BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– Memphis outscored UAB 24-0 in the second half and earned a 45-21 victory over the Blazers on Saturday afternoon at Protective Stadium.
UAB (2-6, 1-3 AAC) put up 381 yards of total offense, but only managed 49 after time. Memphis (5-2, 2-1 AAC) forced four UAB turnovers with three interceptions and a fumble recovery, and turned those turnovers into 21 points which was the deciding factor in the game.
Redshirt junior Harrison Barker made his first career start in replacement of Jacob Zeno who was out today with a concussion. Barker led a three-quarterback system as he, Trace Campbell and Landry Lyddy combined to go 15-of-28 for 173 yards, two touchdown and three INTs.
Defensively, Michael Moore had a career-high 12 tackles, while Ike Rowell joined him in double figures with 10 to lead the UAB defense. Memphis running back Blake Watson had 21 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown and led the Tigers offense that had 193 rushing yards and 159 passing yards.
The Blazers scored on each of their first two possessions and led 14-7 after one quarter. On UAB’s first possession, Barker connected on a 32-yard strike to Tejhaun Palmer and the two-point conversion was good for an 8-0 lead.
After a Memphis score, Jermaine Brown Jr. tallied his AAC-leading ninth rushing touchdown of the season, bringing the score to 14-7 after a failed 2-point conversion. Brown had 83 rushing yards for the game.
The Tigers tied the ball game with 12:55 left in the half on a 7-yard reception from Seth Henigan to Brendan Doyle, and then took the lead with 5:45 left on a 36-yard interception which Malik Feaster returned for a touchdown, giving Memphis its first lead of the game at 21-14.
A 29-yard touchdown pass from Landry Lyddy to Bryce Damous brought UAB even with 2:45 left and the two teams went into the locker room all square at 21 apiece.
However, it was all Memphis in the third quarter as they outscored UAB 17-0 to take a commanding 38-21 lead. The Tigers punched in a 2-yard rush with 2:26 left in the contest for the final points of the game.
The Blazers enter their one and only bye week of the season and then return to Protective Stadium on Nov. 4 to host Florida Atlantic. Kickoff for that game time will be released this coming Monday.
