My thoughts on the game...

[JasonB]

1) When looking at the total yard statistics, realize that UAB did a great job of shortening the game. They delayed every start of the football, let the clock run down. On defense, they prevented the big play to slow the game down. Their objective was to keep it close. Our total yards wasn't that good, but our yards per play was decent.

2) Martin and Fitz shouldn't have played, they obviously aren't healthy enough to help us out yet.

3) I thought Hudman made a terrific read on a pass breakup in the first half. The passes that used to be wide open - the out pattern/fly on the sideline between the corner and the saftey specifically - weren't there tonight.

4) Defensive line was excellent.

5) Most important point: we do a worse job on third/fourth and one than Switzer did with the Cowboys. If we had converted just half of those opportunities, we would have blown UAB out tonight. We really did move the ball well for most of the game. At first, I thought we were failing because we were running out of the pistol, which got blown up the last two weeks on 4th down and got blown up repeatedly in the first half last night. However, in the second half, we went two TE and STILL couldn't get the first down. The fact is, we are in no way a power running team. We are a passive running team. The pass HAS to set up the run. On third and short, we are going to have to line up in the shot gun and just let Willis do his thing. That is the best chance we have to convert.