A tumultuous football season for UAB took a bizarre turn Saturday when two players were stabbed in the team’s facility ahead of its game against USF.
The incident occurred in the morning at the UAB Football Operations Center, which — unlike UAB’s stadium — is on campus. Both players were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and one suspect was taken into custody.
UAB sits at 3-7 and is playing under interim coach Alex Mortensen after Trent Dilfer was fired in October.
Here’s what we know about the stabbing that injured two UAB football players.
UAB football stabbing updates
UAB police confirmed two individuals were stabbed inside the football facility on Saturday morning, with both players taken to a local hospital but expected to survive.
"UAB Police and Public Safety is investigating an assault that took place this morning at the Football Operations Center. Injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The suspect is in custody, and there is no threat to campus," the school's police department said in a statement.
From UAB Athletics:
— Jonathon Hoppe (@jahop23) November 22, 2025
UAB Police and Public Safety is investigating an assault that took place this morning at the Football Operations Center. Injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The suspect is in custody, and there is no threat to campus. @WBRCnews pic.twitter.com/hsWOptDeCl
Who were the UAB football players stabbed?
UAB confirmed two players were injured in a stabbing on Saturday morning, but the names of the players have not been released.
Who stabbed two UAB football players?
UAB confirmed that a player was taken into custody as the suspect in the stabbings but did not release the player's name.
"We’re grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning at the Football Operations Building are in stable condition. Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover. The suspect — another player — remains in custody," UAB said in a statement.
While UAB declined to release the suspect's name, CBS Sports reported jail records show sophomore offensive lineman Daniel Mincey was booked on aggravated assault and attempted murder charges Saturday.
Mincey spent his true freshman season at Kentucky and redshirted before transferring to UAB, where he has yet to appear in a game.
Did UAB still play?
UAB decided to play its 3 p.m. ET game against South Florida.
“The team elected to play today’s game,” the school said in a statement Saturday. “UAB’s top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students. Given patient privacy and the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time.”
The Blazers lost 48-18 to USF, but interim head coach Alex Mortensen said his team wanted to play despite the incident. UAB was holding its annual Senior Day during the last home game of the season.
"The team as a whole decided they wanted to play today, but we had several players who understandably chose to sit out, and we certainly respect that decision," Mortensen said after the game. "Our priority remains the health and well-being of our student-athletes, and we want to make sure they have access to take advantage of the support and resources available to them. I'm really proud of this team—the way they came together and competed today, even with heavy hearts. This allowed our seniors to compete in their last game ever at Protective, and it's a testament to our team's dedication to each other and to UAB.
"We talked, we spoke with the team, and those guys really wanted to play today. The conversation went back to the seniors. With it being Senior Day, they wanted to go play for them and give them an opportunity to play."
He added that he was grateful the players were both in stable condition.