UAB Blazers Rally to Defeat East Carolina Pirates
The Blazers secured a victory in Birmingham after forcing a late tie and scoring a touchdown in overtime.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Football
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The UAB Blazers overcame a deficit to defeat the East Carolina Pirates 30-17 in an overtime contest held in Birmingham. A late rally in regulation allowed the Blazers to force overtime before sealing the win with a defensive stop.
Why it matters
The comeback victory highlights the resilience of the Blazers during a critical stretch of the college football season. This win keeps the team competitive as conference play intensifies.
The game was tied 17-17 with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter after the Blazers successfully executed a 2-point conversion. Noah Perez contributed to the scoring efforts with a 43-yard field goal.
The players
UAB Blazers
The UAB Blazers are the college football team representing the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
East Carolina Pirates
The East Carolina Pirates represent East Carolina University in collegiate athletic competition.
Dawson Quarterman
Dawson Quarterman is a player for the Pirates who recorded his first career touchdown during the game.
Noah Perez
Noah Perez is a kicker who successfully converted a 43-yard field goal during the contest.
The details
The Pirates, who recently won against Rice on October 10, initially controlled the momentum with a 14-0 lead. The Blazers shifted the outcome by scoring a touchdown and a 2-point conversion in the closing minutes of regulation, followed by an interception on the Pirates' possession in overtime that led to the winning score.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: The Pirates defeated Rice in a conference game.
October 15, 2026: The Blazers and Pirates faced off in Birmingham.
Season Trajectory
This win alters the standings in the 2026 conference schedule and impacts the postseason outlook for both programs. The result forces a shift in rankings as teams look to maintain position heading into the final stretch of the year.
The Blazers' victory provides a necessary boost to their conference win-loss record as they jockey for divisional positioning. Fantasy participants should note the contribution of Noah Perez in the scoring column for future roster projections.
The takeaway
Close conference games often turn on singular defensive plays during the final minutes of regulation or overtime periods. Fans should expect continued volatility in standings as the season reaches its final weeks.
Further reading
For more on the latest team standings, visit the Football section.
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