UAB Pulls Away From Samford for a 33-14 Victory

Saturday, October 3

Birmingham, AL

2:30 p.m.

UAB

3-2 , 1-0

Samford

1-4 , 1-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Samford	7	7	0	0	14
UAB	10	3	3	17	33

Box Score (PDF)

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

UAB Pulls Away From Samford for a 33-14 Victory

10/3/2026 7:06:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF) Season Stats (PDF)Samford Postgame Notes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB used a strong second-half defensive performance, three interceptions and four field goals from Jonah Delange to pull away from Samford for a 33-14 victory Saturday afternoon at Protective Stadium.

The Blazers improved to 3-2 overall with their second consecutive victory, while holding the Bulldogs scoreless after halftime and limiting Samford to 230 yards of total offense. UAB intercepted Gabarri Johnson three times and surrendered just 90 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

"I think we played well on defense," head coach Alex Mortensen said. "I think our staff is doing a great job defensively from that standpoint. … Guys are playing really, really hard and playing really nasty."

UAB struck first when Delange connected on a 44-yard field goal, the 40th made field goal of his career. The scoring drive was set up on the Blazers' first play from scrimmage when Ryder Burton connected with CJ Smith for 54 yards, moving UAB to the Samford 25-yard line.

Samford answered with a nine-play, 90-yard scoring drive, capped by Johnson's 4-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Henderson to give the Bulldogs a 7-3 advantage.

The lead lasted just 3:29. UAB responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive, taking a 10-7 lead on EJ Reid's 36-yard touchdown run. It was Reid's first career rushing touchdown and the second touchdown of his UAB career. Through five games, Reid has 42 rushing yards on just two carries along with 16 receptions for 140 yards.

The teams traded turnovers in the second quarter. Ty Mims muffed a punt that was recovered by Samford, but the Bulldogs gave it right back when Jeremiah Jordan intercepted Johnson at the UAB 42. The interception was Jordan's first as a Blazer and came in his 45th career collegiate game.

UAB turned the takeaway into points, with Delange drilling a season-long 46-yard field goal to extend the Blazers' lead to 13-7.

Samford regained the lead with 3:36 remaining in the half. Lashon Young forced a Rod Robinson II fumble, and Jalen Nelson returned it 95 yards for a touchdown, sending the Bulldogs into halftime with a 14-13 advantage.

The UAB defense took control after the break.

Delvon Gulley intercepted Johnson on Samford's first possession of the third quarter, and the Blazers capitalized with Delange's third field goal, a 23-yarder that put UAB back in front 16-14. The interception was Gulley's first of the season.

UAB extended its lead early in the fourth quarter when Bam McReynolds broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run, giving the Blazers a 23-14 advantage. McReynolds finished with 46 yards on 10 carries and now has 1,566 career rushing yards and eight career rushing touchdowns, including 260 yards and four scores in his first five games at UAB.

The Blazers put the game away with a methodical 12-play, 68-yard drive that drained 6:53 off the clock. Burton capped the possession with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Smith, extending the lead to 30-14 with 2:58 remaining.

Smith finished with a game-high 85 receiving yards on two catches, including receptions of 54 and 31 yards. His fourth-quarter score was the first touchdown reception of his UAB career. Burton finished 8-of-18 for 139 yards and a touchdown and increased his UAB career totals to 1,499 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes through 14 career games.

Delange provided the final points with a 26-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining. He finished 4-for-4 on field goals, connecting from 44, 46, 23 and 26 yards. Delange now has 43 career field goals and 201 career points, while improving to 12-for-13 on field goals this season.

UAB finished with 400 yards of total offense, including 248 rushing yards on 51 attempts, while possessing the ball for 33:45. The Blazers outscored Samford 20-0 after halftime and held the Bulldogs to 230 total yards. UAB's three interceptions came from Jordan, Gulley and Ike Esonwune.

Saturday was also the first time UAB has intercepted three or more passes since Nov. 23, 2024 against the Rice Owls. The Blazers haven't allowed a fourth quarter point in the past four games, shutting out the Bulldogs 17-0 in the final frame on Saturday.

Mortensen was pleased with the result but emphasized that the Blazers still have room to improve.

"We've got to play better," Mortensen said. "We've got to play a lot better. We kind of took control of the game late, which was really nice, but we've got to play better."

The Blazers now turn their attention to Memphis and the renewal of the Battle for the Bones on Saturday, Oct. 10. The game will either by at 6 pm on ESPN2 or 6:30 pm on ESPN U.

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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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