A hungry and motivated UAB Blazers squad dominated the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, 59-21, on Saturday afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama. This commanding victory marks the team’s most impressive performance of the season, as the Blazers have been looking to turn the corner after some early-season struggles. The win was especially sweet for UAB, who had all but lost hope of reaching their goals.
Photo Cred: UAB
In contrast, Tulsa left Protective Stadium with the sting of defeat, adding another loss to their ongoing six-game losing streak. The Golden Hurricanes, once hopeful for a turnaround, now face a challenging road ahead. Junior quarterback Jalen Kitna, stepping in for the injured Jacob Zeno, delivered a sensational performance in the win. Kitna was nothing short of spectacular, throwing for 404 yards and a school-record six touchdowns, completing 23 of 30 passes with just seven incompletions.
His ability to read defenses and anticipate coverage allowed his receivers to thrive, and he looked poised throughout the game. Kitna’s performance was a standout, providing the spark the offense needed to explode for nearly 60 points. While the game was largely a showcase of the Blazers’ aerial attack, star running back Lee Beebe Jr. still contributed with 10 carries for 54 yards. Despite the limited touches, the receiving corps—led by the dynamic duo of Kam Shanks and Amare Thomas—stole the show.
Photo Cred: UAB
Together, they combined for 13 catches, 237 yards, and five touchdowns. Shanks and Thomas were virtually unstoppable, finding themselves open at will, making it look like they were playing a game of backyard football with no defenders in sight. The Blazers’ defense showed improvement but was not as sharp as they would have liked. Despite holding Tulsa to just 187 rushing yards, they allowed the Golden Hurricanes’ star receiver, Joseph Williams, to finish with over 100 yards and a touchdown.
While the defense still has room to grow, this performance represented a step forward. UAB will need to tighten up defensively as they look to make a run in the latter half of the season. With Kitna and the offense finally hitting their stride, UAB has the chance to gain momentum with a crucial game against UCONN next Saturday. The Huskies, sitting at 6-3, have been one of the surprise teams of the season, making this a potential statement game for head coach Trent Dilfer and the Blazers.
A win would not only solidify UAB’s offensive resurgence but also give them a chance to build a winning streak and reassert themselves as a force to be reckoned with. To do so, the Blazers will need to clean up their mistakes on both sides of the ball and put together a flawless performance in front of their home crowd. The stakes are high, but if UAB can continue to improve, the future looks bright.
