After spotting Memphis a 17-3 lead in the 2nd quarter, the UAB receiving corps decided they might as well start catching a few passes (they dropped SIX in the first 20 minutes of the game) and QB Darrell Hackney began working his magic to bring the Blazers to within 20-17 at halftime. UAB got the ball to open the second half and began pounding the ball on the ground against Memphis's weird 2-4-5 defensive alignment. Junior running back Corey White had 92 yards in the third quarter and just gashed that alignment off-tackle for 9-10 yard gains repeatedly. UAB chewed up the clock and thoroughly dominated the second half, while super star HB DeAngelo Williams played the second half on a gimpy ankle that he turned in the second quarter and was not nearly as effective after that. DeAngelo di pop a 76-yarder down to the 1 yard line in the first quarter before being (Yes...that's right) CAUGHT FROM BEHIND by the Blazer's Carlos Hendricks.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Alabama-Birmingham Conference: Conference USA
Name Jersey# Height Weight Speed Position
Darrell Hackney 4 601.5 244 4.85 QB: Darrell was on a roll all night. He only threw about 3-4 passes off target, and one was intercepted. Everything else was on the money--though 6 drops hurt his numbers statistically. He was around 20 of 35 for about 330 yards, 4 TDs and 1 int. Showed his trademark mobility, and continues to display touch when needed, not something he did all the time in the past. His TD passes (3 to Reggie Lindesy) were amazing, pin point darts. POSITIVE
Dominique Cosper 21 511.0 190 4.60 S: Dominique showed up to play tonight and really did a good job in run support. He was in on 5 tackles, but did not do much in the passing game because he didn't see the ball much in the passing game. He has the look of a UDFA guy who will get cut in camp though, because he doesn't really excell in any one area. NEUTRAL
Larry McSwain 44 600.7 250 4.78 DE: Served one-game suspension for violation of team rules.
Reggie Lindsey 11 510.0 185 4.50 WR: After a crucial drop early, Lindsey and his WR mates really redeemed themselves after the first 20 minutes. Reggie showed more toughness than you would expect from a 185-pound guy. he went over the middle a couple of times and took big pops while still holding onto the football. Really saw his ups tonight. He was recruited as a KR, and still does that (though not like Ted Ginn or Devin Hester) but he has really flowered into a competent WR and shows good routes and the ability to make the tough catch in traffic. POSITIVE
College: Memphis Conference: Conference USA
Name Jersey# Height Weight Speed Position
DeAngelo Williams 20 510.0 217 4.49 HB: He was untouchable early, and then injured himself (ankle--which he had retaped and then went back in). He still was making the first guy miss repeatedly early on, and had one 76-scamper that showed his amazing burst and shiftiness at the line of scrimmage. He played with pain in the second half, but was missing his explosiveness and did not bust another long one. DeAngelo is going to finish his career 3rd or 4th ALL-TIME for NCAA rushing yards, but there are still some things that nag at me about him (which I have enumerated before)...I would not take him before the LATE first round (pick 25 or after) though he will probably go top 15. POSITIVE
Maurice Avery 1 600.5 210 4.52 WR: Maurice has been playing QB the past couple of weeks after both the Tigers' top two QBs went down with broken legs. I always liked Maurice as a receiver, but I was amazed with how well this guy has been able to pick up the team as a QB. He shows decent decision-making ability, throws as well as several other NCAA IA starting QBs I have seen this year (though he will never be an NFL starting QB), was a dual threat all night with his legs, runs pitch plays very well, and there was really nothing negative to be said about him other than he did not display good accuracy on his deep balls. The versatility (he might be a 4th QB at the next level while he learns a team's WR role) may bump him up a round, from the 7th-UDFA area to perhaps the 6th. 1 25-yard TD pass, 1 pick. POSITIVE
Carlton Baker 10 601.6 234 4.75 LB: Carlton certainly passes the eye test, and at times he plays up to what you see. At others he seems to just drift a long--like he is waiting for others to do the job. I would like to see this guy at his very best under a coach who knows which buttons to push. Looks like a 3rd rounder but plays like a UDFA at times. He is a solid run-stuffer, but doesn't show the loose hips for pass coverage, and doesn't look like a pass-rush threat at OLB either. NEUTRAL
Stephen Gostkowski 32 602.0 200 N/A K: Stephen looked good all night. His kickoffs were high and deep. He made 2 FGs in the first half (45, 27) and all his XPs. He should have had a crack at a 56-yarder before the half, which would have been huge for him if he had nailed it, as his career long is only 51 yards, and that hurts his draft stock. They wouldn't let him attempt it, though the announcers said he was nailing them from that distance in warmups. SLIGHTLY POSITIVE
Tim Goodwell 41 601.7 229 4.70 LB: Tim is just another guy. He is in there making plays in the running game--usually with help, but does nothing to make you think he has a home at the next level. He was slightly injured in the second half and went out. SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE
Marcus West 43 603.8 260 4.80 DE: Quiet night, and Marcus can ill afford those if he has any hopes of playing professionally. Only saw him standout once, and that is nowhere near enough. NEGATIVE
Wesley Smith 45 602.5 194 4.63 S: Wesley is a guy who we have ignored as a safety prospect to this point, but he showed again that we shouldn't do that! He makes plays all over the field, comes up and hits HARD in run support, shows enough speed to be a SS at the next level, and brings the hammer well enough for the job. I have never seen Wesley play a bad game. POSITIVE
Others: UAB's RB Corey White will not come out, but showed he has the potential to develop into a possible database guy for next year with 29 carries for 199 yards and a TD. Still, many backs would look better against the Memphis defense--especially in that alignment. CB Carlos Hendricks is a guy who will make our CB rankings next year. He's THAT good.
Note: Darrell gave both me and his mom a nice little birthday present with the fine play and the W...which puts UAB back into possible bowl contention, and pretty much knocks Memphis out of it.