The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Take On Memphis In Final Home Game Of Season
11/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 19, 2010
Game Notes 
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team will close out its 2010 home schedule Saturday when the Blazers play host to Conference USA rival Memphis in the annual `Battle for the Bones.'
Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. CT at Legion Field as the two teams square off for a 100-pound bronzed rack of ribs that is passed back and forth between the winning school each year.
The unique trophy has been in Birmingham for the past year after UAB defeated Memphis, 31-21, last November at Liberty Bowl Stadium.
The theme of the trophy comes from the tradition of fine barbecue in both Memphis and Birmingham. The two cities are renowned for their high quality barbecue, which has become a part of the culture of the cities. In addition to the football game, there is also a barbecue competition for fans from each city to enter.
Twenty UAB seniors will be honored in pregame ceremonies as they prepare to play their final contest at Legion Field for the final time.
The Blazers (3-7, 2-4 C-USA) will be looking to bounce back after a pair of disappointing home losses to Marshall and East Carolina the past two week. UAB lost, 54-42, in a shootout at Legion Field last week.
Blazer quarterback Bryan Ellis threw for 418 yards -- a season-high for C-USA quarterbacks -- and five touchdowns in the loss. Ellis has increased his season totals to 2,331 passing yards with 19 touchdowns. Running back Pat Shed registered 309 all-purpose yards in the game to set a UAB record for a single-game as well as a season (1,735).
Visiting Memphis (1-9, 0-6 C-USA) is seeking its first conference win of the season and its first victory overall since the third week of the season when the Tigers defeated Middle Tennessee, 24-17.
Linebacker Jamon Hughes has been the individual standout for Memphis, leading first-year coach Larry Porter's team and is No. 3 in the NCAA in tackles (119). True freshman quarterback Ryan Williams has thrown for 1,575 yards and 10 touchdowns.
On the ground Gregory Ray has run for 617 yards and three touchdowns.
"Memphis is a very capable football team," UAB head coach Neil Callaway said. "They are a team that reminds me of Marshall. They have only won one football game, but at the same time, when you watch their film, you see a lot of ability there. So we are going to have to be ready."
Saturday's game will be the 13th meeting between the two schools. UAB holds an 8-4 lead in the series and won seven straight over the Tigers before Memphis' win in 2007.
Saturday's game will be carried live on the Blazer Sports Network, airing locally on 107.7 WUHT-FM. David Crane, John Whitcomb and Otis Leverette will call the action with the pregame show beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT.
