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'I'm not happy with it': UAB coach Trent Dilfer says player will be punished for stomp

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey09/20/25GrantRamey
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | UAB coach Trent Dilfer during a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | UAB coach Trent Dilfer during a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025.

UAB coach Trent Dilfer said Saturday after his team’s 56-24 loss at No. 15 Tennessee that safety Sirad Bryant will be punished for stomping on the foot of Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert after an extra point, drawing a personal foul.

“I’ve seen an Instagram video of it, I’m not happy with it,” Dilfer said after the game. “I want to get the full video of it, and he will be disciplined because of it.”

After the Vols scored their third touchdown of the first quarter, Bryant was seen going out of his way to stomp on Gilbert’s foot after he kicked an extra point to put the Vols up 21-0 late in the first quarter. 

Tennessee punter Jackson Ross, who holds for Gilbert on field goal attempts, went after Bryant and had to be held back after seeing the stomp. 

Tennessee had just completed a five-play, 45-yard touchdown drive before the extra point, building the lead to 21-0 thanks to a 3-yard DeSean Bishop touchdown run.

The Vols scored another 21 points in the second quarter, building a 42-7 halftime lead, then extending the lead to 56-10 in the third quarter.

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar was 15-for-22 for 218 yards and had three touchdowns before being pulled in the third quarter. The Vols rushed 43 times for 235 yards and had four rushing touchdowns as a team.

Bishop had nine carries for 59 yards and two touchdown, Peyton Lewis had 11 carries for 81 yards and a score and Star Thomas had nine carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Chris Brazzell II caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, giving him six over his last three games, and Mike Matthews had three catches for 53 yards and a score.

“Not a ton to talk about,” Dilfer said to start his postgame press conference. “That’s a really good football team. Very talented, very well-coached. I think that’s the thing that stands out: the quality of their systems, their schemes, how disciplined their players are. They did a great job and overwhelmed us early in the game and then it was just about trying to compete the best we could the rest of the game.”

UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna was 38-for-51 for 364 yards and two touchdowns in the loss, throwing a 30-yard touchdown in the second quarter and a 61-yarder in the third. The Blazers had just 23 rushing yards on 19 attempts as a team.

“I think offensively,” Dilfer said, “we know we can throw the football. We don’t want to throw it that much, but we know we can. To be able to throw it, for whatever 300 yards or something against that defense, only turn over one time, the quarterback only turned over one time, and that I would argue it’s not even his fault. It says a lot about our ability if we need to lead with a pass.”