UAB Falls, 38-24, In AAC Opener To Navy That Featured Two One-Hour Weather Delays
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 7, 2025
NAVY 38, UAB 24
WHAT IT MEANS: UAB moves on without a road victory under Trent Dilfer.
WHEN THE GAME TURNED: Perhaps it turned once the clock began in the second half began. Second half problems struck again for the Blazers, who were close to perfect offensively in the first half. UAB gained just 140 yards on 33 second half snaps and committed its first three turnovers of the season. Jonah Delange’s missed field goal on the opening second half drive and Iverson Hooks lost fudsmble after a defensive stop set the tone for the final 30 minutes.
WHY UAB LOST: The Blazers lost the turnover battle – 3-0 – and had trouble stopping the Navy offense for the most part. Both teams had three touchdowns and a field goal in the first half. UAB’s six second half possessions ended with three turnovers, a turnover on downs, a missed field goal and Patrick Foley’s only punt of the season. Navy scored touchdowns on two of its first three sessions.
WHAT ARE THE KEY STATS: Jalen Kitna was 22-of-32 for 304 yards with a pair of first half touchdown passes. Most of that production came before halftime. In the second half, he was 12-of-20 for 116 yards with his first two interceptions of the season. Losing the running game battle is not uncommon against Navy but it hurt that the Blazers weren’t effective on the ground for big chunks of the game. Navy rushed for 295 yards on 51 carries while UAB had 27 rushes for 92 yards. Jevon Jackson didn’t have a spectacular game like he did in the opener but he was solid with 66 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.
WHO GETS THE GAME BALLS: Navy’s best player on offense and top player on defense had big days. That’s generally part of a winning formula. Quarterback Blake Horvath accounted for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Nose tackle Landon Robinson had 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry.
WHERE IS UAB’S NEXT ASSIGNMENT: UAB returns to Protective Stadium for a non-conference game against Akron with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. Akron has been outscored, 78-0, in the first two games.