2008 UAB Blazers football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2008
Team=UAB Blazers


ImageSize =
Conference=Conference USA
Division=East Division
ShortConference=C-USA
CoachRank=
APRank=
BCSRank=
Record= 1-6
ConfRecord= 0–3
HeadCoach=Neil Callaway
OffCoach=Kim Helton
DefCoach=Eric Schumann
OScheme=Multiple
DScheme=4-3
StadiumArena= Legion Field
Champion=
BowlTourney=
BowlTourneyResult=The 2008 UAB Blazers football team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach is Neil Callaway, who is entering his second year at UAB. They play their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and compete in the East Division of Conference USA. They will try to improve upon a 2-10 record from the 2007 season.

All games are broadcast live on the UAB-ISP Sports radio network. The flagship is WWMM 100.5 FM in Birmingham, and this marks the first season for it serving as the flagship. The games are called by David Crane (play-by-play) and Jake Arians (color commentary), with Pat Green and Dan Burks as field reporters. Other UAB radio programming will be carried on WJOX 94.5 FM.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/genrel/081508aaa.html
title= Blazers ISP Sports Network Gearing Up For 2008-09 Season
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-20]

The team does not have a local TV contract, but their games will appear nationally on cable television five times—one on Raycom Sports, two on CSS, and two on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV).

Preseason

Recruiting

In what was the second recruiting class for head coach Neil Callaway, UAB signed 25 recruits.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/albr/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/08-fb-signees
title= 2008 UAB Football Signees
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-20]

College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Assily
position = SAF
hometown = Honolulu, HI
highschool = Costa Mesa (CA) Orange Coast CC
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 215
40 = N/A
commitdate =
scout stars =
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Anthony Barnes
position = DE
hometown = Hazlehurst, MS
highschool = Copiah-Lincoln (MS) CC
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 255
40 = N/A
commitdate =
scout stars =
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Josh Brinson
position = WR
hometown = Homestead, FL
highschool = South Dade Senior HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 165
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Rodell Carter
position = WR
hometown = Mount Pleasant, SC
highschool = Georgia Military College
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 220
40 = 4.48
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chase Daniel
position = SAF
hometown = Birmingham, AL
highschool = Hoover HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 190
40 = 4.52
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Nick Davidson
position = DT
hometown = Calhoun, GA
highschool = Calhoun HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 275
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = David Decordova
position = DT
hometown = Manhattan Beach, CA
highschool = El Camino College
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 280
40 = 5.10
commitdate = 12/16/2007
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Mark Ferrell
position = WR
hometown = South Boston, VA
highschool = Mississippi Delta JC
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 220
40 = N/A
commitdate = 12/17/2007
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tyler Fowler
position = OL
hometown = Carnesville, GA
highschool = Franklin County HS
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 290
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Elliott Henigan
position = DL
hometown = Atlanta, GA
highschool = The Lovett School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 240
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Andre Hicks
position = DB
hometown = Atlanta, GA
highschool = The Lovett School
feet = 5
inches = 9
weight = 165
40 = N/A
commitdate = 8/9/2007
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = David Isabelle
position = QB
hometown = Huntsville, AL
highschool = Johnson HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 185
40 = N/A
commitdate = 1/25/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Aaron Johns
position = RB
hometown = Thomasville, AL
highschool = Copiah-Lincoln (MS) CC
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 190
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 1/17/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jared Koechner
position = OL
hometown = Louisburg, KS
highschool = Fort Scott JC
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 285
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Drew Luker
position = LB
hometown = Sweet Water, AL
highschool = Sweet Water HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 180
40 = N/A
commitdate = 1/22/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Patrick Reynolds
position = DB
hometown = Dothan, AL
highschool = Northview HS
feet = 5
inches = 9
weight = 175
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kyle Roget
position = LB
hometown = Arlington, TX
highschool = Tyler JC
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 235
40 = N/A
commitdate = 12/2/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ryan Roget
position = OL
hometown = Arlington, TX
highschool = Tyler JC
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 285
40 = N/A
commitdate = 12/2/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Dominique Roulach
position = LB
hometown = Alexandria, VA
highschool = Coffeyville, Kan. CC
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 240
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2/6/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Daniel Seahorn
position = OL
hometown = Houston, TX
highschool = Tyler JC
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 300
40 = N/A
commitdate = 12/2/2007
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Terrell Springs
position = DB
hometown = Chester, SC
highschool = Chester HS
feet = 5
inches = 9
weight = 175
40 = 4.52
commitdate = 7/20/2007
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Lamanski Ware
position = LB
hometown = Lanett, AL
highschool = Lanett HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 205
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 1/23/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jarrell Watters
position = LB
hometown = Thomasville, AL
highschool = Thomasville HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 225
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 9/28/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kattrell Watters
position = LB
hometown = Thomasville, AL
highschool = Thomasville HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 235
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 9/28/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Daniel White
position = LB
hometown = Apopka, FL
highschool = Apopka HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 220
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 1/21/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit End
40 = yes
year = 2008
rivals ref title = UAB Commit List for 2008
scout ref title = UAB: Commits
espn ref title =
rivals school =
scout s =
espn schoolid =
scout overall = 105
rivals overall = 105
accessdate = 2008-09-20
bball =
collapse = yes

chedule

*UAB will face one pre-season AP Top 25 team.

