season. 3 ...... vs. Memphis, 2004 McSwain ranked first in Conference USA and was among the national leaders in sacks in 2004 with 13 and was just one shy of the school single-season record held by 3 ...... vs. Houston, 2002 Bryan Thomas. McSwain had a season-high four sacks in the win over Houston in 3 ...... vs. East Carolina, 2002 November and recorded three against both Baylor and TCU. McSwain was the only sophomore to be named to either the C-USA first-team offense or defense.

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Plenty Returning On Both Sides For UAB In 2005 UAB To Be On National TV At Least Three Times The Blazers return the majority of their team from 2004 (58 The UAB Blazers are scheduled for national television at letterwinners and 16 starters); however, the minimal losses least three times during the 2005 season. The Blazers’ home include some key performers. Gone from last year are All- game against Southern Mississippi America Roddy White, a trio of starting lineback- on Friday, Oct. 21 is scheduled for ers (Zac Woodfin, Nigel Eldridge and Gaylon Black), as well as ESPN while the Tuesday, Nov. 1 con- record-setting placekicker Nick Hayes. test at Memphis is slated for ESPN2. In addition, the UAB game at Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 15 is Hackney Back As One Of Nation’s Best scheduled to be televised by CSTV. The Blazers’ season open- All-Conference USA quarterback Darrell Hackney returns er at Tennessee will be televised regionally by Jefferson Pilot for his senior season. Hackney enters Sports. 2005 with 6,706 career passing yards, 49 touchdowns and only 21 intercep- Roddy White Drafted In 1st Round By Atlanta Falcons tions. The sensational season turned in by Roddy White paid off Hackney is a three-time Davey for the UAB Blazer last April when he was O’Brien Award Candidate and also was chosen in the first round of the National tabbed this past summer to the “Watch Football League draft. List” for the 2005 Maxwell Award which White was the No. 27 selection over- is presented each season to college all as the Atlanta Falcons made him their football’s outstanding player. first pick of the 2005 draft. He threw for 3,070 yards and 26 After back-to-back seasons with 39 TDs in 2004 in his first full season as the receptions, White, no doubt, saved his Blazers’ signal-caller. Among returning best for last with his 2004 season. quarterbacks nationally, Hackney ranks sixth in passing efficien- White emerged as one of the coun- cy (146.6) based on 2004 final statistics. try’s best receivers last fall and was one of Hackney, if he stays healthy, will shatter virtually all UAB the top receiving threats in college football. passing records in 2005 as well as move up the ladder into the The Charleston, S.C. native caught 71 status of the all-time elite among Conference USA quarterbacks. passes in 2004 for a Conference USA- record 1,452 yards with 14 touchdowns. Hackney Year-by-Year He had 12 career touchdowns coming into Year G Att. Comp. Yds. Pct. TD Int. the 2004 campaign. White ranked No. 2 in 2002 11 293 149 1977 50.9 14 7 the country in receiving yards per game at 2003 7 209 106 1659 50.7 9 6 121.0 and was the only receiver in the 2004 12 358 197 3070 55.0 26 8 nation who averaged more than 20 yards Totals 30 860 452 6706 52.6 49 21 per catch who caught more than 60 passes during the season.

Blazers Coming Off First Bowl Appearance Conference USA Will Have A New Look UAB is coming off a season in which the Blazers played in Out with the old and in with the new. That certainly is the their first-ever postseason bowl game (Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl) case with Conference USA in 2005. and finished as Conference USA runners-up for the third time in Previous football members Louisville, Cincinnati, South the past six years. UAB had been bowl eligible twice previously Florida, TCU and Army have departed while the conference wel- (2000 and 2001) in its eight-year Division I-A history, but the comes new members Marshall, Rice, SMU, Tulsa, UCF and 2004 invite in Hawai’i was the program’s initial bowl. UTEP. During this first season of the new Conference USA, UAB UAB Running Game In Good Shape With Duo will play against four first-time UAB appears to be in a good shape at the running back foes: Marshall, Rice, SMU and position with an outstanding duo — Dan Burks and Corey White and UTEP. The Blazers have — both returning. Last season as sophomores, Burks and White twice previously played combined for 1,469 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging against UCF (their Nov. 12 opponent), those earlier contests 5.4 yards per rush. Individually, Burks tallied 880 yards with four coming during the 1996 and 2001 seasons. touchdowns while White totalled 589 yards with a team-high eight rushing touchdowns. 15th Season For Football, 10th Year In Division I-A UAB has a young football program compared to most of its Blazers Hoping For Better Second Half Results opposition. The Blazers went through their first intercollegiate UAB made a habit last season of getting off to a good start football season in 1991 as a member of NCAA Division III. in most of its games. More often than not in 2004, the Blazers The Blazers moved to Division I-AA two seasons later in outscored the opposition in the game’s first 30 minutes, often 1993 and remained at that level three years before making the with the benefit of big scoring plays. UAB outscored its oppo- transition to Division I-A beginning with the 1996 season. nents by a 236-126 margin in the opening half (20-10 margin). The 2005 season marks the 10th year for football at the I-A However, it was a different story after intermission as UAB level at UAB. was outscored by a 225-136 count (19-11 margin).

