At halftime, the Memphis fans in attendance at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Oct. 10 could be forgiven if they were feeling a little bit of déjà vu.
Just like in 2025, the Tigers were down to UAB by three points at halftime. Just like 2025, Alex Mortensen and Ryder Burton had the Memphis defense seemingly on its heels. Just like 2025, Memphis' offense was uncharacteristically muted.
But this is a new team with a new coach and essentially an entirely new roster. They made sure history didn't repeat itself, using a much better offensive performance and a dominant defensive effort to win 38-13 and stay undefeated in American Conference play.
While it wasn't nearly as convincing as Memphis' last two victories, it was the Tigers' third straight win
since losing their only game of the season, against Boise State on Sept. 12. And it meant Memphis reclaimed the 94-pound bronze rack of ribs that serves as the trophy any time Memphis and UAB meet in the "Battle for the Bones."
Here are our takeaways from the win.
Memphis' passing game struggled early against UAB
In blowout wins over UT Martin and Charlotte, Marcus Stokes and the Tigers' passing attack had been appeared to take a clear step forward. But those games came against the two worst teams on the schedule, so it was hard to gauge exactly how much the Tigers had improved.
UAB came in with an elite pass defense, setting up a stiff test for the Tigers. And the Blazers held up for most of the game.
Stokes was 11 of 21 for 164 and two touchdowns on the night. He did enough to get Memphis the win, but it didn't feel like the passing game got into a true rhythm.
The Tigers were tested for the first time in a month
Memphis trailed at halftime and was tested for the first time since the Boise State game. It was a similar script to Memphis' first two games of the season, where the Tigers struggled in the first half against UNLV and Arkansas State but imposed themselves after the break.
The Tigers' defensive line again dominated down the stretch, and that'll likely be a theme the rest of the season any time an opposing team is trailing late and needs to move quickly in the passing game. But the Tigers did pass another test, and they did so with a trophy at stake.
UAB is clearly out of the American Conference gutter
For the first 2½ years of their time in the American, the Blazers were essentially a laughingstock. There were signs of life after Trent Dilfer was fired in 2025 (obviously starting with the upset win over Memphis that season). But UAB is clearly a much-improved team in 2026.
Dilfer's replacement, Alex Mortensen was inventive all night with his play calling, and the Blazers have a clear offensive identity in the run game. The defense struggled against Memphis' rushing attack and let go of the rope down the stretch, but the Blazers look like a much-improved team that could have a shot at getting to a bowl game in 2026.
Memphis is still a favorite to get to the conference title game
It wasn't even close to as straightforward a win as Memphis had over Charlotte to open conference play, but there aren't any teams in the conference as lifeless as the 49ers. And the Tigers did the most important thing — they went 1-0.
UAB looks like a middle-of-the-pack team in this conference. Memphis' next three opponents before an open week — Tulane, East Carolina and Army — are probably all in that tier as well. The Tigers will be favored in all those games and have looked like the strongest team in the conference alongside UTSA. Memphis and UTSA do not meet during the regular season.
Next up
The Tigers head to New Orleans to face Tulane on Oct. 16 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN). The Green Wave (2-3, 0-1) lost on a last-second field goal at Army on Oct. 10.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Our top takeaways as Memphis football beats UAB to reclaim 'Battle for the Bones'
