UAB receiver puts on show

In only his third game ever at receiver, the quarterback turned wideout turned in an impressive performance, making seven catches for 144 yards. In his previous two games this season, Drake had three catches for a total of 28 yards.

The fact that it came against UA's Chris McAlister, who is considered one of the nation's best covermen, makes it all the more impressive.

"Sunday I went to church and I prayed and I got down on my knees," Drake said. "This has been something that I have been waiting for and something I knew I had the ability to do. I just give all the glory to God. He kept me strong and he kept me confident and he didn't let me give up."

At times it appeared that Drake was getting a little help from supernatural forces. In the first quarter with cornerback Kelly Malveaux all over his back, Drake made an incredible 38-yard reception that would eventually lead to the Blazers' first touchdown. Later in the fourth quarter, Drake out jumped McAlister near the 50-yard line for his seventh reception of the night.

"That big number 10 (Drake) was terrific," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "We haven't had a receiver do that in our secondary in a long, long time."

Drake, who spent the last three seasons as a backup quarterback before making the move to wide receiver during spring ball, said he felt he connected with UAB quarterback Lee Jolly.

"Me and Jolly, we work at it every week in practice," Drake said. "We try to have a connection between each other because I have been in his shoes and I know what he expects out of a receiver from being back in the quarterback position. We clicked tonight and we will continue to get better."

Drake was not only a favorite target for Jolly and backup quarterback Daniel Dixon, it appeared that he was the only target. Drake accounted for seven of the nine UAB receptions and 144 of the 165 passing yards. In fact, Drake accounted for 144 of the Blazers 208 total yards of offense.

As the game progressed, it appeared that a game inside of the game began to develop between Drake and McAlister and Malveaux.

Throughout the game, Drake would do a little talking after a reception and Malveaux would do a little dancing after breaking up a pass. On more than one occasion, McAlister and Drake scuffled after an incomplete pass. But at the end of the game, the words were nothing but compliments.

"They (McAlister and Malveaux) told me that they thought that I had made some good plays," Drake said. "I wish we could play those guys every week. They bring out the best in you."