Well now, if you’re talkin’ ‘bout the Memphis Tigers and the UAB Blazers playin’ football, I reckon you’re in for a treat. Both teams been around a good while, and let me tell ya, they sure got a lotta folks watchin’ when they face off. Y’all know, the Memphis Tigers, they been doin’ their thing for many years now, always bringin’ the heat on the field. Then, there’s UAB, the Blazers. They got their own history too, and even though some folks might be scratchin’ their heads wonderin’ where they stand now, you can’t take away what they done before.
The last time these two teams met, on October 21, 2023, it wasn’t no small deal. Memphis pulled out a big win, 45-21, and it wasn’t no fluke neither. They had to overcome some struggles early on, but like a good ol’ country cookin’, they managed to turn things around and put it all together. They were able to force four turnovers, which really turned the game in their favor. Now, ain’t that somethin’ to be proud of?
Blake Watson over there for Memphis, he ran for 125 yards, and folks are still talkin’ about how he carried that ball like it was his last day on earth. When you got someone like that, it makes it easier to pull off a win, don’t it? Y’all ever seen someone run like that? It’s like they’re just faster than the rest, and that’s what Blake did. He kept them yards comin’ and made sure Memphis stayed ahead all the way through.
Now, talkin’ ‘bout the rivalry between Memphis and UAB, well, it goes back a long way, let me tell you. It all started with Gene Bartow, a man who coached Memphis State back in the 70s before movin’ on to UAB where he was head coach from 1978 to 1996. That man sure had a big hand in stirrin’ up the rivalry. He coached both teams, so folks always had somethin’ to say about it, especially since he spent so much time at both schools. And UAB, they sure respect him still. That’s why their arena is named after him, the Bartow Arena. You can’t forget about a man like that.
But you know, football’s a tricky thing. Ain’t always about wins and losses. Back in December 2023, UAB made a big ol’ decision to close down their football program. Now, I don’t know the full story behind all that, but I reckon it’s got somethin’ to do with money and how the whole athletic budget is lookin’. UAB president Ray Watts made the call, after havin’ a deep look into how they could keep up with the costs. They had to make a tough choice, and football just wasn’t gonna fit in no more. That’s a real shame too, ‘cause UAB had a good football program, and now, folks ain’t sure what’s gonna happen next.
But Memphis, they keep on rollin’, doin’ their thing, and with a big win over UAB, they’re sittin’ pretty. They’ve got a bright future ahead, and if they keep playin’ like they did against UAB, we might see more of them in the years to come.
Y’all might be wonderin’ how to catch one of these games yourself. Well, it’s easy enough. Just head on over to a ticket site, like Vivid Seats, and you can grab yourself a ticket to see the Tigers take on whoever’s next. Heck, whether you’re watchin’ from the stands or your couch, it’s always somethin’ to enjoy when Memphis is on the field.
So, next time Memphis and UAB face off, you better keep an eye out. You never know what might happen in a game like that. Football’s always full of surprises, and it ain’t over ‘til that final whistle blows.
Tags:[Memphis Tigers, UAB Blazers, college football, Blake Watson, football rivalry, Gene Bartow, Vivid Seats, NCAAF]