UAB Falls to Rice in Hard-Fought Battle, 24–17

The UAB Blazers suffered a tough loss Saturday in Houston, falling to the Rice Owls 24–17 in a game that saw momentum shift dramatically after halftime. Despite a promising start and a 17-point first half, the Blazers were shut out in the final two quarters, allowing Rice to claw back and secure the win.

UAB quarterback Ryder Burton led the charge early, throwing for 213 yards and two touchdowns. His first scoring strike came in the opening quarter-a 31-yard pass to Iverson Hooks, who finished the night with six catches for 89 yards. Burton followed up with another touchdown pass to BJ Hawkins Jr. in the second quarter, helping the Blazers build a 17–14 lead heading into the break.

Rice, however, responded with resilience. Quarterback Chase Jenkins threw for just 41 yards but made them count, tossing two touchdown passes and managing the game efficiently. The Owls leaned heavily on their ground game, racking up 191 rushing yards and controlling the clock in the second half. A third-quarter field goal gave Rice a 24–17 lead, and their defense held firm from there.

The Blazers struggled to regain their rhythm after halftime. Penalties, stalled drives, and missed opportunities plagued their offense, which failed to score in the final 30 minutes. Rice's defense tightened up, forcing punts and keeping Burton under pressure. UAB's final drive ended in a turnover on downs, sealing their fate.

With the loss, UAB drops to 3–6 on the season and faces an uphill battle to reach bowl eligibility. The defeat also marks their third consecutive loss, raising questions about consistency and execution heading into the final stretch of the season.

Interim Coach Alex Mortenson was disappointed with the second half performance of the Blazers offense.

"We came out with energy and executed early, but we didn't finish," Coach Mortenson said. "That's on me and the staff to get corrected. We've got to be better in the second half - plain and simple."

Rice, meanwhile, improves to 5–4 and continues to build momentum in the American Athletic Conference. Their balanced attack and second-half adjustments proved decisive, and they now sit in a strong position for postseason contention.

UAB will look to regroup next week as they prepare for a critical matchup at home. For the Blazers, the path forward will require sharper execution, stronger second-half performances, and a renewed sense of urgency as the season winds down.