09-06-2006, 06:22 AM
Per Steve Irvine, via Birmingham News:
Quote:Quarterback Sam Hunt will take the first snap for UAB in Saturday's Conference USA opener against East Carolina at 6 p.m. at Legion Field. But UAB head coach Watson Brown said Hunt has not permanently won the starting job over Chris Williams.
"Sam will go out there first, but that doesn't mean he's the starter," Brown said. "He's not, but he'll go out first for this game and Chris will come in about when Sam did last week."
Williams started in last week's 24-17 loss at Oklahoma. Hunt entered at the beginning of the second quarter and played all but the final UAB snap. Hunt threw for 149 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 65 yards. Williams threw for 20 yards and rushed for five yards.
Defensive end Larry McSwain, suspended by Brown for the opener, practiced with the first team defense on Tuesday. Brown said McSwain is expected to play against East Carolina.
"He's back," Brown said. "He's still got things to do for me. If he carries those out, he'll be in good shape. It's going to take a while. As long as he's on par with me, in the things I ask him to do, he's back in good graces on this team."
Adam Truitt worked with the first team at left tackle on Tuesday and is expected to replace Cornelius Rogers in the starting lineup.
"Adam played better than Cornelius so he got the start but Cornelius has also got a very sore ankle," Brown said. "It's a combination of both, but Adam deserves it."
Truitt will still be used at both right and left tackle.
Parker Mullins didn't punt or kick field goals on Tuesday because of a sore right knee. Mullins, who hurt the knee against Oklahoma, is expected to punt and kick this weekend against East Carolina. Running back Trey Chaney, who had knee surgery during fall camp, practiced on Tuesday and could be available on Saturday.
Team doctor Brenda Baumann, who was injured in a sideline collision on Saturday, was at practice on Tuesday with her right arm in a sling and a bandage on her left hand. UAB wide receiver Willie Edwards, the UAB player involved in the collision, stopped by to check on Baumann's health as he ran to a drill.
