Jonah Delange made all four field goals and both extra points in UAB's 26-20 win over UL Monroe, supplying 14 points. Alex Mortensen praised his kicker, then called for more possessions to end in touchdowns. Delange did everything asked of him. The offense needs to ask less.
UAB visits Louisiana on Saturday, September 19, at 7 p.m. Central on ESPN+. The Blazers have a 41% chance to win, enough to make this a very attainable road victory, with Louisiana still favored. Explore UAB's forecast in the interactive guide and how the probabilities are calculated in the methodology.
Mortensen inherited the head-coaching job after UAB dismissed Trent Dilfer following a 2-4 start in 2025, first serving as interim coach before getting the permanent appointment. Promoting the offensive coordinator preserved familiarity on that side of the ball, but the players supplying the yards had to change. UAB's spring preview reported just 5% of the previous season's rushing production and 7% of its wide-receiver receptions returning.
Roderick Robinson II and Braylon McReynolds are giving that rebuilt offense something dependable to use. They led UAB's rushing at Illinois with 59 and 56 yards, respectively. Against ULM, Robinson carried 21 times for 114 yards; McReynolds added 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. UAB finished with 266 rushing yards.
Ryder Burton supplied the throw that turned the comeback. His 43-yard touchdown to EJ Reid put UAB ahead. Ike Esonwune intercepted Austin Carlisle on ULM's next possession, and the offense then burned 4:40 before Delange's final field goal. UAB scored the final 16 points, a stretch in which the offense and defense helped each other finish the game.
Across the rest of Burton's passing day, though, he completed seven throws for 72 yards. His full line was 8 of 16 for 115 yards with an interception and three sacks. The next step is for Burton to contribute throughout drives, giving Mortensen more ways to turn the backs' work into touchdowns.
Keyon Cox started against ULM while Payton Kirkland did not participate. UAB needs Cox to keep Burton upright as well as open lanes for Robinson and McReynolds. The Louisiana-week depth chart lists Cox first at left tackle and Kirkland second; that listing does not establish a return date for Kirkland.
Louisiana offers an opening. USC rushed for 214 yards, converted 11 of 15 third downs and allowed no sacks against the Cajuns. UAB should have reason to keep feeding its backs and opportunities to extend possessions through the air. Cashing those possessions in matters because Louisiana can threaten UAB with its own quarterback's legs.
Todd Grantham emphasized pressure and turnovers when installing his defense in spring. Against ULM, Tylin Jackson and Marlin Dean supplied two sacks, Esonwune delivered the season's first takeaway, and UAB allowed no points over the final 25:24. Those were tangible returns on that approach. But Carlisle rushed for 93 of ULM's 201 yards on the ground.
Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield just rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns at USC while throwing for 212 yards and another score without an interception. UAB needs to pressure him without surrendering the running lanes that let a quarterback keep possessions alive. If Winfield keeps producing with both his arm and legs, settling for field goals could leave the Blazers chasing touchdowns again.
UAB has only six days after Louisiana before its American opener against Navy on Friday, September 25. Mortensen's offense can make that short week much easier to approach by turning sustained rushing into end-zone trips on Saturday.