UAB head coach Trent Dilfer addressed the media Monday as the Blazers return home to Protective Stadium to face South Florida in the seventh annual Children’s Harbor game. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

See the full press conference video above.

Here is what Dilfer had to say in his weekly press conference:

— Dilfer started the presser by thanking Bill Clark and Mark Ingram for spearheading the Children’s Harbor relationship. Dilfer also got emotional when discussing the impact of Children’s Harvor, having lost his only son to heart disease at the age of five, and said that “it’s more than putting names on the back of jerseys” and that he “hurts for the parents because I lived it.”

— With 51 new players on the roster this season, Dilfer and his staff will speak to the team about what the tradition means and said that it “makes out 1-4 start seem menial.”

— Dilfer says he will meet with team leaders, who have been with the program for multiple years, to discuss their role in teaching the meaning behind the Children’s Harbor game.

— The Blazers will play on ESPN2 for a third straight week and Dilfer says the platform impact for the Children’s Game game will be monumental. Additionally, the exposure is helping with recruits as they “see our mentality and schemes and the effort.”

— Dilfer’s sideline tirade during the Tulane game, following an illegal substitution penalty on a fourth down, was widely criticized following the loss, despite other notable coaches being applauded for similar actions. Dilfer says he is a passionate coach but that he was “not proud of the moment.” He went on to say that his anger was not directed at any one coach, all 22 headsets received his fire-and-brimstone, but that it was “over the top.”

— UAB had its best day on the ground last week and Dilfer believes in running the ball effectively. He says “the only way to win games is to start and stop the run” and that his former teams were balanced between both the passing and running games.

— The offensive line saw the same starting lineup for the second straight week and Dilfer says they have “seven competing on a weekly basis” and that backup center Adam Lepkowski could be recognized as an eighth viable lineman.

— Although the defense still has problems stopping opposing rushing attacks, third-down defense has improved and Dilfer says the team is “learning the schemes and doing their jobs better.”