Yogi Bera probably would have described Memphis's loss thisweekend as deja vu all over again.
Much like last year's meeting between the teams, The Universityof Memphis spotted UAB a big lead, made a valiant run, butultimately came up short, losing 24-10 Saturday before a crowd of37,354 in the Liberty Bowl.
It was the fourth year in a row that Memphis was favored tow inand was upset by the Blazers.
Like last week, the Tigers allowed their opponent a substantialfirst half lead except there just wasn't enough offense to bringthem back this time.
"In the first half we were not sharp in doing what we'resupposed to do," Head Coach Tommy West said. "We have not been goodfor two weeks in a row now."
Memphis fans hoping to see the Tigers get off to a 4-1 startwere soon quieted by the play of UAB sophomore quarterback DarrellHackney.
He was harassed for much of the game by Memphis' front seven,but Hackney still completed 14-25 passes for 231 yards and twotouchdowns.
"Hackney is a great quarterback," senior linebacker DerrickBallard said. "A lot of times I thought we had him and he got awayfrom the pressure. He made some great throws on the run."
West said Hackney single-handedly pulled UAB out of some tightspots.
"(Hackney) made a lot of plays, just keeping the ball alive,"West said. "He was the best player on the field in the firsthalf."
On his first touchdown pass, the scrambling Hackney hit CedricHampton for a 2-yard score to put the Blazers (2-3, 1-1 inConference USA) up 10-0 in the second quarter.
Later in the half, Hackney rolled left to avoid several Memphisrushers and lofted a perfectly thrown pass to a Blazer receiverthat resulted in a pass interference penalty. The penalty set up a9 -yard run by Blazer running back Trey Chaney, which put Memphis(3-2, 0-2 in C-USA) in a 17-0 hole at the half.
While UAB was building their first half lead, the U of M offensewas sputtering.
The Tigers' offense combined for a total of 80 yards and fivefirst downs.
UAB had a single second quarter drive that totaled five firstdowns and 71 yards.
Memphis quarterback Danny Wimprine was just 8 of 15 for 35 yardsin the first half but rebounded in the second half completing 32 of42 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown, at one point completing 17consecutive passes.
The second half effort wasn't enough though.
"It wasn't anything (UAB) did," Wimprine said of the first halflack of offense. "We just had trouble getting anything going. Wecame up short (of getting a first down) a few times by a couple offeet."
While the offense struggled, the Tiger defense didn't fare muchbetter.
On the Blazers two first half touchdown drives, UAB converted onthird and long three different times.
In the second half, with the Tigers mounting a comeback, theTigers defense accrued four personal foul penalties. Two of thosepenalties were on UAB's lone touchdown drive of the secondhalf.
"You can't have stupid penalties," Ballard said. "Even ifthey're questionable calls, you just have to lay off."
Hackney took full advantage of the miscues.
He hit Nick Coon on a 57-yard fly pattern for a touchdown thatput the final nail in Memphis' coffin.
The drive was kept alive by a roughing the punter on fourth and15 that gave the Blazers a new set of downs.
Memphis had scored twice in the third quarter to claw back intothe game.
On the third quarter's opening drive, Wimprine guided the Tigers71 yards on nine plays. Wimprine hit Maurice Avery for a 23-yardtouchdown pass to make it 17-7. Avery and running back DeAngeloWilliams combined for 60 yards on the drive.
For the game, Avery caught a school record 13 receptions for 125yards and a touchdown.
Williams also collected his eighth career 100-yard rushing gamewith 15 carries for 107 yards.
After UAB scored to make it 24-10, Memphis threatened to scoreright back. The U of M drove into Blazer territory before aquestionable fumble call gave the ball back to UAB. Memphis neverthreatened again.
The Tigers now go on the road for their next three games,beginning with Mississippi State next week.
Derrick Ballard promises the Tigers will be ready to play
"This is a different team," Ballard said. "We're not going tobuy into the same old Memphis tradition. It won't happen thisyear."
