The Memphis Tigers are back on the road against UAB after two consecutive home games.

Tigers (4-2) are coming off a 31-21 loss to Tulane last week while UAB (2-5) just suffered a 41-20 defeat at UTSA. Memphis had to knock the dust off the old Battle for the Bones trophy after having possession of the prize since 2012.

Work to the Bones: A 26-year rivalry between Memphis and UAB returns

Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN2 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham will be the first game played in the rivalry, that dates back 26 years, since the Tigers beat UAB 46-9 on Nov. 17, 2012.

Here are some key stats and numbers for two teams that haven’t faced each other in 11 years.

Stat to know: Rushing defense

Only seven teams in the country are averaging more than UAB’s 202 rushing yards allowed per game this season. This week is perfect timing for Memphis to face one of the worst rushing defenses in the country.

Starting running back Blake Watson didn’t play the full game against Tulane last week and Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said on Monday that he is day-to-day.

Watson might play on Saturday but even if he doesn’t, the Tigers should be able to run the ball with Sutton Smith starting.

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Number to know: 3

The Memphis secondary had a few chances to come away with interceptions against Tulane. Defensive coordinator Matt Barnes counted three times when a Tulane pass hit a DB in the chest, and it wasn’t caught.

The Tigers have to capitalize on those opportunities if they happen on Saturday.

Stat to know: Time of possession

The Memphis defense was on the field for over 20 minutes in the first half against Tulane and that fatigue showed up in the second half. Part of that was because the offense didn’t create any sustainable drives until the last two series of the second quarter.

If the defense can get off the field on third down while the offense moves the ball, time of possession shouldn’t be a problem.

Number to know: 189

UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno has 189 passing completions, which is the fourth-most completions in the country. He also has the seventh-most passing attempts.

The Blazers are going to try and put pressure on the Memphis secondary all game with a quarterback who is completing 74.4.% of his passes this season. 

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Stat to know: Tackles for loss

UAB opponents have racked up 58 tackles in seven games played so far. The Blazers are only four tackles for loss shy of the 62 tackles for loss allowed by Massachusetts, the most allowed in the nation.

The Tigers, who are averaging 6.17 tackles for loss per game, could use that to their advantage in an attempt to create third-and-long situations.

Number to know: 19

The 19 fourth-down attempts tried by the Blazers are tied for the ninth most in the country. They’ve been successful on 10 of their attempts.

This makes it even more important for Memphis to force third-and-longs to limit the opportunities for UAB to try for a fourth-down conversion.

Teams haven’t been all that successful on fourth down against the Tigers anyway. Memphis opponents have only converted 3-of-10 attempts for a 30% success rate that is tied for the 13th-best defensive fourth-down percentage in college football right now.