In a heart-wrenching collapse on Saturday afternoon, the UAB Blazers saw a 17-point lead evaporate in the second half, ultimately falling to the UCONN Huskies in front of 18,000 fans at Protective Stadium. The loss not only pushed the Blazers to a 2-7 record but also officially eliminated them from bowl contention for the 2024 season. Head coach Trent Dilfer entered halftime with high hopes, having seen his team dominate early, only to watch those hopes unravel in the final two quarters as UCONN scored three unanswered touchdowns to steal the victory.
Photo Cred: AL.com
The game began promisingly for UAB, with a fast start in the first half, but the second half told a different story. Junior quarterback Jalen Kitna, coming off a historic performance in the previous week, struggled as the game wore on. His once-promising play faltered as the Huskies adjusted their defense, and the incompletions began to mount. Kitna, who had been a bright spot for the Blazers this season, finished the game with 233 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His turnover total for the season now stands at 10 in just five games, raising concerns about his consistency and decision-making moving forward.
Despite Kitna’s struggles, UAB’s receiving corps continued to show promise. Three different receivers recorded over 50 yards, with freshman standout Corri Milliner leading the charge. Milliner, who had already made a name for himself this season, delivered a key touchdown reception in the second quarter, showing flashes of brilliance that suggest a bright future for the young playmaker. However, it wasn’t enough to offset the offensive struggles that emerged in the second half.
Photo Cred: AL.com
The Blazers’ ground game, led by running back Lee Beebe Jr., was one of the few bright spots for UAB in this frustrating loss. Beebe, who had a rough outing the previous week, bounced back in impressive fashion with 136 total scrimmage yards. His 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave UAB a commanding 17-point lead heading into the halftime break. But as the game wore on, the Blazers’ inability to capitalize on their momentum and close out drives became a major factor in their demise.
Defensively, UAB continued to struggle with consistency. Despite early success in keeping UCONN’s offense at bay, the Blazers’ defense faltered when it mattered most. The Huskies made key adjustments at halftime, and their running back, Cam Edwards, took full advantage. Edwards, a sophomore, averaged an impressive 7.5 yards per carry on 11 attempts, finishing with 82 rushing yards and a pivotal touchdown in the fourth quarter that brought UCONN back into the game.
The Blazers’ defense simply couldn’t get stops when they needed them, allowing the Huskies to score 21 unanswered points and complete the stunning comeback. With the loss, UAB’s playoff aspirations have officially been dashed, and their focus now shifts to finishing the season on a positive note. But with tough matchups still ahead, including a road trip to face the 8-2 Memphis Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the Blazers face an uphill battle.
Photo Cred: UAB
While Memphis is favored to win, head coach Trent Dilfer and his team have a chance to make a statement against one of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference. However, another defeat would only add to the mounting pressure on Dilfer and his staff as the team inches closer to the offseason. With questions surrounding both the offensive and defensive units, significant changes could be on the horizon for the Blazers as they look to rebuild and recover for the 2025 season.
