Here are some notes in advance of Thursday night’s Memphis-UAB game, which will be carried by CBS College Sports:

*** On the road, big plays generate momentum. Memphis needs to become more effective throwing the deep ball. Only one receiver has caught a pass for more than 44 yards (53 by Maurice Jones).
And the Tigers would benefit from a huge return on special teams. Memphis, however, ranks 114th nationally (of 119 Division 1-A teams) in kickoff returns with an average of 16.1 yards per return. Punt returns haven’t been much more effective: 5.43 average, which ranks 99th nationally.

*** In each of the team’s past two losses at UAB, the Tigers have allowed 35 points. Both games were decided by a touchdown or less.

*** UAB’s rush defense is ranked ninth in Conference USA and its total defense is ranked 11th, allowing 466 yards per game.

*** Memphis likely will activate freshman running back Brandon Ross for the game with Charlie Jones, Curtis Steele’s backup, slowed by an ankle injury. Ross (6-0, 205) is from Alabama.

*** With solid back-to-back weeks running the ball, expect the Tigers to do more of the same against UAB. The Tigers are ranked second in C-USA in rushing at 190.2 yards per game. Steele, on whom a front-page feature appears in Thursday’s sports section, has had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, including a 203-yard effort last weekend against Arkansas State.

There’s been a buzz about the possibility of former University of Florida player Jonathan Demps joining the Tiger football program.

Demps, a 6-4, 225-pound linebacker, attended a late-night U of M workout Monday at the Murphy Athletic Complex with family members, but is NOT a part of the team. Demps is enrolled at the U of M as a part-time student and staying in Memphis with relatives.

If Demps, a highly recruited inside linebacker coming out of high school in Pensacola, Fla., were to meet eligibility requirements, he’d likely begin practicing with the team next spring and play defensive end. Demps played as a true freshman at Florida in 2005, but missed 2006 with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament.

Demps did not play last fall after being dismissed from the team in spring for violating team policy. Later in the year he was involved in an off-campus incident before the team’s appearance in the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl and charged with misdemeanor battery. He and Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham were charged with allegedly hitting a sub shop worker with a sandwich and empty cups.