UAB Hosts No. 22 Memphis for 9th Annual Children’s Harbor Homecoming Game

BIRMINGHAM – Playing the 9th annual Children's Harbor Homecoming game, the UAB football team hosts unbeaten and 22nd-ranked Memphis on Saturday at Protective Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN2.

Saturday also marks the Battle For The Bones rivalry game. Regarded as the most unique rivalry trophy in college football, the winning team gets to keep the Bones Trophy until next year's game. Additionally, there will be a sanctioned BBQ Rib cook off outside of the stadium with 16 participating teams.

Who: UAB (2-4, 0-3 American) vs. No. 22 Memphis (6-0, 2-0 American)
Where: Protective Stadium – Birmingham Ala.
When: Saturday, Oct. 18 – 3 p.m.
Watch: ESPN2
On The Call: Matt Schumacker (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst), Tori Petry (sideline)
Listen: WJOX 94.5 FM | Sirius XM Channel 387
On The Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Bryant Turner (analyst), Landrum Roberts (sideline)
Series: UAB leads, 10-7
Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2024 – Memphis, 53-18

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Saturday is Alex Mortensen's first game as a head coach after inheriting interim head coaching duties this week with UAB parting ways with Trent Dilfer on Sunday, Oct. 12. Mortensen has been UAB's offensive coordinator since 2023 and currently has UAB ranked 57th nationally in total offense (406.5).
Leading the way is quarterback Jalen Kitna who ranks 2nd nationally in completions per game (26.8), 8th in passing yards per game (296.0) and 22nd in completion percentage (69.1). Kitna is having a standout year with 1,776 total passing yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Sophomore running back Solomon Beebe is also putting together a strong season and ranks 12th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (129.0). Beebe is coming off a game in which he led UAB in rushing and receiving while adding two touchdowns at Florida Atlantic. He has compiled over 100 all-purpose yards in five of six games this season.
UAB's offense faces a tall task this week against a Memphis defense that ranks 30th nationally in total defense (312.7), 16th in scoring defense (16.2), and 15th in rushing defense (88.0).
Offensively, quarterback Brandon Lewis leads an efficient Memphis offense that is 26th nationally with an average of 450.2 yards per game. The Tigers have been getting it done on the ground with an average of 238.7 rushing yards per game (10th nationally), and UAB's run defense will have to rise to the challenge. UAB allows 213 rushing yards per game, which is 130th in the country.
Lewis is a dual-threat quarterback that has thrown for 1,269 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding 425 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. His backfield mate, Sutton Smith, is fourth in the American with an average of 75.6 rushing yards per game and has six rushing scores.
UAB leads the all-time series 10-7, but its last win was a 41-35 victory at Memphis back in 2011. Memphis has won each of the last two games since the rivalry was reinstated in 2023, and three straight overall.

Following the Memphis game, UAB enters its second bye week of the season, then will travel to UConn for its final non-conference game of the season. The game against the Huskies on Nov. 1 is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

Tickets to the Memphis game can be purchased by clicking here.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

UAB Hosts No. 22 Memphis for 9th Annual Children’s Harbor Homecoming Game

Players Mentioned

Solomon Beebe

Jalen Kitna

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