UAB Falls to UConn 38–19 in Road Loss: Coach Mortensen Urges Team to "Refocus and Respond"

November 1, 2025 - EAST HARTFORD, CT - The UAB Blazers suffered a tough road defeat on Saturday, November 1, falling 38–19 to the University of Connecticut at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. The loss dropped UAB to 3–5 overall and 1–3 in American Athletic Conference play, dimming hopes for a late-season surge.

The Blazers struggled to contain UConn quarterback Joey Fagnano, who threw for 267 yards and four touchdowns, three of them to standout receiver Skyler Bell, who finished with eight catches for 149 yards. UAB's defense also gave up three interceptions, all snagged by UConn's Cam Chadwick, tying a school record.

First-Half Breakdown

UAB fell behind early, trailing 24–0 at halftime after a series of defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities. Despite a late push in the second half, the Blazers couldn't recover from the early deficit.

Quarterback Ryder Burton completed 21 of 30 passes for 209 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Brandon Hawkins Jr. contributed both a rushing and receiving touchdown, but the offense couldn't find consistent rhythm against a disciplined UConn defense.

Coach Mortensen's Postgame Comments

Interim Head Coach Alex Mortensen, who took over after Trent Dilfer's midseason departure, acknowledged the team's struggles but remained focused on growth.

"We didn't execute early, and that put us in a hole," Mortensen said. "You can't give a team like UConn that kind of momentum and expect to climb out of it."

Mortensen praised his players for fighting through adversity but emphasized the need for sharper decision-making and discipline.

"We've got to protect the football better. Turnovers killed us today," he said. "We've got talent, but talent without execution doesn't win games."

He also addressed the team's defensive lapses, particularly in the secondary.

"We've got to clean up our coverage and angles. Too many missed assignments and open-field breakdowns," Mortensen noted. "That's on us as coaches to fix, and on the players to own."

Despite the setback, Mortensen expressed confidence in the team's ability to rebound.

"We've got three games left, and everything we want is still in front of us," he said. "This is about how we respond. We've got to refocus, recommit, and finish strong.

Season Trends and Challenges

UAB's defense has now allowed 38.8 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally. The Blazers have surrendered 19 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns through eight games, with run defense remaining a key vulnerability.

Offensively, UAB averages 28.4 points per game, but turnovers and penalties continue to stall drives. The team has committed 516 penalty yards across eight games.

What's Next

UAB travels to Rice on November 8, followed by home games against North Texas and South Florida, and a season finale at Tulsa on November 29. With bowl eligibility still mathematically possible, Mortensen said the team must treat each game as a must-win.

"We've got to play with urgency and pride," he said. "This team has heart. Now we need results."