Oct. 2, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team returns to Legion Field Thursday night as the Blazers play host to the Memphis Tigers in Conference USA action.

Thursday's game will be carried on the Blazers ISP Sports Network. It can be heard locally on WWMM 100.5 FM radio in Birmingham. The contest will also be televised nationally on CBS College Sports.

UAB (1-4, 0-1 C-USA) opened the season with a league contest vs. Tulsa (Aug. 30) but has played its last four against non-conference competition. Memphis (2-3, 0-2) began the season with three losses but has posted back-to-back victories in its last two outings.

UAB head coach Neil Callaway said his team is anxious to resume conference play. "To me, when you are playing at home against a conference opponent, that steps it up a little more than normal," said Callaway. "We need to win a game we are not supposed to. We are not supposed to win this one. It would be a good time to do that."

Memphis will enter the game with one of the league's high-powered and balanced offenses. the Tigers are currently ranked second in C-USA in rushing offense and is fourth in passing. Overall, Memphis is No. 3 in total offense. Running back Curtis Steele is coming off a 203-yard rushing performance against Arkansas State last Saturday.

UAB counters with the No. 7 offense in C-USA. The Blazers were stymied somewhat last Saturday at South Carolina as the Gamecocks held UAB to only 207 yards of offense, including just 67 on the ground. Conversely, the UAB defense has improved its play the past couple games. The Blazers have five interceptions in the past three games after producing none in the first two contests of the season.

"I think our defense has been playing fast lately," Callaway said. "The first two or three ballgames they played very cautious. Defense is all about swarming to the football. We didn't do that and now we are. Guys are playing faster, more reckless and with a little more confidence now."

As has been the case the past two times UAB and Memphis have played, the schools will be playing for the "Battle for the Bones" trophy when they play Thursday. Beginning with the 2006 game, the schools ushered in a new tradition when they began playing for a 100-pound bronzed rack of ribs.

The theme of the trophy comes from the tradition of fine barbecue in both Birmingham and Memphis.

Approximately 40 "teams" have entered the rib-cooking contest that will be held throughout the afternoon in Blazer Village and in the west side parking lot of Legion Field.