Away from home, against a tough conference rival, the UAB Blazers endured another disappointing loss to the Memphis Tigers. With each passing game, the mounting errors and setbacks have left head coach Trent Dilfer with little optimism for the remainder of the season. Dilfer has openly acknowledged that, for all practical purposes, the season is essentially over. The team’s focus now seems to be simply reaching the finish line, whether that be through a winning or losing record.
Photo Cred: UAB
The conclusion of the season will likely see junior quarterback Jalen Kitna leading the charge for the Blazers. With starting quarterback Jacob Zeno still recovering, there is little incentive to rush his return, and Kitna’s performance against Memphis demonstrated that he is still in the process of adapting to college football. Kitna threw for 253 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. While his numbers were not disastrous, his mistakes were evident. The two interceptions were a result of poor decision-making both in the pocket and on the run, illustrating that he still has a long way to go in terms of maturity and decision-making.
Despite these missteps, there’s potential in Kitna, who transferred from Florida, and with time and experience, he could develop into a reliable option for the Blazers. Despite the 35-point defeat, UAB’s receiving corps had a strong outing. Freshman standout Corri Milliner once again showed his talent, hauling in three receptions for 74 yards. Milliner has emerged as a bright spot in what has otherwise been a challenging season.
Behind him, several other receivers also turned in solid performances, running crisp routes and making catches at a high rate. They displayed resilience, continuing to play hard despite the overwhelming odds. Their efforts, especially in a game where the offense as a whole struggled, deserve recognition. On the defensive side of the ball, the Blazers’ struggles were more pronounced. There seems to be no clear starting point when it comes to addressing the defensive woes, as multiple facets of the unit failed to show up in Memphis.
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The defensive line was overmatched, allowing senior running back Mario Anderson Jr. to rush for 138 yards and a touchdown, further exposing the Blazers’ inability to stop the run. Meanwhile, the secondary was equally ineffective, with UAB’s defensive backs often found on the wrong end of highlight-reel plays. They allowed nearly 300 passing yards and four touchdowns to a Memphis offense that is considered one of the best in the American Athletic Conference. The defensive performance was abysmal, and it will be a long road ahead to fix what appears to be a unit in disarray.
Looking ahead, the Blazers face one of their final chances for a win next Saturday against the Rice Owls, who enter the game with a 3-7 record. While the outcome of the game will have no bearing on bowl eligibility, a victory could serve as a much-needed confidence booster for both Dilfer and the team as they wrap up a difficult season. The players need to find something positive to build on for next year, and a win over Rice could provide just that.
However, a loss would further highlight the team’s struggles and could lead to larger changes within the program. It would signal issues with recruiting, performance, and perhaps a shift in coaching strategy that could extend beyond the current season. Regardless of the result, it’s clear that UAB will need a major overhaul if they hope to compete more effectively in the future.
