Birmingham, Alabama, October 20, 2025
News Summary
The UAB football team achieved a stunning 31-24 victory over the No. 22 Memphis Tigers during the interim coaching debut of Alex Mortensen at Protective Stadium. UAB entered the game with a struggling 3-4 record, while Memphis was undefeated at 6-0, making them heavy favorites. UAB quarterback Ryder Burton led the charge, throwing three touchdown passes, with Iverson Hooks catching all three. The victory marked UAB’s first win in the ‘Battle for the Bones’ trophy since 2011, significantly impacting Memphis’s conference title aspirations.
Birmingham, Alabama โ The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) football team stunned the No. 22 Memphis Tigers with a 31-24 victory on October 18, 2025, during the interim coaching debut of Alex Mortensen. This significant win was achieved at Protective Stadium, less than a week after the firing of head coach Trent Dilfer.
Memphis, which came into the game with a perfect 6-0 record and ranked No. 20 in the nation, entered the matchup as heavy favorites, with a spread of 21.5 points over the struggling UAB team. Before this game, UAB had a record of 3-4 and had been struggling throughout the season, particularly with a weak defense.
UABโs quarterback, Ryder Burton, made a critical impact in his first career start. He completed 20 of 27 passes for a total of 251 yards, throwing three touchdown passes while also throwing one interception. The wide receiver Iverson Hooks was a standout star, catching 11 passes for 172 yards, marking a record-setting performance in which all three of Burton’s touchdown passes were directed to him.
Furthermore, UAB’s running game proved effective against Memphis, racking up 219 rushing yards, an impressive feat considering the Tigers’ defense was ranked No. 14 in the nation in this category. Despite the early scoring efforts from Memphis, which included a touchdown from a kickoff return by Sutton Smith, UAB showcased resiliency and adaptability.
Memphis encountered difficulty in the game, struggling with multiple pre-snap penalties that hindered their final offensive drive. Issues such as these contributed to their inability to secure a decisive lead in the game. Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis was injured in the third quarter, requiring true freshman A.J. Hill to step in. Hill managed to throw for 175 yards and added a touchdown pass; however, he too had an interception.
As the game drew to a close, UAB’s defense successfully prevented Memphis from scoring on the Goal Line, despite the Tigers reaching the 1-yard line twice in the final minute of play. This crucial defensive stand ultimately helped UAB secure the victory, which marked their first win in the “Battle for the Bones” trophy since 2011.
With this loss, Memphis fell to 6-1 overall, with a conference record of 2-1 in the American Athletic Conference. This defeat has significant implications for their aspirations toward the conference title and their position in the College Football Playoff. UAB, following their remarkable upset, is set to face UConn on November 1, while Memphis will need to regroup as they prepare to host No. 19 South Florida on October 25, a must-win game for their conference title hopes.
Key Statistics:
– UAB: 3-4 overall record
– Memphis: 6-1 overall record, 2-1 in the American Athletic Conference
– UAB’s Ryder Burton: 20/27 passes, 251 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
– UAB’s Iverson Hooks: 11 receptions, 172 yards, 3 TDs
– UAB’s rushing total: 219 yards
– Memphis: No. 14 nationally in run defense
Upcoming Games:
– UAB vs. UConn on November 1
– Memphis vs. No. 19 South Florida on October 25
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the UAB vs. Memphis game?
UAB defeated No. 22 Memphis 31-24 on October 18, 2025, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
Who was UAB’s interim coach during the game?
This victory marked the first game for UAB’s interim coach, Alex Mortensen, following the firing of coach Trent Dilfer less than a week prior.
What was Memphis’s record before this game?
Memphis entered the game with a record of 6-0 and was ranked No. 20 in the nation.
What was UAB’s overall record before the game?
UAB was 3-4 overall and had been struggling with a weak defense leading into the matchup.
What were Ryder Burton’s statistics in the game?
UAB’s quarterback Ryder Burton, making his first career start, completed 20 of 27 passes for 251 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
What impact did UAB’s running game have?
UAB’s running game gained 219 yards against a Memphis defense that ranked No. 14 nationally in run defense.
What was the significance of this victory for UAB?
The victory was UAB’s first in the “Battle for the Bones” trophy since 2011.
What are the upcoming games for UAB and Memphis?
UAB will face UConn on November 1, and Memphis will host No. 19 South Florida on October 25 in a must-win game for their conference title hopes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Memphis Tigers Continue Undefeated Streak in Football
Mississippi State University Men’s Golf Team Unveils 2025 Schedule
Jackson State University Welcomes New Students for Move-In Weekend
University of Memphis Football Team Achieves Bowl Eligibility
Memphis Tigers Triumph Over Tulsa to Secure Bowl Eligibility
Memphis Tigers Spring Game Provides Player Insights
Memphis Welcomes Kelly as Senior Associate Athletic Director
Memphis Schools Prepare for Upcoming Academic Year
University of Memphis Denied Entry into Big 12 Conference
Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Football Stunned by UAB
- Daily Memphian: Memphis Tigers Football Preview
- College Football News: Week 9 Rankings
- New York Post: UAB Stuns No. 22 Memphis
- AL.com: UAB Upsets Memphis
- Wikipedia: UAB Blazers Football
- Google Search: Memphis Tigers Football
- Google Scholar: College Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Google News: UAB Football
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