UAB looking to overcome distractions, secure first conference win of the season

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - With everything surrounding Saturday’s homecoming game, interim head coach Alex Mortensen isn’t taking his eyes off the task at hand.

“This has been a strange week,” Mortensen told Jeh Jeh Pruitt Thursday during Good Day Alabama, noting his disappointment in the firing of Trent Dilfer. “The being said, we’ve got work to do and there’s a big game in front of us.”

That big game comes in the form of undefeated No. 22 Memphis, one of just two American Athletic Conference teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. In fact, Saturday’s edition of the Battle of the Bones is the first time in series history that either of the two teams have been ranked going into the game.

“Memphis is very good,” Mortensen said. “They’re undefeated, they beat Arkansas this year. They’re physical. They’re a tough team. They’re well coached.”

The Blazers lead the series 10-7 all-time since the two teams first played in 1997, However, the Tigers are on a three-game winning streak dating back to a 46-9 win in Legion Field back in 2012.

Memphis, ranked No. 16 in the nation in scoring offense and defense, comes to Protective Stadium as a 21.5-point favorite.

UAB meanwhile, is 0-3 in conference play and just has two wins on the season.

Mortensen, who will be making head coaching debut Saturday, says his messaging to the team remains the same.

“We keep going back to this - playing for each other,” he said. “I think we have a lot of seniors that are, you know, they have their last run of playing football. So, buying into playing for each other, playing for the guys that are on their last run, send them out the right way.”

The Blazers are not only celebrating the 9th game partnering with Children’s Harbor, but it’s homecoming week in Birmingham.

The party kicks off at noon Friday when UAB’s homecoming parade takes over the Magic City, starting on 14th Street South and ending on University Boulevard.

The Blazer Spirit Student Tailgate starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs through kickoff at 3 p.m.

“This is a homecoming game. We’re excited for the university, the alumni and to go play for those guys,” Mortensen said.

UAB and Memphis kickoff Saturday at 3 p.m. from Protective Stadium in Birmingham. Tickets can be purchased online and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

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