Blazers Drop 21-14 Decision at Louisiana

Saturday, September 19

Lafayette, LA

7 p.m.

UAB

1-2 , 0-0

Louisiana

2-1 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
UAB	0	7	0	7	14
Louisiana	7	14	0	0	21

Box Score (PDF)

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

Blazers Drop 21-14 Decision at Louisiana

9/19/2026 11:09:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Louisiana Postgame Notes

LAFAYETTE, La. — UAB forced two turnovers and pulled within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but its comeback fell short in a 21-14 loss to Louisiana on Saturday night at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

The Blazers fell to 1-2, while the Ragin' Cajuns improved to 2-1. UAB head coach Alex Mortensen credited his defense for keeping the game within reach but said the offense needed to do more.

"Defensively we played well enough to win this game," Mortensen said. Of the offensive performance, he added, "It's very disappointing and not good enough, not even close to good enough."

Louisiana took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in eight plays, using 6:01. Steven Blanco capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Ragin' Cajuns a 7-0 lead.

A 20-yard UAB punt later gave Louisiana the ball at the Blazers' 40-yard line. Lunch Winfield scored on a 9-yard run on the second play of the second quarter, completing a seven-play drive and extending the lead to 14-0.

UAB's defense put the Blazers on the board with 7:56 remaining in the half. Sterling Sanders stripped Darrell Smith, and Chris Burge recovered the fumble and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown. It was UAB's first fumble return for a touchdown since 2018.

Winfield answered with his second rushing touchdown of the half, scoring from 11 yards out to send Louisiana into halftime ahead 21-7.

After a scoreless third quarter, Ty Mims returned a Louisiana punt 42 yards to the Ragin' Cajuns' 12-yard line. Two plays later, Nate Rogers ran around the left end for an 11-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 21-14.

The defense gave UAB another chance as Louisiana tried to run out the clock. Jo'Tavion Pierce forced a fumble by Anthony Ragas Jr., and Delvon Gulley recovered at the Blazers' 18-yard line with 3:06 remaining.

UAB advanced near midfield, but its final drive ended on fourth down. Louisiana took over and ran out the clock.

"The fourth-and-2 is disappointing," Mortensen said. "We lost at the line of scrimmage, where we got out-leveraged." He took responsibility for the call and the offense's preparation: "I can help our players more by putting them in a better position there, because if we convert that, we've got a chance to win the game."

Mortensen said the Blazers will review why they struggled to control the line of scrimmage, particularly in the running game, as they prepare for a short week.

"We've got to plan better in a lot of areas," he said. "We've got to try to control the early downs better to set up better third downs."

UAB returns to Protective Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25, to face Navy in its American Conference opener.