Gators go on hunt for 2-0 start against visiting Blazers

Sep 7, 2011 - 2:55 PM Gainesville, FL (Sports Network) - Fresh off an impressive showing in the season opener, the 18th-ranked Florida Gators will attempt to remain perfect as they host the UAB Blazers in a non-conference clash.

This game represents the season opener for UAB, a member of Conference USA. Coach Neil Callaway's Blazers were 4-8 last season, but that team was young and welcomes back many key contributors, especially on the defensive side of the ball. After this weekend's tilt, UAB will play two straight league tilts. The club will take on another SEC foe, Mississippi State, in early October.

As for the Gators, members of the mighty SEC, they lost five games last season, a far cry from the level of excellence established by Urban Meyer, a two-time national champion. The wildly successful coach walked away after the 2010 campaign, and the Florida brass decided that Will Muschamp, the defensive coordinator and "coach-in-waiting" at Texas, was the right man to take over. Muschamp's debut was a successful one last weekend, as his Gators stomped Florida Atlantic by a 41-3 final.

"It's exciting," Muschamp admitted. "The preparation I enjoy as much as anything. The game day coming out the tunnel and the excitement of running out onto the field, that's part of it, but for me it's about the players. I enjoy seeing everyone get ready, it coming down to game-time and finally getting out there to play."

Florida won its only previous meeting with UAB back in 2002 by a 51-3 final.

UAB generated 423 yards per game in 2010, and much of the production was attributed to the one-two punch of quarterback Bryan Ellis and running back Pat Shed. Ellis returns for his senior season after throwing for 2,940 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a junior.

"He did a lot of good things last year and there are some things he has to work on," says Callaway of Ellis. "Bryan's the kind of young man where you can tell him once and he is going to do what you asked him to do," said Callaway."

Shed ranked in the top-five in Conference USA in rushing with 847 yards and a 5.4 yards per carry average, but he may not be in action this weekend because of a hernia. If he does suit up, don't expect a heavy workload for the tailback. Ellis has returning targets in junior Patrick Hearn (35 catches, 536 yards) and Jackie Williams (30 catches, 327 yards), but both of those receivers are far more steady than spectacular.

UAB is proud to welcome back 6-4, 275-pound Eliot Henigan for his senior season along the defensive front. A First Team All-Conference USA pick in 2010, Henigan posted 15.5 tackles for loss in 12 starts.

At middle linebacker, junior Marvin Burdette will try to replicate his 2010 output when he registered 147 total tackles.

"I'm very excited to start the season. It's been a long spring and summer, and I'm especially excited because our opening game is at Florida," says Burdette.

Lamanski Ware is healthy for his senior season, and UAB is hoping to get the production he gave between the 2008 and 2009 seasons: 16 starts and 94 tackles. Jamie Bender had a First Team All-Conference USA year in 2010, garnering 94 tackles and 10 pass deflections in 12 starts. In all, the Blazer secondary will have seven players with starting experience patrolling against the Gators.

Against Florida Atlantic, the Gators posted 468 total yards. Chris Rainey totaled 146 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, while Jeff Demps ran for 105 yards and two scores. Rainey had 79 yards and 11 carries and a team- high 67 yards on six catches. He was the third FBS player in 1996 to score on a run, reception and blocked punt.

"You're going to see a lot of rushing yards this year, that's all I can really say," said the versatile Rainey. "We want to run the ball."

John Brantley completed 21-of-30 attempts for 229 yards and a TD for Florida, but he did throw a pair of interceptions. Brantley struggled under center last season, his first as a starter.

The Gator defense limited FAU to just 137 yards of total offense last week, including a mere 30 yards rushing on 30 attempts. They totaled 11 TFLs, the most by a UF defense since Sept. 29, 2007 vs. Auburn. Being a defensive coach, Muschamp has had tremendous input into Florida's revamped defensive scheme.