The UAB football team opened fall camp last week in Birmingham and wrapped up its second week of practice Friday, ahead of the first scrimmage of the preseason. The Blazers continue preparations for the season opener, Thursday, Aug. 31, against North Carolina A&T at Protective Stadium.

Read more on UAB fall camp:

UAB football unveils new uniforms for 2023 season

‘Sense of urgency’: Ike Rowell parlaying impressive spring into fall intensity

‘Put it all together’: UAB’s Luke Jones laying early claim to vacant LG position

Here are some observations from the limited access period provided to the media:

— The Blazers wrapped up their 10th practice of fall camp Friday and are set for their first scrimmage Saturday at the UAB Football Operations Complex. UAB head coach Trent Dilfer emphasized gameday communication as the key goal of the scrimmage.

“What you’re looking for are specific things — energy running to the ball on defense and continuing their ability to get the ball back in key moments. Communication is a huge thing. You have a lot of different black jerseys out there substituting and you got to make sure to communicate personnel groupings, adjustments and formations and calls.”

“Offensively, we need to have a better operation at the line of scrimmage. We shift tempo so much and the ability to come out every single snap with that posture of attack is something I’m looking for. We got to finish better up front, both defensive line and offensive line, and their stamina still isn’t game ready.”

“Good decision-making is what this whole program is built on so we have to continue to make strides and make better and quick second or drive decisions. That’s coach and player. I got to make better decisions, I messed up a two-minute thing the other day so I got to be better at that too.”

— The social media account “Big Game Boomer” released yet another ridiculous list today and Dilfer came in at number nine on their “Top 50 Head Coaches that Would Win in a Fight” list. Dilfer was amused with the list and offered a jokingly brave challenge to those ranked above him.

“I’ll take any of those guys. I’ll take one and two together and three and four together. I’ll take 2-on-1. There’s nobody on that list that can whoop me, come on now. I wouldn’t want to fight Sam (Pittman), though, he’s a guy I’d rather go to a campfire and eat soup and drink a beer.”

— Senior safety Damien Miller was spotted running drills with the inside linebackers during the viewing period but the move is not considered permanent at the moment. Dilfer is pleased with Miller’s versatility and implied he could be used at both linebacker and safety this season.

“We’re not moving him to linebacker but he’s going to play linebacker and he’s also going to play safety. I think it’s an opportunity for him to showcase his versatility. Hybrids are really important in defensive football. Offensive formats, a lot of times, are based on who those people are — their body types and their skill sets. When you have hybrids that can play the physical linebacker game but also the athletic safety game, you’re a better defense. Damien fits that mold but it’s going to be a challenge and he knows it’s going to be a challenge. It’s a lot of learning but we wouldn’t ask somebody we didn’t think could do it.”

— Dilfer brought in guest speaker Jon Gordon for the team Friday and felt his message was received well by the team. Gordon is a New York Times best-selling author and has worked with such franchises and programs as the Log Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, University of Georgia and Clemson University.

“Jon was amazing, as usual. He’s one of the premier leadership and team-building coaches in the world. He was so relatable, he connected with our kids. It was more the connection, less the message, but the message was powerful. They were just all in and they hung on every word. I think it’s a really powerful message. He’s sharing one that I hope everybody gets to hear. One that I think really helped grow our football team.”