If you’re from Birmingham or Memphis, you know it’s never just about a football game. It’s about 100 pounds of bronze ribs. Seriously.
The UAB football vs Memphis tigers football rivalry, affectionately (and aggressively) known as the Battle for the Bones, isn't some corporate-sponsored marketing gimmick. It’s a deep-seated, smoky, high-stakes clash between two cities that take their BBQ and their college football personally.
Honestly, the most recent chapter in 2025 was nothing short of a fever dream. If you blinked, you missed a coaching change, a massive upset, and a goal-line stand that essentially broke the internet—or at least the Memphis side of it.
The 2025 Upset That Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s be real: nobody expected UAB to win this. Coming into the October 18, 2025 matchup, Memphis was ranked No. 22 in the country. They were riding a 10-game winning streak, the longest in the nation at the time. Meanwhile, UAB was a mess. They had just fired head coach Trent Dilfer and were walking into Protective Stadium as a massive 21.5-point underdog.
Basically, it was supposed to be a blowout. It wasn't.
Interim head coach Alex Mortensen, son of the legendary Chris Mortensen, stepped onto the field for his first game at the helm and somehow flipped the script. UAB didn't just win; they controlled the tempo. They outgained Memphis 470 to 362. They kept the ball for over 35 minutes. It was a clinic in "fanatical effort," which is exactly what Mortensen told his players to bring.
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The star of the show? Ryder Burton. Making his first collegiate start at quarterback, Burton looked like a seasoned pro. He finished 20-of-27 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Every single one of those scores went to Iverson Hooks, who had a career day with 11 catches for 172 yards.
Why the Finish Was Absolute Chaos
The final minute of that game was peak college football insanity. Memphis had the ball and was marching. Greg Desrosiers Jr. broke off a massive 41-yard run that looked like a touchdown. The stadium went silent. But wait—replay showed he was down at the one-yard line.
What followed was a "disaster class" in execution for the Tigers:
- First and goal from the one: False start.
- Second and goal: Another false start.
- Fourth and goal from the 11: Delay of game.
Memphis literally backed themselves out of a win. When AJ Hill’s final pass fell incomplete, the Blazers secured a 31-24 victory. It was only UAB’s fifth win over a ranked opponent in program history. For Memphis, it was a season-killer, likely costing them a shot at the College Football Playoff.
More Than Just a Game: The Ribs and the History
You can't talk about UAB football vs Memphis tigers football without talking about the trophy. The "Bones" is a 100-pound bronze rack of ribs. It represents the BBQ heritage of both cities. Since 2006, the winner gets to take that heavy metal meat back home.
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UAB currently leads the all-time football series 11-7. That’s a stat that usually surprises people who assume Memphis, with its larger profile, dominates the matchup.
Actually, UAB had a dominant stretch in the early 2000s, winning seven straight between 2000 and 2006. Memphis had a recent resurgence, including a 53-18 beatdown in 2024, but the 2025 upset proved that records go out the window when the ribs are on the line.
Key Players Who Defined the Rivalry
- Solomon Beebe (UAB): In 2025, he ripped off an 81-yard touchdown run, the longest in UAB history. He finished with 106 yards, becoming the first 100-yard rusher Memphis allowed all season.
- Seth Henigan (Memphis): A name Blazers fans won't soon forget. He was a cornerstone for the Tigers, though he didn't play in the 2025 upset due to graduation/eligibility.
- Iverson Hooks (UAB): His 2025 performance is legendary. Three touchdowns in a single game against a ranked rival? That's how you become a campus icon.
- Sutton Smith (Memphis): Even in the 2025 loss, he provided a highlight with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
People often think this is just a filler game in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). It’s not. Before UAB joined the AAC, this rivalry survived through conference realignments and UAB's program being temporarily shut down.
There's a genuine "hate" here. UAB fans often point to Memphis as their biggest rival—more so than Southern Miss or Troy. It’s about proximity, recruiting trails, and, yes, who has the better dry rub.
Memphis fans might claim they don't think about UAB that much, but the silence in the Liberty Bowl or the frustration after a loss like the one in 2025 suggests otherwise. The stakes are usually higher than just a "W." In 2025, the loss literally knocked Memphis out of the Top 25 and derailed a potential "College GameDay" visit.
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What to Watch for in the Next Battle
The next time these two meet in 2026, the venue shifts back to Memphis. You’ve got to expect a "revenge game" atmosphere.
Ryan Silverfield, the Memphis coach, admitted after the 2025 loss that they were "outcoached." That’s a heavy statement. Expect the Tigers to be much more disciplined next time around. On the UAB side, the question is whether Alex Mortensen can maintain that "fanatical effort" once he’s no longer the new, emotional spark under the interim tag.
If you're looking for actionable insights on this rivalry:
- Watch the line: UAB historically performs well as an underdog in this series. In 2025, they covered a +21.5 spread and won outright.
- Home field matters: While UAB has a winning record in Memphis (5-3), the home crowd at Protective Stadium has turned into a legitimate fortress for the Blazers during rivalry weeks.
- Check the QB health: This series is often decided by whoever is under center. In 2025, Memphis losing Brendon Lewis mid-game was the turning point that allowed UAB's defense to tee off.
Keep an eye on the schedule for 2026. The Battle for the Bones is officially back as a premier AAC fixture, and if history tells us anything, there’s going to be a lot of points, a lot of penalties, and one very heavy bronze trophy moving across state lines.