2005 UAB Football 27 2005 Blazer Notes

2005 UAB FOOTBALL UAB By The Numbers UAB’s Record Last Season The round that UAB wide receiver Roddy White was chosen last April in the When: 1 draft by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons made White their first selection with the No. 27 choice overall. At Home ...... 4-1 Away ...... 3-4 Where UAB’s White ranked nationally in receiving yards per game (121.0 Neutral ...... 0-0 2 In Day Games . . . .3-3 per game) last season. At Night ...... 4-2 Leads at Half . . . . .6-2 The number of first-time opponents on the 2005 UAB schedule. The Trails at Half . . . . .0-3 Tied at Half ...... 1-0 4 Blazers will line up against Conference USA new members Marshall, Rice, More Possession Time SMU and UTEP this season for the first time. Than Opponent . . .2-2 Less Possession Time Than Opponent . . .4-3 The number of touchdown passes thrown by UAB quarterback Darrell 5 Hackney vs. TCU last season — all in the first half of the Blazers’ 41-25 vic- UAB Scores tory over the Horned Frogs at Legion Field. 40+ ...... 2-2 30-39 ...... 2-0 The number of players UAB had selected to the 2004 All-Conference USA 20-29 ...... 3-2 10-19 ...... 0-0 8 team, including four first-team picks (WR Roddy White, OG Andy Galloway, Less than 10 . . . . .0-1 LB Zac Woodfin and DE Larry McSwain). First ...... 0-0

Opponent Scores The number of sacks recorded last season by sophomore Larry McSwain 40+ ...... 0-3 13 after he had four Nov. 13 vs. Houston. McSwain was the Conference USA 30-39 ...... 0-1 leader in sacks and was just one sack shy of UAB’s school record total of 20-29 ...... 3-1 10-19 ...... 3-0 14 set by Bryan Thomas in 2001. Less than 10 . . . . .1-0

Total Offense Quarterback Darrell Hackney’s NCAA rank in passing efficiency after last 500+ ...... 2-2 14 season concluded. Hackney had a rating of 146.6. 400-499 ...... 1-0 300-399 ...... 3-2 200-299 ...... 1-0 The number of years football has been an intercollegiate sport at UAB. The Under 200 ...... 0-1 15 Blazers have competed at the Division I-A level only since the 1996 season. More than Opp. . . .0-0

Rushing Yards Where return specialist Reggie Lindsey ranked nationally in kickoff return 200 or more ...... 1-1 18 average (25.5 yards per return). He was 50th in NCAA statistics in punt 150-199 ...... 2-1 return average. 100-149 ...... 4-2 0-99 ...... 0-1 The combined points UAB and Hawai’i accounted for in their Dec. 24 Passing Yards 99 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl matchup in Honolulu (a 59-40 Hawai’i win played at 200 or more ...... 3-4 150-199 ...... 3-1 Aloha Stadium). 100-149 ...... 1-0 0-99 ...... 0-0 The combined points UAB and Tulane accounted for in their Oct. 23 game Turnovers 114 in New Orleans (a 59-55 Green Wave win played at Tad Gormley Stadium), 3 or more ...... 0-0 the most scored by two teams in Conference USA history. 1-2 ...... 5-5 None ...... 2-0 The number of passing yards for QB Darrell Hackney in last season’s game Penalties 448 at Tulane, a career-high for the Atlanta native and the best in C-USA last 10 or more ...... 0-2 season. 5-9 ...... 5-3 0-4 ...... 2-0 More than Opp. . . .0-0 The number of passing yards amassed during the 2004 season by Blazers’ 3,070 quarterback Darrell Hackney, a figure that led all Conference USA signal- callers and also established a new single-season record at UAB.

