Memphis 38 UAB 13: Bones Return to Memphis in Battle

October 11, 2026

Tigers Score 28 Second-Half Points in Battle for the Bones Win over UAB

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (5-1, 2-0 American) football team regained control of the Battle for the Bones Trophy in a 38-13 win over UAB (3-3, 1-1 American) Saturday night inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Tigers found themselves in a back-and-forth affair early, answering UAB’s opening-drive touchdown one of their own coming on a 14-yard rush by Jaylin Carter in the first. Memphis’ defense shined early with turnovers on consecutive drives with a fumble forced by Jabari Ishmael and an interception by Dylan Smith. Smith’s interception helped Memphis gain its first lead of the game on a 33-yard make by Philippe Laforge.

Neither offense found the end zone for the remainder of the first half, but UAB connected on a pair of field goal attempts to go into the half with a three-point lead. After both offenses stalled in their first possessions of the second half, Memphis again relied on the legs of Carter, this time from 24 yards out to give Memphis a 17-13 lead just about halfway into the quarter. The Tiger offense extended the lead through the air on its next drive with Marcus Stokes finding Tychaun Chapman down the sideline for a 45-yard pitch-and-catch to go up by 11.

Going into the fourth quarter with momentum after a missed field goal by UAB’s Jonah Delange and another fumble, this time forced by J’Mond Tapp, Memphis took time off the clock with a drive eventually concluding with a one-yard rush by Hunter Tipton. Stokes then connected with Aidan O’Callaghan from 11 yards out to put the game even further out of reach at the eventual final score of 38-13.

Running back Jaylin Carter shined with his second career multi-touchdown and 100-yard rushing game, totaling 132 yards on 19 carries on a day while all levels of the Memphis defense had strong performances. On the line, J’Mond Tapp and Elijah Kinslereach had a sack, while linebacker Mike Montgomery had a team-leading nine tackles, Zach Ruffin recorded his first career sack and safety Dylan Smith picked off a pass for the third time this season.

UP NEXT

Memphis (5-1, 2-0 American) has a short week ahead, traveling down to New Orleans for a Friday night matchup against Tulane (2-3, 0-1 American) on Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.