A few minutes before
Memphis football takes on UAB at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday, the Tigers will honor 35 seniors who have made an impact on the program. The Tigers will look different in 2025. Memphis is losing more than 90 percent of its receiving production and will also lose record-breaking quarterback Seth Henigan. There are plenty of defensive stalwarts leaving, too. Star linebacker Chandler Martin will be honored during the Senior Day ceremony but has another year of eligibility. It's liable to be an emotional few minutes, but then there will be a football game to play. The Tigers (8-2, 4-2 AAC) will take on UAB (2-7, 1-4) and coach Trent Dilfer in the "Battle for the Bones" rivalry (7 p.m., ESPN2). Though Memphis is likely out of the AAC title picture, the Tigers can still get to a double-digit win season. Here's our preview of Saturday's game.
Memphis' senior class says goodbye
It's rare that Memphis has had the same starting quarterback for four straight seasons. Henigan, Memphis' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, will play his final home game on Saturday. So will offensive stalwarts Roc Taylor, Koby Drake, Brandon Thomas and Jonah Gambill, who have all been with the program for four or more seasons. There are plenty of seniors on the defensive side of the ball, too. Greg Rubin played as a true freshman and has been a starter for the better part of four seasons. Kobee Minor, AJ Watts, Matt Hudson, Javon Denis, Davion Ross and Patrick Lucas Jr. have all played major roles this year. "We've been through the ups and downs, out here competing on the field every day," Rubin said. "I had to learn so much from those guys, the back and forth we have, studying the film, talking about different looks at stuff. It's been great."
What is the Memphis-UAB Battle for the Bones rivalry?
The winner of Saturday's game gets the coveted 94-pound rack of ribs that serves as the trophy between these two teams. While some Memphis fans aren't a fan of the rivalry, players and coaches said this week they're excited to play for the trophy. Though Memphis is a significant favorite, the Tigers are down in the overall series, 10-6. That's because UAB won seven straight games in the early 2000s, denying Memphis great DeAngelo Williams a win against the Blazers. The two teams didn't play from 2012-22 because they were in different conferences, but UAB joined the AAC before last season and Memphis beat the Blazers in Birmingham last year. As is customary, there will also be a barbecue contest between teams from Memphis and Birmingham before the game.
UAB struggling under coach Trent Dilfer
The Blazers hired Dilfer, a former Super Bowl MVP, to be their coach in 2023. He had no previous college coaching experience and had been the coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville. It's been a rough start. UAB went 4-8 last season, including the loss to the Tigers. That was a chaotic game, where UAB played three different quarterbacks and had Memphis' defense guessing throughout the first half. But the Tigers figured it out in the second half and ultimately cruised to a 45-21 win. Memphis is a 14-point favorite for Saturday's game.
Memphis vs UAB score prediction
Memphis 42, UAB 17. The Tigers cruise to a blowout win to retain the "Battle for the Bones" trophy and send the Tigers' seniors out on a high note.