28208 2005 UAB Football 2005 Blazer Notes

2005 UAB FOOTBALL

Hackney Tabbed To Watch List For Maxwell Award 2004 Blazers Featured Prolific Offense UAB quarterback Darrell Hackney was named this past This year’s UAB offense will have its work cut out if the summer among the 50 preseason Watch List candidates for the Blazers are to out-perform the offensive unit from last season. 2005 Maxwell Award. The good news is that almost every player is back from the 2004 The 69th Maxwell Award will be awarded to the nation's team that averaged 403 yards of offense per game, a Blazer sin- Collegiate Player of the Year. gle-season record. Hackney enters the 2005 season as Conference USA's UAB’s scoring average of 31 points per contest was the most prolific signal-caller and one of the best in the nation. The second-highest in school history but the highest in its Division I- native of Atlanta will head into his senior season with the Blazers A history. Only the 1992 Blazer team (32.4 points) averaged with 6,706 passing yards and 47 touchdown passes. He threw more points per game. for a UAB single-season record 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior in 2004 in leading the Blazers to a C-USA runner-up Blazers Notched Four Defensive/Special Teams finish and a berth in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. Touchdowns Last Season Hackney hit 55.0 percent (197-of-358) of his passes last UAB registered four defensive/special teams TDs during the season and recorded two games with more than 400 yards 2004 season. Two of the scores came in the season opener passing (448 vs. Tulane and 417 vs. Hawai'i). He had two other against Baylor when defensive end contests in which he surpassed the 300-yard passing mark (398 Kyle Bissinger recovered a vs. Memphis and 337 against TCU). and ran in from three yards out, and then LB Marcus Mark intercepted a McSwain Named to Watch List For Nagurski Trophy fourth quarter pass and ran in from UAB junior defensive end Larry McSwain is one of 50 31 yards for a touchdown. standout collegiate players named this past summer to the The third defensive score came Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List as selected by the Football against Cincinnati in October when Writers Association of America. cornerback Will Evans picked off a The Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player Gino Guidugli pass and raced 30 in college football, has been a part of the FWAA's awards since yards for a second quarter touch- 1993. It is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club with the down. Reggie Lindsey recorded a winner to be selected from the association's 11-man All-America special teams touchdown in the defensive team in late November. October victory at Mississippi State McSwain earned first-team All-C-USA honors after leading with a 67-yard punt return. the league in sacks with 13 and ranking third in tackles for loss UAB nearly had another defensive score vs. Southern Miss with 18. McSwain was the only sophomore to earn first-team in the regular season finale when the Blazers recovered a fum- honors on either the all-league offensive or defensive unit. He ble at the Golden Eagle 1-yard line. ranked fourth on the Blazers with 56 tackles, including 30 solo stops from his defensive end position. Three C-USA Runner-up Finishes In Last Six Years With last season’s second-place tie in the Conference USA UAB Has C-USA’s Third-Best Record regular season standings, UAB has now finished as league run- In Last Five Years ner-up in three of the six seasons the Blazers have been playing UAB has the third-best league record among Conference as a league football member. USA schools over the past six years. The Blazers’ mark of 25- The Blazers’ other second-place seasons were in 1999 — 18 against C-USA competition was third to only Southern Miss their inaugural season as a football-playing member — and in Miss (32-12) and 2001. now previous C-USA Records (Last 6 Years) member Louisville 1. Louisville 32-10 7. Tulane 14-28 Drinkard Hopeful Of Big Season (32-10). 2. Southern Miss 32-12 8. Houston 14-29 UAB junior Norris Drinkard enjoyed a breakout season in The remain- 3. UAB 25-18 9. Army 7-35 2004. Now, a year later, he’s hoping for bigger and better things ing records 4. Cincinnati 23-21 *TCU and USF have for the 2005 campaign. Last season, in among confer- East Carolina 21-23 been football members of his first action for the Blazers, the ence schools are Memphis 21-23 C-USA less than 5 years Dothan, Ala. native showed what kind as follows: East kind of multi-purpose threat he can be. Carolina (21-23), Cincinnati (23-21), Memphis (21-23), Tulane Drinkard caught 23 passes in 2004 (14-28), Houston (14-29), and Army (7-35). TCU only became a for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns. member of Conference USA prior to the 2001 season while He also was effective as a running back, South Florida became a football member prior to the 2003 cam- carrying 21 times for 156 yards and an paign. impressive 7.4 yards per catch average. He rushed for four touchdowns, giving ’05 Schedule Has Another SEC Foe On It him a combined six TDs on the season. For the fourth consecutive season, UAB will play an SEC Drinkard had a four-touchdown perform- opponent on its schedule. The Blazers open the 2005 campaign ance (3 rush, 1 receiving) vs. Tulane in with a game against Tennessee (Sept. 3) in Neyland Stadium. New Orleans last October. Drinkard finished the season as the UAB played the Vols once previously (1998). Blazers’ No. 3 rusher and receiver.

