Second Half Struggles Hinder UAB in 24-17 Loss at Rice

Saturday, November 8

Houston, TX

1 p.m. CT

UAB

3-6 , 1-4

Rice

5-5 , 2-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UAB

Rice

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

Second Half Struggles Hinder UAB in 24-17 Loss at Rice

11/8/2025 5:24:00 PM | Football

Box Score Rice 24, UAB 17 2025 UAB Football Stats Rice Postgame Notes

HOUSTON – Despite holding Rice to just 232 yards of total offense, the UAB football team suffered a 24-17 loss to the Owls on Saturday afternoon at Rice Stadium.

The Blazers (3-6, 1-4 American) led 17-14 at halftime but were unable to score in the second half. UAB committed nine of its 11 penalties in the second half which ultimately led to Rice (5-5, 2-4 American) being able to hold on for the win.

On defense, 24 different UAB players had at least one tackle, which was led by defensive lineman Jonathan Allen who had a career high 10 stops and a sack. Both Devin Hightower and Tylan McNichols added nine tackles.

Quarterback Ryder Burton was 18-of-34 for 213 yards and two touchdowns but was only 7-of-20 for 79 yards in the second half. Iverson Hooks led the receivers with six catches for 89 yard and a touchdown and almost tied the game late with a punt return, but a shoe-string tackle held the return to just 28 yards instead of tying the game with 2:32 left.

UAB struck first on a 26-yard pass from Burton to Hooks, and it was set up by the Blazers' defense as Amorie Morrison forced a fumble which Tylan McNichols recovered at the plus 34. The Blazers scored two plays later at the 11:08 mark of the opening quarter.

Rice took a 14-7 lead with a 23-yard passing touchdowns at the 6:23 mark of the first quarter, followed by a 1-yard run with 10:47 left in the half.

UAB then closed the half very strong with a 14-play drive that took up eight minutes and resulted in a field goal. UAB then got a fourth down stop and turned that into seven as Burton improvised to find Brandon Hawkins Jr. on a 21-yard touchdown with :3 left for a 17-14 halftime lead.

Rice took its first possession of the second half straight down the field and was helped out by two UAB personal fouls which resulted in a 3-yard touchdown pass as the Owls regained the lead 21-17 with 9:29 left in the third.

Penalties continued to plague the Blazers as a running into the kicker flag gave Rice another field goal attempt which was good from 38 yards as the Owls increased their lead to 24-17 with 1:00 left in the third.

UAB had opportunities in the fourth quarter to tie the game but was unable to consistently move down the field along with untimely sacks which halted drives. Rice had five sacks total.

The Blazers now return to Protective Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 15, to host league-leading North Texas. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.