UAB Football Players Hit Breaking Point, Revolt Against Trent Dilfer

The Trent Dilfer era at UAB has been nothing short of a disaster, and Saturday’s performance only underscored the dysfunction. It would be shocking if the second-year head coach retains his job past this week.

Players on the sidelines looked visibly dejected during yet another demoralizing loss.

Army, hosting the AAC showdown in West Point, entered the game with a perfect 5-0 record and legitimate hopes of earning a College Football Playoff spot as one of the top-ranked conference champions. The Black Knights were heavy favorites, expected to win by 26.5 points, against a struggling 1-4 UAB squad that has shown little fight since its Week 1 victory over an FCS opponent.

Earlier in the season, UAB suffered a 41-18 loss to Navy, and their second encounter with a service academy proved just as disastrous. Dilfer’s team quickly found themselves trailing 20-3 by the end of the first quarter.

The Blazers appeared completely deflated, essentially conceding less than five minutes into the game after Army quarterback Bryson Daily stiff-armed a defender on his way to the end zone.

The linebacker had to be helped off the field after the play.

Not long after the touchdown, CBS Sports sideline reporter Tina Cervasio commented on the stark contrast in team energy. Army was buzzing with enthusiasm, while UAB’s sideline seemed lifeless.

Cervasio even remarked that the Blazers’ players “looked sad” — and this was just after one touchdown.

Clearly, UAB had given up. With three goals from Daily in the first quarter alone, the Black Knights were only getting warmed up. They had a lead of more than 30 points going into halftime.

The UAB players formally gave up on Trent Dilfer on Saturday after yet another crushing defeat. It was evident from their body language that any hope for a change had been extinguished. There is no longer any hope of winning a conference championship or making it to the bowl game.