The reclassification was a result of the NCAA prohibiting a school's athletic program from being multi-divisional, and since UAB already competed in Division I in other sports, the move became necessary. In their first game as a I-AA team, the Blazers would lose to Troy State 37–3 before a home crowd on September 6, 1993.
The NCAA's rule change and UAB's existing Division I participation in other sports necessitated the reclassification to I-AA status. The Blazers' first game as an I-AA team was a loss against Troy State on September 6, 1993.