University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
UAB
Memphis Offense Explodes For 38 Points Against UAB
Oct 09, 1999 | Football
Oct. 9, 1999
By JOHN ZENOR
Associated Press Writer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Ryan White set a school record with five field goals, including four of more than 40 yards, to lead Memphis to a 38-14 win over UAB on Saturday night.
The Tigers, ranked 106th in Division I-A in total offense coming in, outgained the Blazers 337-202 in yards and scored a season-high in points. Memphis (2-4, 1-0 Conference USA) had lost four games by a total of 17 points to 1998 bowl teams while UAB (2-3, 1-1) had won two straight.
White had field goals of 47, 42, 31, 45 and 46 yards to tie a Conference USA record set by Tulane's Brad Palazzo against Louisville on Oct. 11, 1997. The sophomore booted four in the first half. He missed his final attempt, a 31-yarder in the third quarter.
Neil Suber hit Damien Dodson on a 19-yard scoring pass and Gerard Arnold scored on a 9-yard run for the Tigers, who also scored on a safety. Arnold's score was set up by a 29-yard pass from punter Jim Cande to Rashad Bailey on a fake. Jeff Sanders added a 7-yard scoring run with 1:15 left in the game.
UAB cornerback Rodregis Brooks picked up his sixth interception of the season in the third quarter but the Blazers gave it back with a fumble on the next play.
It was much of the same in the first half, with Memphis taking a 21-7 lead on White's leg and UAB's miscues. Memphis scored on a safety off a botched punt snap following UAB's first series and set up a touchdown with noseguard Marcus Bell's interception after a Daniel Dixon pass bounced off tailback Carl Fair's hands. The Tigers sacked Dixon six times for minus 50 yards.
UAB, which came in third nationally with a plus-8 turnover ratio, coughed the ball up three times.
The Blazers' running game was sporadic. After losing 20 yards on the ground in their first five series, they mounted a 14-play, 85-yard drive all on the ground. Fullback Cory Conley capped it with a 1-yard plunge.
Dixon added a 5-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter. The score was set up by a 39-yard punt return by Brooks, who came in leading the nation with a 23-yard average.
Dixon wound up 12-of-28 for 115 yards and was intercepted twice. Memphis's Suber was 15-of-36 for 162 yards with an interception.
