UAB pulled off a stunning upset against No. 22 Memphis, winning 31-24 in interim coach Alex Mortensen’s debut. The victory was sealed with a dramatic goal-line stand in the final seconds, handing the Tigers their first loss of the season.
The game, played on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, saw UAB enter as 23.5-point underdogs, making it the largest upset of a ranked team in AAC history. Memphis, previously undefeated at 6-0, was favored to continue their strong season but faced a resilient Blazers squad that executed under pressure from the start.
Alex Mortensen, appointed interim head coach just days before after Trent Dilfer’s firing, is the son of the late ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen. In his first game, Mortensen emphasized fanatical effort, poise, and unity, and the team responded with a cohesive performance. He acknowledged Dilfer’s contributions post-game, noting that the culture and messaging from the former coach played a role in the win.
Offensively, UAB was led by new starting quarterback Ryder Burton, who completed 20 of 27 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns, all to wide receiver Iverson Hooks, who caught 11 passes for 172 yards. The Blazers also showcased a balanced attack, rushing for over 200 yards for the first time against an FBS opponent since 2023, highlighted by Solomon Beebe’s 81-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that extended their lead.
The decisive moment came in the final minute when Memphis drove to the 1-yard line with a chance to tie the game. However, penalties—two false starts and a delay of game—pushed them back to the 11-yard line. On fourth down, AJ Hill’s pass to Cortez Braham Jr. fell incomplete as Braham couldn’t keep a foot in bounds in the end zone, securing the upset for UAB amid tense moments.
For Memphis, the loss was a major blow to their College Football Playoff aspirations. They entered the game with a 43% chance to make the playoff, the highest among Group of 5 teams, but that dropped to 19% after the defeat. Quarterback Brendon Lewis was injured in the third quarter and replaced by Hill, who threw for 175 yards with a touchdown and an interception, compounding the Tigers’ challenges.
This upset ranks as the second-biggest in FBS this season by point spread, behind only UCLA’s win over Penn State. It throws the American Athletic Conference race into uncertainty, with Memphis now needing to win out to have a shot at the conference title and playoff bid, starting with a critical matchup against No. 19 South Florida next week.
UAB, now 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the AAC, will look to build momentum under Mortensen’s leadership, while Memphis must regroup quickly to salvage their season and address issues like penalty management and quarterback depth.