UAB beat Navy 24-20 on Friday as running back Bam McReynolds broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run with 10:36 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Blazers a lead they never relinquished.
McReynolds finished with 71 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, providing the difference for a UAB offense that also got 174 passing yards and a score from Ryder Burton, who connected with Ty Mims for 76 yards and a touchdown on just three receptions. For Navy, quarterback Jackson Gutierrez carried the offense on the ground, rushing 34 times for 134 yards and a touchdown while adding 104 passing yards, but two fumbles — one each by Gutierrez and Michael Barrow — proved costly.
The Midshipmen rallied to take a 20-17 lead before McReynolds' decisive burst erased it. Navy's defense showed flashes, with MarcAnthony Parker recording three sacks and 10 total tackles, and kicker Nolan Bartley converted both of his field goal attempts, but the Blazers overcame an early deficit to secure the victory.
Navy drops the loss heading into a matchup with Air Force on Saturday, October 3.