UAB Falls to Memphis 38-13 in the Battle for the Bones

Saturday, October 10

Memphis, TN

6 p.m.

UAB

3-3 , 1-1

Memphis

5-1 , 2-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
UAB	7	6	0	0	13
Memphis	7	3	14	14	38

Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

UAB Falls to Memphis 38-13 in the Battle for the Bones

10/10/2026 10:25:00 PM | Football

Box Score UAB Memphis Final Stats Memphis Postgame Notes UAB Season Stats

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite taking a three-point lead into halftime behind a school-record 57-yard field goal from Jonah Delange, UAB (3-3, 1-1 American) was unable to sustain its early momentum as Memphis (5-1, 2-0 American) scored 28 unanswered second-half points to defeat the Blazers 38-13 Saturday night in the Battle for the Bones at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Blazers held a 13-10 advantage at intermission, but the Tigers outscored UAB 28-0 in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in each of the final two quarters. Three UAB turnovers and struggles on third down proved costly as the Blazers were held scoreless after halftime.

"We're playing a really good team, and it was a tough game," UAB head coach Alex Mortensen said. "You give the ball to the other team three times, and we don't take it away any. I thought we played well on defense in a lot of areas, and the offense was playing well at points, too, in the first half. The turnover margin really sticks out to me, and conversion downs."

UAB finished with 310 yards of total offense, including 179 rushing yards, while Memphis accumulated 394 yards. The Blazers held the ball for 33:42 but converted just 3-of-15 third-down opportunities, including an 0-for-7 mark in the second half.

Rod Robinson II led the Blazers with 65 rushing yards on 19 carries, while Bam McReynolds added 56 yards on nine attempts. Ty Mims led UAB's receiving corps with three catches for 79 yards, and quarterback Ryder Burton completed 10-of-20 passes for 131 yards.

Defensively, Jo'Tavion Pierce registered a game-high 12 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and added two pass breakups. Muaaz Byard and Anta'Veon McKenzie each contributed six tackles.
"We've got to come out and execute better in the second half," Mortensen said. "I'm not going to chalk it up to adjustments or anything like that. We've got to come out with a better mentality."

UAB opened the contest with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 29-yard run from McReynolds. Ja'Vin Simpkins capped the possession with an 11-yard touchdown run, his first as a Blazer, to put UAB ahead 7-0 following Delange's extra point.

Mortensen credited the opening possession with establishing the Blazers' ground attack. "The first drive was really good," Mortensen said. "We had a variety of good runs and kind of established the run game a little bit. I think we had them off balance a little bit and presented a lot of things, and our players did a really good job executing it. We really started the game the way we wanted to, but we've got to sustain that better."

Memphis answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Jaylin Carter's 14-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.

The Blazers threatened to regain the lead on their next possession, marching 67 yards in 12 plays to the Memphis 8-yard line before a fumble ended the scoring opportunity.
Memphis took its first lead early in the second quarter after an interception gave the Tigers possession at the UAB 35. The Blazers' defense held Memphis to a 33-yard field goal by Philippe Laforge, giving the Tigers a 10-7 advantage.

UAB responded with a nine-play, 44-yard drive that ended with Delange connecting from 49 yards to tie the contest at 10 with 6:37 remaining before halftime.

Following another defensive stop, the Blazers took possession at their own 9-yard line with 4:40 remaining in the half. UAB moved into Memphis territory before a running-into-the-kicker penalty against the Tigers extended the drive.

The penalty proved costly for Memphis as Delange drilled a career-long 57-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining, sending the Blazers into halftime with a 13-10 lead.

The 57-yard kick established a UAB school record, surpassing Ty Long's previous mark of 54 yards against Ohio State in 2012. It was Delange's 14th made field goal of the season and his second successful attempt of the night. He also connected from 49 yards earlier in the quarter.

Memphis reclaimed the lead midway through the third quarter on a nine-play, 81-yard drive, capped by Carter's second touchdown run of the evening, this time from 24 yards out, to put the Tigers ahead 17-13.

The Tigers extended the advantage on their next possession, covering 86 yards in just five plays. Marcus Stokes connected with Tychaun Chapman for a 45-yard touchdown, pushing the Memphis lead to 24-13 with 6:07 remaining in the third quarter.

UAB moved back into Memphis territory on its ensuing possession, but Delange's 53-yard field goal attempt sailed wide, ending an eight-play, 40-yard drive.

Memphis added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Following a UAB fumble, Hunter Tipton scored from 1 yard out to make it 31-13 with 10:22 remaining. The touchdown marked the first fourth-quarter points surrendered by the Blazers since their season opener at Illinois, snapping a streak of four consecutive games without allowing a point in the final period. Stokes later connected with Aidan O'Callaghan for an 11-yard touchdown to provide the final margin.

Carter led Memphis with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, while Stokes threw for 164 yards and two scores.

Mortensen said the turnovers and missed opportunities overshadowed several encouraging stretches of play.

"I thought our defense was good enough to win this game despite the points on the scoreboard," Mortensen said. "It's just very frustrating to give them the ball three times. I've got to do a better job. I do have to do a better job of that, that's for sure."

The Blazers return home on a short week to host East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Protective Stadium. The Homecoming contest is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air nationally on ESPN.

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KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE FOR EAST CAROLINA GAME
UAB Athletics has announced that kids ages 12 and under will receive FREE admission to the Blazers' home game against East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Protective Stadium. Fans can redeem the offer online using promo code U12FREE and must purchase at least one reserved ticket through the promotion to receive complimentary youth tickets. The promo code is valid until 2:30 p.m. CT on Oct. 15.

After the online promotion expires, families can still take advantage of the offer at the Protective Stadium box office by purchasing at least one reserved ticket. Fans may also contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-8221 for assistance. Individual game tickets can be purchased by clicking here, while group tickets and fan experience packages are available by clicking here.

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