Memphis Football Suffers Upset Loss to UAB, Jeopardizing Conference Title Hopes

Memphis football, ranked No. 20 and favored to win the American Conference, suffered a surprising 31-24 loss to UAB, which disrupted their College Football Playoff aspirations and reshaped the conference title race. UAB, led by interim coach Alex Mortensen and backup quarterback Ryder Burton, executed a strong game plan with effective play-calling and a standout performance by receiver Iverson Hooks, countering Memphis's usually disruptive defense. Memphis linebacker Drue Watts attributed the loss to a lack of focus and communication. The Tigers now face a critical need to win remaining games, starting with a key matchup against USF. Meanwhile, Alabama's offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb praised the team's effort and atmosphere following their win against Tennessee, highlighting individual player improvements and strategic planning. Tennessee linebacker Jeremiah Telander acknowledged Alabama's strong offense and emphasized the need for Tennessee to improve their detail orientation and execution moving forward.