2005 UAB Football 29 2005 Blazer Notes

2005 UAB FOOTBALL

Eight Blazers Had Interceptions Last Season clusion of the 2004 season, had a stellar career with 57 career UAB’s nine interceptions were recorded by eight different field goals in 74 attempts, an accuracy rating of 77 percent. He players (Brandon Register, Marcus Mark, Justin Whitmore, Nigel finished with 288 career points. Eldridge, Will Evans, Bobby Keyes, Dominique Cosper and Demarcus Rodgers) last season. Corey White Usually Finds Paydirt However, all nine of UAB’s interceptions came in the first UAB running back Corey White had a knack last season for four games of the season. The Blazers’ last came finding the endzone. White, who was a sophomore in 2004, in the Oct. 2 game at Cincinnati. same as fellow running back mate Part of the reason for the drop off in picks for UAB can be Dan Burks, rushed for 589 yards attributed to the loss of two of the four starters in the secondary. this season on 106 carries. Both safety Justin Whitmore and cornerback Carlos Hendricks However, he rushed for a were lost early in the season with season-ending injuries. team-leading eight touchdowns on those attempts. Don’t think White Placekicker Situation Undecided As Camp Opens was a goalline-only, or two yards Much has been made of the Blazers’ personnel losses of and a cloud of dust, running back, receiver Roddy White, along with starting linebackers Zac however. The native of Bessemer, Woodfin, Nigel Eldridge and Gaylon Black. Those are large Ala. averaged an impressive 5.6 numbers, but all four of those players were key contributors to yards per rushing attempt. the UAB program in recent years. Another player who played a He will be counted on heavily role in success of the past several seasons was placekicker Nick again in 2005 when he again Hayes. Hayes, who finished his eligibility as well with the con- teams with Burks in the backfield. Notes On The “New” Conference USA FOOTBALL

■ 104 All-Time Bowl appearances (30 since 1994)

■ Since 1994, six schools have won at least one conference championship, with Marshall winning five MAC champi- onships and Southern Miss winning four C-USA titles. 1994) ■ Since 1995, realigned C-USA schools have posted at least ■ 8 Men's Basketball Final Four Appearances and One one non-conference victory over the following foes: Miami National Championship (Fla.), Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Kansas State, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Clemson, ■ 2002 NIT Champions (Memphis) and 2001 NIT Champions Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia. (Tulsa) ■ Since 1997, three schools have finished ranked in the Top ■ 42 NCAA appearances in Women's Basketball (30 since 25 of the final polls at least one time (Marshall, Southern Miss 1994) and Tulane). ■ 82 NCAA Appearances in Baseball (43 since 1994) ■ Realigned C-USA schools have finished ranked in the Top 20 of the final AP poll a total of 49 times since the poll began ■ 7 College World Series Appearances (2003 National in 1936. Champions - Rice) ■ Since the 2000 season, realigned Conference USA schools ■ 16 NCAA appearances in Volleyball in the last 10 years have combined to make 104 national television appearances. ■ 2 Softball College World Series Appearances ■ The realigned schools in Conference USA produced 83 players that appeared on the opening day rosters of NFL ■ 17 Men's Golf National Championships teams this past season. Included were pro bowlers such as QB Brett Favre, QB Duante Culpepper, WR Randy Moss, WR ■ 2 Women's Golf National Championships Isaac Bruce and CB Patrick Surtain. ■ 22 National Championships in Track and Field and OTHER SPORTS Cross Country

