Sept. 25, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team went through its final practice day on Thursday and finished preparations for the South Carolina game on Saturday afternoon. The Blazers practiced for just under two hours in just helmets and no pads.

"I thought we practiced good today," UAB head coach Neil Callaway said. "Everyone seems like they are on the right page and knows what they are doing. I feel good about where we are heading into this game."

The Blazers worked on South Carolina stuff the entire practice and fine-tuned their game plan for Saturday afternoon's final non-conference game this year. It marks the second time in school history the Blazers and Gamecocks will meet on the gridiron. UAB lost the only other meeting between the two schools, falling by a score of 42-10 on Sept. 20, 2003 in Columbia, S.C.

Callaway knows this is a big game for the Blazers, and senses his players' confidence growing, which is reflected in better practices.

"I think the attention and enthusiasm is very good," Callaway said. "We just have to continue to work hard."

Callaway also announced that the three captains for Saturday's game will be junior Jake Seitz on offense, sophomore D.J. Reese on defense and redshirt freshman Ugonna Amarikwa on special teams.

The game will be carried on the Blazers ISP Sports Network, WWMM 100.5 FM radio. David Crane will be on the air beginning at 4:30 p.m. CT with pre-game coverage. In addition to the radio coverage, the game will also be available on television through ESPN GamePlan.

In addition, the game will be streamed live nationally on ESPN360.com -- ESPN's signature broadband sports TV network. The game is available completely free to any student on campus (in fact, to any student on any U.S. college campus -- nearly 18 million people).