Tigers, Blazers are on upswing

■ Recovery paths similar

BIRMINGHAM — Sometimes the comparisons are forced, at other times they naturally align.

When the University of Memphis plays UAB in a Conference USA game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field, the similarities between programs under new management will be remarkable.

Both employ first-year, first-time head coaches. Memphis is led by Justin Fuente, a former high school quarterback from Tulsa who played at Oklahoma. UAB is coached by Garrick McGee, a former high school quarterback from Tulsa who played at Oklahoma.

In fact, Fuente and McGee were members of the same Oklahoma team, one coached by Howard Schnellenberger when Fuente was a freshman and McGee was a senior.

UAB and Memphis also are in the midst of lengthy futility streaks — the U of M will finish with a losing record for the fifth straight season, while UAB’s losing streak will reach eight years.

But in the waning weeks of each of their seasons, Memphis and UAB also are improving under their new leaders.

UAB has won two straight and, with some breaks, could be entering the Memphis game on a four- game win streak. Memphis is coming off a

37-23 victory over Tulane in one of the best overall performances by a Tigers team in several years.

Against the Green Wave, the Tiger offense produced 386 yards — its second-highest total of the season — and the defense limited Tulane to 291 yards while forcing a season-high five turnovers.

Fuente was hesitant to heap too much praise, bothered by the three turnovers the U of M committed against Tulane and aware of the improvements made by UAB in recent weeks.

“This game is important,” Fuente said. “We are playing a team that is playing really well and is building a program like we are.”

UAB upended a formidable Marshall team last weekend, defeating CUSA’s top-ranked offensive team, 38-31.

The Blazers held the Thundering Herd, averaging 543 yards per game, to a season-low 337 and were aided by running back Darrin Reaves’ 184yard effort.

“I think we are playing with a certain confidence level that you need in order to have success,” McGee said. “When you are developing like we are, it’s a process. The kids have to buy into the things the coaches are teaching on a daily basis.”

Memphis has gotten better play from its offense in the past two weeks, surpassing 300 yards in backto-back games for the first time this season. Quarterback Jacob Karam, a Texas Tech transfer, has gone 35-of-49 for 440 yards and three touchdowns during the two-game stretch.

“I think I’m learning how to prepare better,” Karam said. “And when I do that I feel more confident on game day. When you’re more confident as a quarterback you pull the trigger quicker.”