The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Completes First Scrimmage of Fall Camp at Protective Stadium
8/15/2026 6:01:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB Football held its first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday at Protective Stadium, battling temperatures in the 90s and high humidity during the Blazers' first on-field work at their home venue this preseason.
The demanding conditions provided head coach Alex Mortensen with another opportunity to evaluate how his team responded when fatigue began to set in.
"I think in some ways it was really good to challenge guys' mental toughness," Mortensen said. "Sometimes the toughness thing doesn't just manifest itself if it's a guy playing full speed, but will he focus when it gets hard? Will he still have his technique when it gets hard?"
The defense delivered the strongest performance of the day, consistently affecting the quarterback, creating negative plays and making things difficult for the offense throughout the scrimmage.
Defensive lineman J'Quan Mason led the pass rush with four sacks, while Blanche Gold added two. Chris Burge and Myles Cook each recorded a sack, and Noah Nelson was credited with a half-sack.
Mortensen praised the defense for its effort, execution and ability to remain sound during an unscripted practice.
"I thought guys, especially on defense, played pretty hard and pretty tough today, start to finish," Mortensen said. "I thought the coverage was tight, and I thought they did a good job playing their coverage principles and playing sound coverage. I also thought we did a good job affecting the quarterback when we weren't blitzing."
Mason said the performance reflected the standard being established by defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and the work the unit has put in throughout camp.
"They always push us to be great," Mason said. "Even when we're tired, they keep us in the game. I got four sacks today, so it felt pretty good. I've been working since winter. I've been working every day, putting my head down and working in silence."
The Blazers also produced several impact plays in the secondary. Courage Ugo recorded an interception, while Ike Esonwune registered a safety and a pass breakup. Anta'Veon McKenzie finished with two pass breakups, and Delvon Gulley and Draden Fullbright added one apiece.
Tylin Jackson recorded a tackle for loss, forced fumble and pass breakup. Sterling Sanders and Kyle Mosley also contributed tackles for loss.
Gold said the defense has continued to build chemistry despite incorporating a large group of newcomers.
"We're like a melting pot," Gold said. "It's guys who are better at rushing, guys who are better at the run and guys whose IQ and play recognition are high. We're able to talk and mesh together. Once we start rolling and start talking on the sideline, guys are just flying. We're building off each other, and every day we're getting better."
Offensively, the Blazers found success during red-zone work. Bam McReynolds scored on a 15-yard run, while quarterback Nate Rogers connected with tight end Brayden Johnson for a 5-yard touchdown.
Mortensen credited Rogers for his continued development and growing command of the offense.
"The challenge with Nate has been, 'Let's go run the whole offense,'" Mortensen said. "We felt like he was capable of doing that, he knows he's capable of doing that, and he has done that. That's been really positive to see."
Wide receiver CD Gill led the receiving group with four catches, followed by Ty Mims with three and Jailen Holmes with two. Kaleb Brown, Bradley Wainwright, Scott Isacks, Brogan McNab, Gabriel Cline and Antonio Ferguson each added a reception.
With several receivers unavailable, Mims said the remaining players have embraced the additional workload.
"We know we've got some guys down, but that doesn't mean we just sit and complain," Mims said. "We've just got to push through it. We know those guys want to be out here, so we use them as a way to push through because we know if we were hurt, they would do the same for us."
Placekicker Jonah Delange converted four field-goal attempts, connecting from 25, 35, 45 and 50 yards.
Mortensen said the scrimmage gave the coaching staff valuable film as the Blazers continue evaluating personnel and building toward the season opener.
"We still have two weeks of camp left and a game week," Mortensen said. "We're going to continue to rep all of them and give them opportunities."
UAB continues fall camp next week in preparation for its season opener at Illinois on Sept. 3.
Scrimmage Statistics:
Scoring Plays
- Touchdown, 15 yard run, Bam McReynolds (RZ)
- Touchdown, 5 yard pass, Nate Rogers to Brayden Johnson (RZ)
- Safety, Ike Esonwune
- CD Gill, 4 reception
- Ty Mims, 3 reception
- Jailen Holmes, 2 reception
- Bradley Wainwright, Kaleb Brown, Scott Isacks, Brogan McNab, Gabriel Cline and Antonio Ferguson, 1 reception each
- J'Quan Mason, 4 sacks
- Blanche Gold, 2 sacks
- Chris Burge, 1 sack, TFL
- Myles Cook, 1 sack
- Tylin Jackson, TFL, FF, PBU
- Delvon Gulley, PBU
- Sterling Sanders, TFL
- Draden Fullbright, PBU
- Anta'Veon McKenzie, 2 PBU
- Ike Esonwune, PBU, Safety
- Kyle Mosley, TFL
- Courage Ugo, INT
- Jonah Delange, Made Field Goals: 25, 35, 45, 50
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