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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Alex Mortensen’s first full season leading UAB now includes an accomplishment the program had been chasing since 2022.
The Blazers became bowl eligible Saturday with a commanding 36-10 victory at Temple, improving to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in American Conference play. It marked UAB’s first road win of the season and its first time reaching bowl eligibility since joining the conference.
For Mortensen, the son of the late ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen, the victory represents another step forward after taking over the program midway through last season.
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He went 2-4 as interim head coach during the final six games of 2025 before receiving the permanent job in December. With six victories this season, Mortensen has now guided UAB to eight wins overall.
Saturday’s breakthrough came behind a running game Temple could not contain.
Rod Robinson II rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries, scoring from nine, 33 and 54 yards. UAB finished with 366 rushing yards and a season-high 499 yards of total offense while controlling possession for more than 37 minutes.
“Rod did get hot, and he ran really well,” Mortensen said.
The Blazers led just 13-10 at halftime before outscoring Temple 23-0 over the final two quarters. Defensive lineman Marlin Dean contributed eight tackles and a sack as UAB pulled away to reach the six-win threshold with two regular-season games remaining.
The defense allowed only 244 total yards and 85 passing yards. UAB has held every opponent this season below 200 yards through the air, giving Mortensen’s team a dependable strength as it works toward a winning season.
The result also reconnects the Blazers with their recent postseason history. Their last bowl appearance came after the 2022 season, when they defeated Miami (Ohio) 24-20 in the Bahamas Bowl. Saturday ensured this team reached the eligibility standard that had remained out of reach in the intervening seasons.
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There is still another milestone available before a bowl destination is determined.
UAB hosts UTSA on Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU, entering its home finale with a 5-0 record at Protective Stadium. A victory would give the Blazers their first unbeaten home season since 2019 and their first since moving into the stadium in 2021.
They then close the regular season at North Texas on Nov. 28.
Mortensen has already helped UAB clear a hurdle it had not overcome in four years. The final two weeks offer a chance to make this breakthrough season even more meaningful.
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