CFB Schedule Entry
date = August 30
time = 3:00 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = no
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Tulsa
opprank =
site_stadium = Legion Field
site_cityst = Birmingham, AL
gamename =
tv =
score = 22-45
overtime =
attend = 19,672CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 6
time = 4:00 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = yes
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Florida Atlantic
opprank =
site_stadium = Lockhart Stadium
site_cityst = Fort Lauderdale, FL
gamename =
tv =
score = 34-49
overtime =
attend = 15,143CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 13
time = 12:34 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = yes
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Tennessee
opprank =
site_stadium = Neyland Stadium
site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
gamename =
tv = Raycom
score = 3-35
overtime =
attend = 98,205CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 20
time = 3:00 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Alabama State
opprank =
site_stadium = Legion Field
site_cityst = Birmingham, AL
gamename =
tv =
score = 45-10
overtime =
attend = 26,414CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 27
time = 7:00 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = yes
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = South Carolina
opprank =
site_stadium = Williams-Brice Stadium
site_cityst = Columbia, SC
gamename =
tv =
score = 13-26
overtime =
attend = 78,286CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 2
time = 7:00 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = no
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Memphis
opprank =
site_stadium = Legion Field
site_cityst = Birmingham, AL
gamename = Battle for the Bones
tv = CBS C
score = 30-33
overtime =
attend = 19,901CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 9
time = 7:00 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = no
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Houston
opprank =
site_stadium = Robertson Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename =
tv = CBS C
score = 20-45
overtime =
attend = 18,526CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 18
time = 3:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf = no
homecoming = yes
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Marshall
opprank =
site_stadium = Legion Field
site_cityst = Birmingham, AL
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 1
time = 7:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf = no
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Southern Miss
opprank =
site_stadium = M. M. Roberts Stadium
site_cityst = Hattiesburg, MS
gamename =
tv = CSS
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 15
time = 2:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf = no
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Tulane
opprank =
site_stadium = Louisiana Superdome
site_cityst = New Orleans, LA
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 22
time = 6:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf = no
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = East Carolina
opprank =
site_stadium = Legion Field
site_cityst = Birmingham, AL
gamename =
tv = CSS
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 29
time = 3:30 pm
w/l =
nonconf = no
away = yes
neutral =
rank =
opponent = UCF
opprank =
site_stadium = Bright House Networks Stadium
site_cityst = Orlando, FL
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = :Schedule Source: [http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/albr-m-footbl-sched.html 2008 UAB Blazers football schedule]

Game Summaries

Tulsa

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Tulsa
R1=7
R2=14
R3=14
R4=10
Home=UAB
H1=13
H2=9
H3=0
H4=0

The Blazers began their season at home against Golden Hurricane of Tulsa, but after taking a 13-7 lead after the first would fall by a final score of 45-22. UAB would score first on a 32 yard touchdown pass from Joe Webb to Frantell Forrest. Tulsa would respond with a 10-yard David Johnson pass to Jacob Collums, only to have UAB take a 13-7 lead on a 9-yard Jeffery Anderson touchdown reception. Tulsa would respond with a pair of consecutive touchdowns in the second to take a 21-13 lead before Forrest returned a kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown to bring the score to 21-19. A late 32-yard Swayze Waters field goal would give the Blazers a 22-21 halftime lead. However, UAB would not score again for the afternoon and lose by a final score of 45-22.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab01.html
title= Tulsa vs UAB (Aug 30, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-18]

Florida Atlantic

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=3
R2=14
R3=9
R4=8
Home=Florida Atlantic
H1=14
H2=14
H3=7
H4=14

The Blazers first road game of the 2008 season took UAB to Ft. Lauderdale, where they would lose too the FAU Owls in a 49-34 shootout. After going down 14-0 on a pair of FAU touchdown passes, UAB would score its first points on a 27-yard Swayze Waters field goal. The Owls would answer with a touchdown run early in the second in taking a 21-3 lead only to see the blazers respond with a pair of Joe Webb touchdown passes, 20-yards to Zach Lankford and 19-yards to Frantell Forrest, in closing the gap to 21-17. However, FAU would score once more before the half in taking a 28-17 halftime lead.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab02.html
title= UAB vs FAU (Sep 6, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-18]

The Blazers would open the third by scoring on a 2-yard Aaron Johns run only to see the Owls once again respond with another touchdown. After a late 43-yard Waters field goal in the third, UAB's final points would come in the fourth on a 10-yard Justin Brooks touchdown run.