■ 108 NCAA Appearances in Men's Basketball (23 since

30208 2005 UAB Football All-Star Candidates

2005 UAB FOOTBALL

Matt Batusic opener ... recorded 10 tackles in Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl ... also 6-3 • 300 • Senior had one interception with a return of 41 yards. Center Hoover, Ala. Norris Drinkard 6-0 • 195 • Junior After playing backup role on offen- Wide Receiver sive line in 2002, Batusic assumed the important role of starting center Dothan, Ala. in 2003 … has now started 24 con- Versatile performer who made sig- secutive games over the past two nificant contribution to Blazers’ seasons … a former defensive line- offense in 2004 ... ranked No. 3 on man in high school, he switched to the team in rushing and receiving ... offense his redshirt season ... with looks to have increased role during the ’04 season, he became the vet- 2005 season ... excellent weapon eran of the offensive line … started all 11 regular season games as running back or receiver ... start- at center position for the Blazers, plus the Blazers’ bowl game … ed five contests ... caught 23 pass- a consistent performer for UAB on the offensive front ... became es for 265 yards with a pair of starter at center and became solid fixture on offensive line for the touchdowns ... also rushed 21 times for 156 yards and 7.4 yards Blazers in 2002. per carry average ... rushed for four touchdowns, giving him six combined scores ... despite narrow defeat at Tulane, Drinkard enjoyed an outstanding day as he scored four touchdowns Dan Burks (three rushing, one receiving) to tie a UAB single-game record 6-1 • 218 • Junior for TDs ... in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl, Drinkard had 94 all-pur- Running Back pose yards (36 rush, 58 receiving) ... caught five passes against Birmingham, Ala. Hawai’i in bowl game.

Returns for junior season as one of Darrell Hackney the top running backs in Conference 6-1 • 235 • Senior USA ... coming off outstanding sophomore season in which he Quarterback gained 880 yards and earned third- Atlanta, Ga. team all-conference honors ... after One of the top quarterbacks in the coming on scene in 2002, he was country ... on his way to re-writing hampered by injuries in 2003 and Blazers’ passing record books ... was redshirted … played in only three games in 2003 before has already been tabbed to Watch shoulder injury ended his season prematurely ... averaged 5.4 List for 2005 Maxwell Award ... list- yards per carry in 2004 ... earned third-team All-Conference ed as C-USA’s preseason all- USA recognition … split time with fellow RB Corey White … had league quarterback by many publi- a pair of games in 2004 with more than 100 yards rushing (146 cations … enters senior season vs. Memphis and 110 vs. Army) … tallied 55 yards rushing and just 714 yards shy of school record scored one TD in Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl ... also caught 15 pass- (7,420) career passing yards, set by John Whitcomb from 1992- es for 160 yards … had a long rush of 69 yards in season open- 94 ... ranks No. 11 all-time in Conference USA in passing yards er against Baylor ... has totalled 1,524 rushing yards during and is also 11th in TD passes ... threw for highest passing career. yardage total in Conference USA last season (3,070) ... tied for first in Conference USA in touchdown passes (26) ... ranked No. Dominique Cosper 14 nationally and No. 3 among C-USA quarterbacks in passing 5-11 • 195 • Senior efficiency (146.6) ... led C-USA in passing yards per game Safety (255.8) was tabbed to preseason “Watch List” for Davey O’Brien Award for second straight season ... tabbed to third-team All- Anniston, Ala. Conference USA team ... his 448 yards passing vs. Tulane were Has improved with each season at the most recorded in a single game during the 2004 season ... UAB ... was team leader in tackles in passed for 417 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Blazers’ 2004 with 102 stops and was named Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl game ... connected on 31 completions to the All-Conference USA third (54 attempts) in bowl game ... set a UAB single-season record team ... regarded by most as the for touchdown passes with 26 ... also threw for 398 yards and Blazers’ hardest hitter in secondary three touchdowns in Blazers’ win over Memphis ... threw 14 TD ... will contend for all-star honors passes to favorite target, Roddy White, during season ... named again in 2005 ... started all 12 Conference USA Offensive Player-of-the-Week following 35-28 games in 2004 ... caused a team- victory over Memphis ... one of only two sophomores named to leading four ... recorded double-digit tackles in five reg- preseason list for O’Brien Award in 2003 ... was on his way to ular-season games (Baylor, Florida State, Tulane and Southern outstanding sophomore season when his plans were derailed Miss) ... had season-best 12 stops against Baylor in season with season-ending thumb injury at TCU on Oct. 18.

