BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB upset No. 22 Memphis 31-24 on Saturday in the debut of interim coach Alex Mortensen, the son of late ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen.
The Blazers fired Trent Dilfer last Sunday.
Memphis (6-1, 2-1 American Athletic Conference) reached the 1 twice in the final minute going for a tying touchdown, but two false starts and one delay-of-game penalty stalled the drive. Memphis threw an incomplete pass into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 11.
The Blazers (3-4, 1-3) found new offensive life with Mortensen and new starting quarterback Ryder Burton in charge, surpassing 450 yards of offense against a FBS opponent for the first time this year.
Burton completed 20 of his 27 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns — all to Iverson Hooks, who caught 11 passes for 172 yards. The Blazers also ran for over 200 yards against a FBS opponent for the first time since 2023.
The Tigers took all margin for error out of their season as it relates to the American Athletic Conference championship game and the College Football Playoff. The Tigers will need to win out to have a chance at either, beginning with a matchup against No. 19 South Florida next week.
