Viral Moments Draw Added Attention To UAB’s 56-24 loss to Tennessee

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 21, 2025

UAB head coach Trent Dilfer and safety Sirad Bryant were caught up in separate moments that went viral on social media during Saturday’s 56-24 loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

Dilfer was criticized on social media for using his cell phone on the sideline just before kickoff on sideline. In a moment caught by television cameras, Dilfer appeared to be sending a text and taking a video after the Blazers came to the sideline to prepare for the opening kickoff. The ball had not been kicked off when Dilfer was using his phone.

“My phone is on the sideline every game,” Dilfer said. “I have a daughter who is getting ready to give birth and I wanted to show her the environment. And I also facetime or send a video to my grandson.”

Tennessee scored on all three of its first quarter drives. After the third score, Bryant stepped around Tennessee holder Jackson Ross and stomped on the right foot of kicker Max Gilbert. Bryant was assessed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play but was not ejected from the game. Afterward, Dilfer was asked about the play.

“I’ve seen an Instagram video of it, I’m not happy with it,” Dilfer said in his postgame press conference. “I want to get the full video of it and he will be disciplined because of it.”

It is unclear what the discipline will consist of at this point.

On Saturday night, Bryant posted an apology on his Instagram account.

“First off I would like to apologize to Max Gilbert for stepping on his foot,” Bryant wrote on the post. “Not only that, I would like to apologize to my teammates, coaches and also to Blazer Nation. What I did was inexcusable no matter the circumstances. I am better than that and take full accountability for my actions. It is not a representation of who I am as a player and person.”