Last Sunday, UAB fired third-year head coach Trent Dilfer after compiling a 9-21 record as the Blazers’ frontman. During his tenure, he never won a single road game and only defeated one opponent that
qualified for bowl eligibility.
Offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen claimed interim head coach duties, and his job was merely to keep the program afloat in the midst of turmoil. Mortensen’s first task was an arduous one, pitted against a No. 22 Memphis team that rode the FBS’s longest win streak at 10 games. But with an interim coach, a 94-pound rack of bronze ribs in the form of a rivalry trophy on the line, and a sense of belief, the unthinkable happened Saturday evening in Birmingham.
The 23.5-point underdog UAB Blazers spoiled the Memphis Tigers’ undefeated season in the Battle for the Bones rivalry, taking an 11-7 all-time series lead. UAB produced a late goal line stand to secure a 31-24 victory, securing its fifth-ranked victory in program history and first since the 2021 Independence Bowl win over No. 12 BYU.
UAB wasn’t just without its head coach. The Blazers were down starting quarterback Jalen Kitna — the nation’s 13th-ranked passer entering Saturday — due to an upper-body injury. That thrust Ryder Burton into the lineup for his first career start, and the sophomore thrived as the unlikely hero. Burton fired for 251 yards and three touchdowns on a 20-of-27 showing, leading UAB’s offense to the highest-scoring performance vs. the Memphis defense in 2025.
Burton’s two first half two strikes to Iverson Hooks — including one with two seconds remaining in the second quarter — led the Blazers to a 14-10 halftime advantage as significant home underdogs. UAB then built on its cushion in the third quarter when running back Solomon Beebe escaped a tackle at the line of scrimmage and flew 81 yards for a touchdown, handing the Blazers a 24-10 advantage.
Right before the Beebe run, another significant instance transpired in the third quarter. Memphis starting quarterback Brendon Lewis went down with a leg injury after absorbing a third down sack from UAB free safety Jeremiah Vessel. Lewis limped toward the locker room after the play and was later seen on crutches, while AJ Hill provided relief duties at quarterback.
Memphis’ offense could not fully ignite under Hill, and the Tigers stalled for a field goal in the third quarter to slice the deficit to 24-17. When things looked dire for unbeaten Memphis as UAB invaded field goal range in the early third quarter, the Tigers enjoyed a stroke of luck. The Blazers fumbled at the Tigers’ 25-yard line, but Memphis couldn’t capitalize. On the other side of the field, Hill’s end zone shot was picked off by UAB free safety Pierre Royster at the 1-yard line.
That’s when the most impressive portion of the UAB upset occurred. The Blazers traveled 99 yards in 11 plays, finishing with Burton’s third touchdown connection to Hooks, who recorded 172 yards on 11 receptions in a masterclass performance. Hooks’ hat trick seemingly sealed the contest, putting UAB ahead 31-17 with 4:06 remaining.
However, Memphis was not going to let its 10-game win streak go out with a whimper. The Tigers responded in fewer than two minutes when Hill hit Christian Ross for a 37-yard touchdown with 2:19 remaining. Memphis’ defense rose to the occasion by forcing a three-and-out, providing the Tigers 1:50 of clock for the tying touchdown.
Memphis converted a critical 4th and 7 to reach the UAB 42-yard line, and then the Tigers’ prayer was seemingly answered. Running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. broke free for a touchdown on the subsequent play, but after further review, Desrosiers was ruled down at the 1-yard line. Memphis never got that touchdown back. The Tigers committed a false start at the 1 and their misfortune snowballed from there. After a 5-yard gain repositioned Memphis at the 1, another false start set the Tigers backward to the 6-yard line. Prior to the do-or-die 4th and 6, a third false start was assessed, positioning Memphis 11 yards from the end zone. Hill’s end zone lob was corralled by Cortez Braham Jr., but Braham had a foot out of bounds at the time of his capture — officially sealing one of the most stunning upsets of the 2025 season.
UAB (3-4, 1-2 American) is on the board with its first conference victory of the season. As 23.5-point underdogs, interim head coach Alex Mortensen pulled off the most significant point spread upset in a coaching debut since 1978. One game away from .500, the Blazers look to rally around the interim coach in effort to attain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022.
Memphis (6-1, 2-1 American) will undoubtedly lose its ranking after its 10-game win streak snaps. The Tigers are still alive for their first American Conference Championship appearance since 2019, but this is one Ryan Silverfield and Co. would like to have back. The status of Lewis remains unknown, but the road doesn’t get easier for the Tigers which face ranked South Florida at home next Saturday.