2005 UAB Football 31 All-Star Candidates

2005 UAB FOOTBALL

Carlos Hendricks Larry McSwain 5-11 • 190 • Senior 6-1 • 250 • Junior Cornerback Defensive End Montgomery, Ala. Mobile, Ala. One of Blazers’ most experienced Played his first season at UAB in secondary performers ... has seen 2004 after transferring from Jackson action during career at both corner- State and had stellar campaign, back and safety positions … a earning first-team All-Conference tough, athletic cornerback with USA honors ... only sophomore last excellent speed ... has made 22 season to earn first-team honors on starts in UAB career ... was redshirt- the all-conference offense or ed in 2004 as he only played in one defense ... has two years of eligibili- game due to injury ... projected as ty remaining with the Blazers ... the starter at left cornerback heading into fall practice ... started picking up several preseason accolades, including being named 9-of-12 games for UAB in 2003, including the last four ... ranked 10th to the “Watch List” for the 2005 Nagurski Award which is pre- on the team and third among defensive backs in tackles with 53 (40 sented to the nation’s top defensive player ... vaulted himself into solo hits) ... had one interception during the season, that coming national prominence in his first season in I-A football as he against TCU ... a regular in UAB secondary in 2002, Hendricks start- recorded 13 sacks during the regular season, which ranked ed 10 of 12 games in 2002. fourth in the nation and was tops in Conference USA ... finished one sack shy of single-season school record held by Bryan Reggie Lindsey Thomas ... fourth on the squad with 56 total tackles, which 5-10 • 185 • Senior included 29 solo tackles ... his combined sacks and tackles for loss resulted in 158. Wide Receiver Pensacola, Fla. Cornelius Rogers After making quite an impact in his 6-4 • 320 • Junior first season with the Blazers, Lindsey will be counted on more Offensive Line heavily in 2005 ... named second- Birmingham, Ala. team All-Conference USA as a Seeing his third season of action at return specialist for the Blazers ... UAB after sitting out 2002 campaign ranked No. 2 in Conference USA in for academic reasons ... started 10 kickoff return average and No. 6 in games last season ... expecting punt return average ... the only another good season in 2005 and return specialist in Conference USA to rank among top six in could challenge for all-conference both return categories ... averaged 25.5 yards per kickoff return honors … was one of Blazers’ top and averaged 10.1yards per punt return ... ranked No. 18 nation- offensive linemen in 2004 ... helps ally in kickoff returns and was No. 50 in punt returns ... offensive- give UAB what many consider to be ly, he had 20 receptions for 227 yards and four touchdowns. the team’s most experienced and most athletic offensive line in school history ... started final 10 games of the season at left tack- Jermaine McElveen le and played in 11 games overall as one of the integral parts of 6-5 • 245 • Junior an explosive UAB offense ... saw limited action in reserve role on Defensive End UABˆs offensive front. Atlanta, Ga. Julius Wilson After an outstanding debut season 6-5 • 310 • Junior in 2003, McElveen had another Offensive Line solid season for the Blazers in 2004 Bradenton, Fla. … listed as starter at defensive end position ... saw action in all 12 Playing his second season at UAB games and started three … 29 total on offensive line and has already tackles, which included 18 solo made solid impact for the Blazers ... stops … had five tackles for a loss was starter for most of 2004 season and three sacks, good for third on and is listed as No. 1 right tackle the team ... started all 12 games for Blazers at defensive end in heading into the 2005 season ... 2003 ... named to Rivals.com Freshman All-America team and should contend for all-conference also tabbed to Conference USA All-Freshman unit ... ranked No. honors among Conference USA 6 overall for UAB in total tackles with 63, including 35 solo stops linemen ... transferred from ... also registered 6.5 tackles for loss and led the team in QB hur- Southwest Mississippi Community College ... earned first-team ries with 21 ... had three sacks and three tackles for loss vs. all-state honors for Southwest ... junior college teammate of Memphis. UAB teammate Reggie Lindsey.

32208 2005 UAB Football