Playing hard and being focused early will be a key for Blazers against Ole Miss

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team practiced for approximately an hour and a half Thursday morning in shorts and helmets. The Blazers (2-3, 2-1 C-USA) continued preparations for Saturday's matchup against Ole Miss (3-2, 1-2 SEC) by working out at Legion Field due to wet conditions at the UAB practice facility.

UAB head coach Neil Callaway was pleased with his team's efforts and energy level despite heavy rain throughout practice.

"Practice was good," Callaway said. "Obviously the weather was an issue and we were forced to come over to Legion Field. But, we were able to get in repetitions of the things we anticipate from Ole Miss, so hopefully it will pay off come Saturday."

The Blazers are heading into their first-ever meeting with Ole Miss coming off a bye week. In its last action, UAB defeated C-USA foe Southern Miss 30-17 at Legion Field on Oct. 1.

Callaway named senior C Jake Seitz as the offensive captain, junior DB Terrell Springs as the defensive captain and sophomore LB Drew Luker as the special teams captain for Saturday's matchup.

Junior tight end Jeffery Anderson talked about what it will take for the Blazers to beat Ole Miss.

"We have to go out and play hard," he said. "We have to get the offense and passing game going because that will be a big key for us in that game.

"I think the most important thing is for us to come out playing hard. In a lot of games we've come out sloppy and then we have had to try to fight back at the end. So I think it's good for us to come out hard right away," Anderson said.

The Blazers and the Rebels will kick off Saturday at 6 p.m. CT in Oxford, Miss. and Fox Sports South will televise the contest.