BIRMINGHAM – UAB football coach Trent Dilfer said he’d welcome the opportunity to play Auburn, Alabama or other Power 5 schools during the spring.
Dilfer said that after being asked to respond to Auburn coach Hugh Freeze’s suggestion of Alabama and Auburn playing other schools instead of playing a traditional spring game. Freeze mentioned UAB, Troy and Alabama State as possibilities.
“Pretty, pretty, pretty please,” Dilfer said. “Yes, of course, he’s right. I think we all want, whether you are Auburn, Alabama (or anyone), you’re looking for live competition. You’re looking not to play yourself. I think if UAB or Troy are looking for people who are perceived to be much better than you, so you can use it as a test to see where your program is at.”
Hugh Freeze wants to scrimmage UAB or another team for a spring game. UAB coach Trent Dilfer loves it.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 4, 2023
"I was jumping out my skin like, yes! If (Saban) called tomorrow and asked if we wanted to get together to scrimmage, I'd get on the buses now and take the team to Tuscaloosa."
Dilfer used his daughters’ experiences as an example.
“My daughters were Division I volleyball players, they got to play spring matches against other teams,” Dilfer said. “It’s invaluable. My daughter early enrolled as a senior in high school, went to college her spring semester and was able to play in spring college volleyball games. It helped her become an all-conference player as a freshman.”
As of now, spring football scrimmages against other teams are not allowed in FBS or FCS.
UAB has never played Alabama on the football field. The Blazers only game against Auburn came on Aug. 31, 1996. The Tigers won that game, 29-0, in UAB’s first game as a Division I-A football team.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819News.com.
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