UAB needs the 4th quarter to pull away from Samford in 33-14 victory

Updated Oct. 3, 2026 7:01 p.m. ET

Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Ryder Burton threw for a touchdown, Jonah Delange kicked four field goals and UAB's defense came up with three interceptions in a 33-14 win over Samford on Saturday.

The Blazers had their hands full until a 17-point fourth quarter sealed it.

Bam McReynolds' 28-yard touchdown run and Burton's 31-yard scoring pass to CJ Smith with 2:58 left made it 30-14.

UAB scored first with Delange's 44-yard field goal on the game's first drive. Gabarri Johnson threw a four-yard touchdown to Marquise Henderson to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-3. Before the end of the first quarter, EJ Reid ran it in from 36 yards out to put the Blazers in front 10-7.

In the second, Delange added to UAB's lead with a 46-yard field goal. On the move to extend the lead, Samford's LaShong Young forced a fumble on running back Rod Robinson II before Jalen Nelson completed the scoop-and-score, returning it 95 yards for a 14-13 Bulldogs lead.

UAB recaptured the lead six minutes into the second with a 23-yard field goal for a 16-14 lead.

Johnson threw for 140 yards and a touchdown for Samford but was picked off by UAB's Ike Esonwune, Jeremiah Jordan and Delvon Gulley.