UAB, interim coach Alex Mortensen stun Memphis, defeat Tigers 31-24

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Less than one week after relieving Trent Dilfer of his duties as head coach, UAB upset Top 25 ranked Memphis in Birmingham Saturday.

Blazers interim head coach Alex Mortensen led his team to a 31-24 upset over the Tigers inside Protective Stadium for what will likely be one of the biggest upsets of the weekend.

The two sides were tied 7-7 after the first quarter before UAB put up 10 points in the 2nd quarter to hold a 17-14 lead going into the half.

UAB held the Tigers to just three more points in the 3rd quarter and added another touchdown on the board to go up 10, 24-17, heading into the final quarter of play.

Halfway through the 4th quarter, the Blazers went up two scores after a 11-play, 99-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock.

Memphis responded with a touchdown drive of their own to make it a 31-24 game, and the Blazers were unable to run out the clock on their next drive, giving the ball back to the Tigers with a chance to tie the game.

Tigers running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. broke free for a 41-yard run after a Tigers 4th down conversion and was brought down at the 1-yard line with just 1:03 to go. The play was originally ruled a touchdown, but after review, the ball was brought back to the 1-yard line.

Although it seemed like the Tigers were going to get in the end zone, UAB’s defense forced a false start, incomplete pass, incomplete pass, and a delay of game before forcing another incompletion on the Tigers’ last chance and pulled off the stunning upset 31-24.

UAB will be back on the field Nov. 1, taking on UConn on the road.

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