UAB Blazers

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Now this has to be the year. There have been some good UAB teams over the past few seasons, but none of them have been able to make enough of a splash to get to a bowl game or really scare anyone in Conference USA play. That should all change as this ridiculously experienced team, with 53 returning lettermen and only losing nine, has enough good players and depth to make an honest run at the title.

So what's missing? It could be the offensive line. It's the Achilles heel on a team with more depth than it'll know what to do with as only two starters return with no experience among the backups. If this comes together, there's no stopping the Blazer attack with players to step in everywhere if injuries happen to hit to go along with some excellent big-play prospects.

QB Darrell Hackney is the sparkplug who'll put up huge numbers with almost a dozen returning receivers to throw to. The defense will be interesting to watch with Zac Woodfin leading the league's best linebacking corps and a loaded line with everyone back. UAB is owed a break or three, but this team is good enough to make its own. Now it's time to actually make the next step that program has been trying to make for so many years.

The Schedule: UAB must win its opener against Baylor, or it could be a brutal start to the season. Missing Louisville is a huge break, but closing the year at Southern Miss makes up for it. There's no reason the Blazers can't beat Mississippi State, while surviving Florida State will be important with Memphis to follow.

Best Offensive Player: Junior QB Darrell Hackney. A right thumb injury was all that could keep the young star in check last year knocking him out halfway through. He's a great all-around player with a flair for the dramatic coming back from injury to lead the Blazers on a last minute drive to beat Baylor.

Best Defensive Player: Senior LB Zac Woodfin. Woodfin owns the UAB single season tackling records making 149 last year finishing second in the nation. Now he leads a loaded linebacking corps with three All-Conference candidates.

Key player to a successful season: It's all up to the offensive line. Guard Andy Galloway is a rock and center Matt Batusic has experience, but that's about it. It's a huge group with little to no game time as the difference between a bowl season and another near-miss.

The season will be a success if ... UAB gets to a bowl game. That might seem to be a modest goal for a team this loaded with veterans, but it'd be a great step for a program that's been so close over the last two seasons.

Key game: Nov. 13 vs. Houston. With a .500 season on the line, UAB got its doors blown off by the Cougars in the season finale losing 56-28. This year QB Kevin Kolb and the boys come to town for UAB's final home game of the season, and a must-win with Southern Miss still on the slate..

2003 Fun Stats:
- Sacks: UAB 23 - Opponents 14
- First quarter scoring: Opponents 72 - UAB 30
- Second quarter scoring: UAB 114 - Opponents 72
- Fumbles: UAB 30 (lost 15) - Opponents 18 (lost 9)


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