Coming off a 59-0 victory over Alabama A&M to open the 2022 season, Coach Bryant Vincent, outside linebacker Kyle Harrell and offensive tackle Sidney Wells addressed the media on Tuesday ahead of UAB's week two contest at Liberty.
THREE NOTES:
- The Blazers scored an FBS school record 59 points against Alabama A&M, and the 59-point margin of victory also marked a school record as Division I members. UAB dominated in all three phases and scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams all in the first quarter.
- The defense pitched its sixth shutout since returning to action in 2017 and looked impressive in doing so. UAB tallied three interceptions, three sacks, four TFL, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. The Blazers have finished top 20 nationally in total defense each of the last four years and look to get back into the top 10 where they ranked for three straight years from 2018-2020.
- Quarterback Dylan Hopkins finished 13-of-18 for 191 yards and a touchdown against Alabama A&M and added a rushing touchdown. Hopkins finished last year as the nation's eighth most efficient passer and had the second highest single season completion percentage (66%). He completed 72.2 percent against Alabama A&M and looks to keep that going against Liberty.
Opening Statement:
"First off, I'd like to thank the fans for coming out and giving us a great gameday atmosphere. It all starts with the Blazer Walk and we want the Blazer Walk to be a tradition to set the tone for the gameday atmosphere. We had a great crowd, our fans came out, our students came out. I think that was the first time our student section was packed and that was great to see and I greatly appreciate it. It's always great to start the season with a win, we were able to play a lot of different guys in the second half. I thought we played well in all three phases. We have a lot of things to clean up, a lot of things to get better at as we progress through this season going into Week 2. I thought our players played extremely hard. They played with passion, tremendous effort. We played with excitement, we played together, it was a great start to the season."
On the team's injuries heading into Week 2:
"We expect to be fully healthy. Trea Shropshire, Kadeem Telefort and Dewayne McBride all practiced yesterday."
On the benefits of getting extra rest:
"It was very beneficial to have the two extra days to heal up, to rest up, to really be able to self-evaluate our football team and know what we got to do moving forward."
On Liberty's offense:
"Hugh Freeze is one of the best play callers in college football. We've got our hands full with two dynamic running backs. They're explosive, they're fast, they're tough. We've got to be prepared for tempo, we've got to be prepared for both quarterbacks, tackle well, we've got to communicate well on the defensive side of the ball."
On the evolution and depth of offense:
"Everybody on this team has a role. If we can understand our roles, embrace our roles, be about the team, we can evolve, grow and develop into something special if we embrace that role."
LINEBACKER KYLE HARRELL:
On setting the tone on defense against Alabama A&M:
It was really important. We talked all week about forcing turnovers. It was something we talked about all camp, so to be able to do that early in the game and show how much we've been working on that was big."
On Liberty's two quarterbacks:
"They are different QBs, but they are both dynamic players so we are preparing for them the same way. They can both extend plays and make plays. Kaidon Salter has a lot of Malik [Willis] qualities, so we are preparing for that like we did last year and learning from some of the mistakes and getting ready to contain them."
On revenge against Liberty:
"We remember what happened last year. We just need to compartmentalize our feelings and go out there and play how we know how to play."
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN SIDNEY WELLS:
On returning from injury:
"Considering the adversity I had to go through, I knew my role when I went down, but it was tough considering I was so used to playing. Considering the adversity, I'm just grateful to be back. I can't really complain."
On the offensive line adjusting on the fly (specifically Trey Bedosky):
"Coach (Cam Blankenship) operates with our offensive line. He doesn't treat anybody different, he tells everybody every day 'this could be you.' The thing that Trey Bedosky does well is he pays attention, he knows exactly where to be, what to do. I felt like Trey was ready for the moment. Really anybody in the offensive line room can be ready for the moment."
On facing Liberty's defense:
"Based off of watching the film, the defense all around is amazing. Very talented group. They come off with speed, they have power, No. 11, No. 10, No. 91, No. 77, they get after it and we are going to have to bring it to them."
Original source can be found here.
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