The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB At Memphis Saturday Looking For Third Straight Win
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team will seek its third consecutive victory for the first time since the 2005 season Saturday when the Blazers take on the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m. CT and the game will be televised regionally by CSS.
The Blazers (4-5, 3-2 Conference USA) enter Saturday's matchup coming off back-to-back wins over UTEP (38-33) and Florida Atlantic (56-29).
Memphis (2-7, 1-4 C-USA) is coming off a 56-28 non-conference loss at Tennessee last Saturday.
For the fourth season in a row, the teams will be playing for a 100-pound bronzed rack of ribs in their game. The Blazers claimed the inaugural "Battle For The Bones" in 2006, but the Tigers have kept the trophy in Memphis the past two seasons.
The theme comes from the tradition of fine barbecue in both Birmingham amd Memphis. The cities are renowned for their high quality barbecue, which has become a part of the culture of the cities.
UAB will look to its offense to lead the way again Saturday. The Blazers are currently ranked No. 7 in the country in rushing (241.1 yards per game) and is coming off a 330-yard rushing performance and 622-yard effort offensively overall against FAU last weekend.
Quarterback Joe Webb is ranked No. 10 nationally in rushing at 122.9 per game and last week became the ninth QB in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
The Tigers also have a potent offense. Running back Curtis Steele leads the rushing attack and has 740 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. The wide receiver tandem of 6-4 Duke Calhoun and 6-9 Carlos Singleton have combined for 86 receptions, 1,212 yards and eight touchdowns thus far. With their size, the Tigers' duo presents matchup problems for any opponent they face.
UAB head coach Neil Callaway knows that despite Memphis' record, his Blazers face a tough assignment on Saturday.
"Memphis has had their struggles this year, but you couldn't tell it by watching the film," said Callaway. "I have had a couple coaches after watching the film come in and say, `how in the world have they not won more football games?' They are a very talented offensive football team. They have good receivers, good running backs and do a nice job with their offensive line.
"They are a physical football team up front with good speed. It's a game that is the 'Battle for the Bones,' which is big for us and our fans. We have lost it the last two years, and it's a game we desperately need to try and get for a lot of reasons. Hopefully we will have a good week of preparation and be ready to go come Saturday."
UAB hopes to continue a recent trend of success on the road in league play. The Blazers have won three of their last four C-USA games away from home, including the win over UTEP two weeks ago.
UAB leads the overall series with Memphis, 7-4, but the Tigers have claimed the last two games. Last season, Memphis edged UAB, 33-30, as Vinny Zaccario kicked a 25-yard field goal with only :02 remaining at Legion Field. UAB had won seven straight in the series before the Tigers' wins in the last two years.
The game will be carried on the Blazers ISP Sports Network and can be heard in the Birmingham area on flagship station WUHT-FM 107.7 with David Crane (play-by-play) and Jake Arians (color) on the call. The pregame show will begin 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
