Steve Irvine’s Five Storylines FOR UAB vs Memphis
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - November 15, 2024
UAB VS. MEMPHIS
Site, kickoff time: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, 7 p.m. CT
Record: UAB 2-7 overall, 1-4 AAC; Memphis 8-2 overall, 4-2 AAC
Five storylines
1. What will UAB’s quarterback rotation look like on Saturday? Apparently, Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield is expecting a plan like last year when UAB head coach Trent Dilfer played Harrison Barker, Trace Campbell and Landry Lyddy at quarterback in place of injured starter Jacob Zeno. In fact, Silverfield said in his weekly press conference that “we assume we're probably going to see them all within the first half.” While it’s true that Zeno is once again out, don’t expect to see Dilfer and his staff shuffling quarterbacks into the game. This is Jalen Kitna’s show right now. Kitna averaged 42 passes per game in his five starts. Barker and Campbell have received a snap here or there – Barker threw a pop pass for a 20-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa – but it will look nothing like last year’s Memphis game.
2. How involved will Lee Beebe Jr. be in the offensive game plan? Last week, Beebe had 14 carries for 107 yards with a 25-yard touchdown run in the first half as the Blazers built a 20-3 lead over UConn. In the second half, Beebe was credited with three carries for 8 yards (he also had a 5-yard run negated by a holding penalty) and the Blazers were outscored 28-3 after halftime. What will UAB’s offensive game plan look like on Saturday? Beebe’s season totals include 119 carries for 599 yards, which is an average of five yards per carry. Memphis has been successful in stopping the run. The Tigers allow 116.2 yards per game on the ground, which is fourth best in the AAC. Beebe is also a capable receiver with 24 catches for 183 yards this season.
3. Can UAB not only keep it close, but ultimately find a way to win a tight game? Memphis has played four consecutive one-possession games. The Tigers are 3-1 in those games, including last week’s 27-20 victory over Rice. UAB’s 31-23 loss to UConn last week was the Blazers’ lone one-possession finish this season. UAB has been outscored 170-99 after halftime this season.
4. How effective will UAB’s pass rush be against one of the better quarterbacks in conference?Memphis allowed 15 sacks in the first 10 games. UAB has 16 sacks in nine games. UAB’s Desmond Little is leading the AAC with six sacks. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Little had two of those sacks in last week’s loss to UConn. The Blazers need to disrupt Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan, who is 246-of-388 for 2,691 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. UAB is fifth in the country in passing yards allowed per game (158.7). Memphis has one of the top receivers in the AAC in Roc Taylor (50 catches for 710 yards, 2 touchdowns).
5. Will the Battle for the Bones trophy stay in Memphis? The iconic trophy hasn’t been housed in Birmingham since the UAB football programs was in the old building. UAB hasn’t beaten Memphis since quarterback Jon Perry directed a stunning fourth-quarterback comeback in a 41-35 victory at Liberty Stadium on Nov. 12, 2011. Memphis recaptured the trophy the following November, held onto the trophy during a long break from the series and kept it with last year’s win at Protective Stadium.