The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Work Through Situational Scrimmage Under the Lights
8/22/2026 10:12:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB football team held its second scrimmage of fall camp Saturday night under the lights at the Legacy Pavilion, using the session to work through an extensive collection of game situations.
Rather than playing a traditional, uninterrupted scrimmage, the Blazers regularly reset the field to rehearse specific down-and-distance, field-position and game-management scenarios.
With the format designed to put the Blazers in situations they could encounter throughout the season, head coach Alex Mortensen came away encouraged by the way his team competed while also identifying areas that will remain points of emphasis as camp continues.
"The guys took the field with really good energy and effort and toughness tonight and played hard," Mortensen said. "There are certain fundamental things that weren't at our standard overall, and those are things we have to continue to clean up."
The tight ends were heavily involved in the passing game as Gabriel Cline and Scott Isacks recorded three receptions apiece. Antonio Ferguson, Ty Mims, Rashad Robinson, Kaleb Brown and Malik Muhammad each added one reception.
Defensively, the Blazers consistently affected the quarterback and finished the scrimmage with 11 recorded sacks. Marlin Dean led the pass rush with 3.5 sacks, while Blanche Gold added 2.5. Elijah Hall, Sterling Sanders, Chris Burge, Cam Cunningham and J'Quan Mason each recorded one sack.
"I've seen real maturation with that group from day one to now," Mortensen said, evaluating the defensive performance.
The secondary also made its presence felt with a pair of interceptions. Courage Ugo returned an interception for a touchdown and added a pass breakup, while Delvon Gulley recorded an interception and two pass breakups. Malachi Character contributed a tackle for loss and pass breakup, while Anta'Veon McKenzie and Kris Wokomah each broke up a pass. Kyle Mosley and Braden Sullivan added tackles for loss.
On special teams, Jonah Delange knocked home three field goal attempts, connecting from 25, 35 and 45 yards.
UAB enters the final stretch of fall camp next week before turning its full attention to preparations for the Sept. 3 season opener at Illinois.
SCRIMMAGE STATS
| OFFENSE | STATS |
|---|---|
| Gabriel Cline | 3 receptions |
| Scott Isacks | 3 receptions |
| Antonio Ferguson | 1 reception |
| Ty Mims | 1 reception |
| Rashad Robinson | 1 reception |
| Kaleb Brown | 1 reception |
| Malik Muhammad | 1 reception |
| DEFENSE | STATS |
|---|---|
| Marlin Dean | 3.5 sacks |
| Blanche Gold | 2.5 sacks |
| Delvon Gulley | 1 INT, 2 PBU |
| Courage Ugo | 1 INT (Pick Six), 1 PBU |
| Malachi Character | 1 TFL, 1 PBU |
| Elijah Hall | 1 sack |
| Sterling Sanders | 1 sack |
| Chris Burge | 1 sack |
| Cam Cunningham | 1 sack |
| J'Quan Mason | 1 sack |
| Kyle Mosley | 1 TFL |
| Braden Sullivan | 1 TFL |
| Anta'Veon McKenzie | 1 PBU |
| Kris Wokomah | 1 PBU |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | STATS |
|---|---|
| Jonah Delange | 3-for-3 FG (25, 35, 45 yards) |