Tennessee

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=0
R2=0
R3=3
R4=0
Home=Tennessee
H1=14
H2=0
H3=14
H4=7

Traveling to Knoxville to face the Volunteers, all the Blazers could manage was a single 47-yard Swayze Waters field goal in the third to avoid the shutout in this 35-3 defeat. For the game, UAB was outgained on offense 275 to 548 total yards.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab03.html
title= UAB vs Tennessee (Sep 13, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-18]

Alabama State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Alabama State
R1=7
R2=0
R3=0
R4=3
Home=UAB
H1=14
H2=14
H3=14
H4=3The Blazers would amass 486 yards of total offense in winning their first game of the 2008 season with a 44-10 victory over the Hornets of Alabama State. UAB would strike first on a 41-yard Joe Web run with the Hornets responding in kind on a 39-yard Rei Herchenbach touchdown pass to Darius Mathis in tying the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter. The Blazers would regain the lead late in the first quarter, and never relinquish it again on a 24-yard Webb touchdown pass to Jeffery Anderson. In the second, the Blazers would add another pair of touchdowns on an 11-yard Rashaud Slaughter run and a 36-yard Webb pass to Anderson in taking a 28-7 halftime lead.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab04.html
title= Alabama State vs UAB (Sep 20, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-20]

UAB would continue to amass points in the third on another pair of touchdowns coming on a 6-yard Slaughter run and 15-yard Justin Brooks run in extending their lead to 42-7 entering the fourth. In the fourth, each team would exchange a pair of field goals in bringing the final score to 45-10. For the game, Joe Webb would rush for 121 yards and a touchdown and pass for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

outh Carolina

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=3
R2=3
R3=0
R4=7
Home=South Carolina
H1=10
H2=10
H3=3
H4=3

Traveling to face their second SEC opponent on the 2008 season, the Blazers were defeated 26-13 by the home Gamecocks in Columbia. After only connecting on a pair of Swayze Waters field goals in the first half, the Blazers lone touchdown came late in the fourth on a 1-yard Joe Webb run.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab05.html
title= UAB vs South Carolina (Sep 27, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-09-27]

Memphis

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Memphis
R1=0
R2=20
R3=7
R4=6
Home=UAB
H1=10
H2=6
H3=7
H4=7In the annual "Battle for the Bones", Memphis defeated UAB 30-33 on a Thursday night in Birmingham. The Blazers would get on the board in the first after Joe Webb connected with Mike Jones for a 16-yard touchdown reception, followed with an 18-yard Swayze Waters field goal to give the Blazers a 10-0 lead entering the second quarter. After Memphis scored early in the second, UAB would respond with a 9-yard Webb run to take a 16-7 lead. However this would be UAB's final lead of the evening as Memphis would score another pair of touchdowns in taking a 20-16 lead at the half. In the second half, Webb would score on runs of 12 and 10-yards in the third and fourth quarters respectively, but were unable to take the lead in falling by a final score of 30-33. For the game, Webb rushed for 93 yards and three touchdowns in addition to passing for 235 yards and another touchdown for the evening.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab06.html
title= Memphis vs UAB (Oct 2, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-10-04]

Houston

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=3
R2=17
R3=0
R4=0
Home=Houston
H1=0
H2=3
H3=21
H4=21In the first conference road game of the 2008 season, the Blazers would fall 20-45 at Houston. UAB would dominate the first half in taking a 20-3 lead going into the half. The Blazer would score on a pair of Swayze Waters field goals (50 and 23 yards respectively) and on a 3-yard Joe Webb touchdown run and a 21-yard, Zach Lankford touchdown reception. However, 42 unanswered Cougar points in the second half would provide Houston the 45-20 victory.cite web
url=http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uab07.html
title= Houston vs UAB (Oct 7, 2008)
publisher=University of Alabama at Birmingham Sports Information
accessdate=2008-10-08]

Marshall

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Marshall
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
Home=UAB
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0

outhern Miss

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
Home=Southern Miss
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0

Tulane

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
Home=Tulane
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0

East Carolina

Linescore Amfootball
Road=East Carolina
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
Home=UAB
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0

UCF

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
Home=UCF
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0

Personnel

Roster

Coaching staff

* Neil Callaway – Head Coach
* Kim Helton – Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends
* Eric Schumann – Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
* Corey Barlow – Cornerbacks
* Tim Bowens – Receivers
* Lorenzo Costantini – Defensive Line
* Steve Davenport – Running Backs
* Will Friend – Offensive Line
* Tyson Helton – Quarterbacks/Recruiting Coordinator
* Tyson Summers – Linebackers
* Steve Martin – Strength and Conditioning/Football & Baseball
* Ervin Lewis – Director of Football Operations

References