The UAB Blazers are bowling once again.
For the first time since joining the American Conference, UAB reached the six-win threshold to qualify for bowl eligibility. The Blazers improved to 6-4 on Saturday with their most decisive victory of the season, handling Temple 36-10 on the road.
UAB had not been bowl eligible since 2022, which was its final season as a Conference USA program. But in their first full season under head coach Alex Mortensen, the Blazers have enjoyed a resurgent campaign, boasting
a 6-4 overall record and 4-2 conference standing after Week 11.
UAB has won three of its last four contests, and all three wins came by double-digits. The highlight of the Blazers’ 2026 résumé is a 30-17 overtime victory over 6-4 East Carolina on a nationally televised Thursday night showcase from Oct. 15. Thanks to that tiebreaker, the Blazers are currently positioned fourth in the conference standings, only trailing UTSA, Memphis, and North Texas.
The program’s drastic improvement can be traced to its defense, which is led by veteran defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who was hired by Mortensen on Dec. 30, 2025. Under Grantham, UAB’s scoring defense has risen from 135th nationally in 2025 (38.3 points allowed per game) to 52nd in 2026 (22.4 points allowed per game). The Blazers’ total defense has skyrocketed from 119th (423 yards allowed per game) to 18th (293 yards allowed per game). UAB currently boasts the No. 1 passing defense in the FBS, surrendering just 118 yards per game on a 55.3 completion rate.
The improved Blazers conclude their conference slate against UTSA and North Texas, with two opportunities at statement victories in Mortensen’s first full year at the helm.
After those upcoming matchups, UAB will participate in its seventh bowl game in program history. The Blazers are 3-3 in their previous bowl trips, most recently winning the 2022 Bahamas Bowl over Miami (OH).
