BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Ryder Burton threw three touchdown passes in his first career start and UAB ended No. 22 Memphis’ 10-game winning streak — the longest active run in the nation — with a 31-24 victory on Saturday at Protective Stadium, making a winner of interim head coach Alex Mortensen in his first game in that role.

Burton, a freshman making his debut under center, completed 20 of 27 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, all to wide receiver Iverson Hooks, who finished with 11 receptions for 172 yards. Burton also directed scoring drives of 75, 79, and 99 yards as the Blazers (3-4, 1-3 American) built and protected multiple leads against one of the nation’s hottest teams .

Hooks caught touchdowns of 15, 16, and 20 yards, the last coming with 4:06 left in the game to extend UAB’s lead to 31-17. His 20-yard score capped an 11-play, 99-yard drive that consumed more than six minutes.

Running back Solomon Beebe provided balance with 106 yards rushing, including an 81-yard touchdown in the third quarter that gave UAB a 24-14 advantage .

Memphis (6-1, 2-1 American) entered ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll and had not lost since last October, but its offense sputtered after starting quarterback Brendon Lewis left with an injury early in the third quarter. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 68 yards before giving way to A.J. Hill, who threw for 175 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-25 passing in relief .

Running back Greg Desrosiers Jr., a key two-way threat, carried 11 times for 74 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 40 yards, while Sutton Smith returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to immediately answer UAB’s opening score .

Hill connected with Christian Ross for a 37-yard touchdown with 2:19 remaining, cutting the deficit to 31-24, but Memphis’ last drive stalled inside UAB territory as Hill’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 15 seconds left.

UAB outgained Memphis 470–362 in total yards and dominated possession time, 35:05 to 24:55. The Blazers converted 9 of 13 third downs and scored on all four trips inside the red zone .

Defensively, UAB’s Jeremiah Vessel recorded the team’s lone sack, while linebacker Tylan McNichols led with seven tackles and a pass breakup. Memphis linebacker Drue Watts had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery .