Away from home and facing off against a key conference rival, the UAB Blazers suffered another disheartening loss to the Memphis Tigers. As the season continues to spiral downward with a series of costly errors, head coach Trent Dilfer has made it abundantly clear that the season has effectively come to an end. At this point, there is little left to do but reach the finish line, whether that comes with a victory or another defeat. The Blazers’ performance has been a stark reminder of the challenges they’ve faced this year, and the road ahead looks like a mere formality in what has become a forgettable season.
Photo Cred: UAB
With the season winding down, it’s expected that junior Jalen Kitna will continue to start at quarterback, as there is no reason to rush the recovery of UAB’s official starter, Jacob Zeno, who is still recovering from injury. Kitna’s performance against Memphis showed flashes of potential, though it was clear that he still has much to learn. He passed for 253 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His mistakes were a result of poor decision-making both in the pocket and while scrambling, an area he will need to improve on if he is to become the leader this team needs in the future. There is definitely promise in the former Florida Gator, but his development will take time, and he will need the rest of the season to grow, both on the field and off.
Despite the lopsided 35-point loss, the receivers put together an impressive performance. Freshman standout Corri Milliner continued to shine, hauling in three receptions for 74 yards. Behind him, a number of other receivers also ran crisp routes, caught passes at a high rate, and made plays when needed. Their efforts were admirable, especially considering the struggles of the rest of the offense. The Blazers’ wideouts have shown they can perform at a high level, even if the team’s overall offensive performance didn’t reflect that on the scoreboard.
Photo Cred: UAB
On the defensive side of the ball, the Blazers struggles were painfully evident. There seems to be no clear starting point for what needs to be fixed. The defensive line failed to contain Memphis’ running back, Mario Anderson Jr., allowing him to rack up 138 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the defensive backs were often caught flat-footed, unable to prevent the Tigers’ passing attack from marching up and down the field. They gave up nearly 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns to what is likely the best offense in the American Athletic Conference. The defensive unit as a whole has significant work to do, and with only a few games left in the season, it’s unclear if they can make any meaningful progress before the end of the year.
The Blazers ended the season on positive note against the Rice Owls. The victory is a much-needed morale booster for Dilfer and his players. It could provide a sense of accomplishment and help build some momentum for the offseason, despite the team’s disappointing record.
Photo Cred: UAB
As the season draws to a close, the Blazers find themselves in a challenging position. The focus will likely shift from trying to salvage the remainder of the year to evaluating players and coaches for the future. However, regardless of the outcome of the final games, the Blazers’ 2024 season has been a trying one—full of growing pains, missed opportunities, and lessons to be learned.
