UTEP notes: UAB hoping to finish strong
While UAB is 2-5, there is precedent for a turnaround. Last year Southern Miss was 2-6 and on a four-game losing streak before rallying to win five consecutive games, including a New Orleans Bowl victory.
"Like coach said today, everyone's got their head hung," Blazers punter Trey Ragland said. "We've talked about how last year Southern Miss was the same way, but then came back and won five or six games straight. They became bowl eligible, won their bowl game and completely turned the season around. That's really our goal right now to bounce back and turn this whole thing around."
"It's like coach told us, the season's not over. There are still five games left, and all five of them are winnable games. But we could also lose all five of them, too. We have to cut out the penalties. We have a good shot of finishing upreally strong."
Odd start
With season-opening games against Conference USA West Division teams Rice and SMU, the Blazers were one of only two schools in DivisionI-A to open with back-to-back conference games. Miami actually opened with three consecutive ACC games.
The long run
UAB's longest run in school history, 80 yards, came this season when receiver. Mark Ferrell took an end-around for a score against SMU. This is UAB's 19th season of football and its 14th at the I-A level.
Webb at the top
Quarterback Joe Webb's 194 rushing yards in the opener against Rice was the most in C-USA history by a quarterback. He now has four of the top six
rushing games in league history by a quarterback, though UTEP fans will put an asterisk by that, as the list does not include James Thomas' 142 rushing yards against NMSU last season (he was listed as a receiver/quarterback, though all of his rushing yards were at quarterback).
Catching on
UAB receiver Frantrell Forrest has 103 catches and 1,318 receiving yards, ranking him fourth in receptions in program history. He needs 11 to move into third.
Stepping backward
After committing just three penalties last week, UTEP is all the way up to 106th in penalty yardage this season. That's 10 spots ahead of UAB.
"When you get penalized, it's hard on you because you start questioning your play," UAB defensive lineman Anthony Barnes said. "You're nervous about the next couple plays. Your mind goes, and you're not focused on the task at hand."
