|
|
 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE | |
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Ticker) -- The "Steel Shield" is in for a supreme test. Alabama-Birmingham coach Watson Brown will find out just how good his defense is Saturday when the Blazers visit fifth-ranked Florida State. The Blazers, who are hoping to contend for the Conference USA title this year, held opponents to 290 yards per game last season, good for 11th nationally, including just 83.5 yards on the ground. UAB has 10 starters back on defense, including everybody on the line, whose unit has earned the nickname "Steel Shield." But the Blazers do not see the likes of a Florida State in Conference USA, and Brown scoffs at the notion that the Seminoles are down this season. All he had to do was watch tapes of the Seminoles' 55-13 victory over Duke last week to conclude otherwise. "Every year, it's the same ones," Brown said. "Nebraska's going to be down this year, Florida State's going to be down this year. As soon as I put that tape on Sunday, I said to myself, "Yeah, they're (Florida State) really down.' They're just as good as they've always been." Florida State started slowly against Duke and actually trailed 6-0 after the first quarter. But the Seminoles erupted for 31 unanswered points in the second period, returning two blocked punts for touchdown. Freshman Chris Rix, replacing Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke, completed 9-of-18 passes for 135 yards and a pair of scores in his first collegiate start, while Nick Maddox rushed for two touchdowns. UAB also breezed in its opener, posting a 41-13 victory over Division I-AA Montana State, which suffered its 18th straight loss. Jegil Dugger rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown and Jeff Aaron threw for a score and ran for another for the Blazers, who tried to get their no-huddle offense tuned up for their first meeting with the Seminoles. UAB outgained Montana State, 428-155, in total offense. Florida State will be looking to extend its home winning streak to 36 games and its home unbeaten streak to 53 games.
|
