UAB Pulls Away From Charlotte in Fourth Quarter for 23-12 Victory

Saturday, November 7

Birmingham, AL

2:30 p.m.

UAB

5-4 , 3-2

Charlotte

1-8 , 1-4

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Charlotte	0	3	3	6	12
UAB	0	3	3	17	23

Game Notes

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

11/7/2026 6:36:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BOX SCORE | GAME PHOTOS | SEASON STATS | POST-GAME NOTES

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and used another dominant defensive performance to defeat Charlotte, 23-12, Saturday afternoon at Protective Stadium in the 10th annual Children's Harbor Game.

The Blazers (5-4, 3-2 American) improved to 5-0 at home for the first time since 2019, while extending their all-time record in Children's Harbor games to 9-1. Charlotte fell to 1-8 overall and 1-4 in American Conference play.

UAB's defense limited Charlotte to just 234 total yards, including 59 rushing yards, while recording four sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Blazers held the 49ers to six points through the first three quarters and overcame a season-high four turnovers to secure their fifth victory of the season.

"The defense played great today and really dominated these guys," head coach Alex Mortensen said. "It's our job to teach, and so we've got to get our guys to understand what we're doing better, too."

The scoring didn't begin until midway through the second quarter, when Charlotte put together a 17-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 9:23 off the clock. Aiden Bui capped the possession with a 26-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead.

The Blazers answered just before halftime, marching 46 yards in 11 plays to set up a 42-yard field goal by Jonah Delange as time expired, sending the teams to the locker room tied at 3.

The kick marked Delange's 19th made field goal of the season and 50th of his career, making him just the fourth player in program history to reach the milestone.

Charlotte regained the lead on its opening possession of the second half after an interception gave the 49ers possession at the UAB 21-yard line. The Blazers' defense held Charlotte to just six yards on the ensuing drive, forcing a 32-yard Bui field goal that put the visitors ahead 6-3.

Delange answered again later in the third quarter, connecting from 46 yards to tie the game at 6 with five minutes remaining in the period.

UAB took its first lead of the afternoon early in the fourth quarter. A nine-play, 48-yard drive, highlighted by a 19-yard run from Roderick Robinson II, set up Delange's third field goal of the game, a 36-yarder that put the Blazers ahead 9-6 with 12:40 remaining.

Following a Charlotte three-and-out, the UAB offense found its rhythm. Ryder Burton connected with EJ Reid for 16 yards and Sean Persson for nine before finding CJ Smith for a 25-yard completion that moved the Blazers to the Charlotte 3-yard line. Two plays later, Ja'Vin Simpkins punched it in from one yard out, extending UAB's advantage to 16-6 with 8:09 remaining.

"What got us going a little bit in the second half is we really started to dominate and control the line of scrimmage up front," Mortensen said. "The offensive line played much better in the second half, and then our backs ran really hard and really well. They were hard to get on the ground."

The Blazers' defense came through again on Charlotte's ensuing possession, forcing a turnover on downs at the UAB 35-yard line with 4:39 remaining.

UAB capitalized with an eight-play, 65-yard touchdown drive featuring runs of 16 yards by Braylon McReynolds and 11 yards by Robinson. Simpkins finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, his second of the afternoon, to give the Blazers a 23-6 advantage with 2:07 remaining.

Charlotte added a late touchdown on a 14-yard pass from Conner Harrell to Jaden Barnes with 1:01 remaining, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, securing the 23-12 final.

The Blazers outgained Charlotte 161-89 in the fourth quarter, including an 87-yard rushing effort, while recording nine first downs in the final period.

Robinson led the UAB offense with 101 rushing yards on 14 carries, his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season. He also caught four passes for 30 yards, finishing with a game-high 131 all-purpose yards. McReynolds added 54 rushing yards on 12 attempts, while Simpkins recorded 35 rushing yards and his first career multi-touchdown game.

Reid led UAB's receiving corps with five catches for 57 yards, while Burton completed 17-of-29 passes for 141 yards.

Defensively, Marlin Dean delivered a career performance, recording three sacks for 22 yards, four tackles and a forced fumble. Dean has now registered 10.5 sacks this season, the most by a UAB player since 2004, when Larry McSwain recorded 13.0 sacks. It also puts Dean in 5th place for sacks in a single-season in the UAB record book.

Dean has recorded multiple sacks in three games this season, including performances against Navy and South Florida. His three sacks Saturday marked a new single-game career high.

"Marlin Dean is a great player who's got great pass-rush ability," Mortensen said. "I think Coach Grantham and our staff have done a great job of helping him also develop against the run. He has leadership qualities on top of his play."

Jo'Tavion Pierce led the Blazers with eight tackles, while Muaaz Byard added seven and Anta'Veon McKenzie and Tylin Jackson recorded six each.

UAB's four sacks brought its season total to 21, moving the Blazers into the program's top 10 for single-season team sacks. The defense also held its ninth consecutive opponent under 200 passing yards, limiting Charlotte to 175 yards through the air.

Delange finished the afternoon a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on PATs, accounting for 11 of UAB's 23 points. His three makes brought his season total to 21, matching his career high set in 2024 and moving him within one of the program's single-season record of 22, established by Swayze Waters in 2007.

Delange now owns 52 career field goals, moving into sole possession of third place in UAB history.

Saturday's victory marked the Blazers' ninth win in 10 Children's Harbor games, continuing a tradition that honors children and families served by the organization. UAB wore specially designed gray jerseys featuring the names of 99 children, with the jerseys presented to the children and their families following the game.

"Children's Harbor is a great organization, and it's a great tradition, our partnership with them," Mortensen said. "I'm honored to be a part of it, and I know our players are too. Those relationships really mean a lot to all of our people and everyone involved."

The Blazers return to the road Saturday, Nov. 14, to face Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Kickoff is set for noon CT (1 p.m. ET), and the game will stream on ESPN+.

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