Samford Will Face UAB at Protective Stadium on Saturday
The local rivals will meet in Birmingham for their first football matchup since 1992.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football
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Samford and UAB will compete at Protective Stadium this Saturday, October 3, 2026. Kickoff for the matchup between the two Birmingham schools is set for 2:30 p.m. with the game available on ESPN+.
Why it matters
The coaching staff views this game as a critical measuring stick for the current talent level of the program. With only 3 miles separating the two campuses, the meeting serves as a high-stakes local test for both teams.
UAB is coming off a 24-20 victory against Navy, while Samford enters after defeating VMI 45-7. UAB has integrated nearly 70 new players into its roster this season.
The players
Samford
Samford is a university currently holding a 1-3 record for the football season.
UAB
UAB is a university football program that maintains a 2-2 record this season.
The details
The teams previously met once in 1992, where Samford defeated UAB 49-3 in Homewood. Samford will pivot to six Southern Conference games following this matchup and conclude their regular season against Auburn.
Timeline
October 31, 1992: Samford defeated UAB 49-3 in Homewood.
October 3, 2026: Samford and UAB play at Protective Stadium.
September 25, 2027: UAB hosts Samford in Birmingham.
Season Trajectory
This game breaks a decades-long hiatus in the local series, shifting the focus toward long-term regional standing. The result will serve as a definitive benchmark for both teams as they head into their respective conference and non-conference schedules.
The game will determine momentum for Samford ahead of their six remaining Southern Conference contests. UAB will utilize this game to evaluate the performance of their nearly 70 new roster additions.
The takeaway
This local rivalry provides a rare opportunity for both schools to test their depth in a high-profile stadium setting. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how these programs measure up against one another after a 34-year absence.
What happens next
UAB will host Samford for a future meeting on September 25, 2027.
Further reading
For more background on regional matchups, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Al.
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