They did it wearing the names of children on their jerseys.

Sick children. Hurting children. Healing children. In memory of some children.

That’s what makes this truly special.

UAB defeated North Texas 29-21 on Saturday night to take commanding control of Conference USA’s Western Division, and the Blazers did it wearing their Children’s Harbor homecoming jerseys that honor that non-profit’s special mission, making kids feel better.

It was the biggest victory for UAB since its return to football, but it was so much more than that.

This was about Antonie McGee, whose name was on the back of linebacker Stacy Keeley’s jersey when he batted away a passing attempt by North Texas quarterback Mason Fine on fourth and 1 to preserve UAB’s fourth-quarter lead.

This was about Antonio Campbell, whose name was on the back of nose tackle Anthony Rush’s jersey when he forced Fine to fumble inside the five-yard line.

This was about Carter Smith, whose name was on the back of kicker Nick Vogel’s jersey when he gave UAB a 29-21 lead with a 26-yard field goal.

This was about “Jack-Jack” Thomas, whose name was on the back of quarterback A.J. Erdely’s jersey when he pounded out those tough first downs in the first half to keep UAB in the game, and then again late in the fourth quarter when Erdely’s toughness set up Vogel’s field goal.

This night was about Bryant Lay, whose name was on the back of Chris Woolbright’s jersey when he tattooed North Texas running back Nic Smith with a bone-crushing tackle. And this night was about Trey White, whose name was on the back of the jersey of defensive tackle Garrett Marino when he sacked Fine on North Texas’ first play of the game.

That Marino sack was a nice opening act, but Fine is one of the better quarterbacks in the country and he took UAB’s defense to school in the first half. But UAB adjusted. It stuffed Fine on fourth and 2 to begin the third quarter, and then again on that crucial turnover on downs in the fourth quarter.

UAB trailed 21-10 at halftime, but shut out North Texas’ potent offense in the second half. The Blazers entered the game ranked third in the country in passing defense (134.8), but Fine torched Legion Field for 212 passing yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone.

After Keeley’s pass deflection to turnover North Texas on downs with 12:11 left in the game, UAB coach Bill Clark turned to UAB’s homecoming crowd and punched his fist into the air. Legion Field erupted.

These are the kind of nights when traditions are made, and programs are forged.

And UAB might never lose at home.

The Blazers are undefeated at Legion Field (10-0) since their return to football, and they’ve now won five in a row overall for the first time since turning D-I in 1996.

UAB isn’t supposed to be this good, but it’s never been better. UAB isn’t supposed to exist, but it lives and fights and wears its Children’s Harbor jerseys with pride on a perfect autumn night in Birmingham.

When UAB brought its team back, no one expected it to be competing for championships in its second season. Just having a pulse was a success.

Since the resurrection, the Blazers set a program record for wins (eight) in a season in Year One, and now, in Year Two, have played itself into the driver’s seat for the CUSA championship game. UAB (6-1, 4-0) could host it if they keep winning. North Texas was the favorite to win the division at the beginning of the season, and UAB holds the tie-breaker against second-place Louisiana Tech after defeating the Bulldogs on the road.

Is this the biggest moment for UAB football since The Return? The Blazers have never started a season 6-1.

“Last year was such a miracle,” UAB coach Bill Clark said. “They picked us to finish at 130 and we won eight games. There were times last year where I was just amazed. This is up there. This happens when there is no overlooking. There are no excuses or anything else.

“That’s what I got to hear at the conference meetings. They said that some people overlooked us last year. That was a point of pride for us. It’s a pretty big deal to do this for Children’s Harbor. I don’t know if it is the biggest, but it’s one of them. It’s definitely one of them.”

There was a time when getting to six wins would have been the biggest story of the season for UAB. The Blazers are bowl eligible after Saturday’s win, but all that seems like an afterthought.

This is a new era for UAB football, and playing for championships is the new normal. Playing for Children's Harbor is the new tradition.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group. He’s on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.