From the UAB board

[ponyte]

UAB safety Hiram Atwater is expected to play for the Blazers in Saturday's Conference USA opener at SMU.


Atwater, a 6-foot, 200-pound senior, was suspended for last Thursday's loss to Florida Atlantic for violating team rules. UAB head coach Neil Callaway said Atwater is reinstated for this week and Atwater practiced with the team on Tuesday.


Atwater was the team's leading tackler last year with 89 tackles and was a preseason All-C-USA selection in a vote of the conference coaches. He also missed spring practice for violation of team rules.

Callaway said his team had a sluggish beginning to Tuesday's practice in full pads.


"It got better as we went," Callaway said. "I don't know if it's confusion on SMU, a Tuesday practice or what it was. I'm disappointed with the way we started but pleased with the way we finished up."


Alos says Padron will be 100% Saturday.