UAB faces Tulane in desperate need of a win

From one American Athletic Conference participant to the next.

Last week, the UAB Blazers hosted Navy to open the conference portion of the 2024 season. The Blazers stumbled to a 41-18 loss to the Midshipmen.

This week, UAB welcomes another top AAC squad, possibly without its starting quarterback.

The 1-3 Blazers will most likely be without Jacob Zeno, who suffered an injury last week against Navy.

If he can't go, expect Florida native Jalen Kitna to be moved into the starting lineup. The redshirt junior features a 6-foot-5 frame, strong arm and pocket mobility.

The UAB offense could use a fresh start after failing to live up to expectations following a record-breaking 2023. Kitna's arm strength and willingness to throw downfield could open new doors for the team after averaging 6.9 yards per completion this season.

Wide receivers Kam Shanks, Amare Thomas and Iverson Hooks will all need to touch the ball if UAB wants to keep up with a Tulane offense that is putting up 425 yards and 36.8 points per game.

It won't be easy as Tulane's pass defense ranks in the top 30 nationally in passing yards allowed. Defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato's Green Wave defense is pass rush-based, and if they can shut down an inexperienced Kitna or an injured Zeno and force UAB to win this game on the ground, it could be another long day for the Blazers will be 'insulting.

Tulane is coming off a 45-10 win over South Florida, where they held quarterback Byrum Brown to just 134 passing yards and the Bulls to just 26 rushing yards.

However, the Green Wave has been inconsistent against the run, and UAB's ground attack is solid, averaging 176 yards per game and over four yards per carry. The Blazers have shown that they are unable to consistently move the ball and stay in the game when relying heavily on their running backs.

Tulane redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah has revved up his passing attack to start the season, ranking 12th nationally in yards per completion, gaining 15 yards for every ball he catches. His accuracy and ability to throw under pressure presents another major obstacle for UAB's pass defense to overcome.

A duo of speedy wide receivers like Mario Williams and Dontae Fleming only makes things easier for the young quarterback, and a security blanket like Alex Bauman at tight end almost ensures that there will almost always be an open option for Mensah.

The Blazers' secondary allows just 133 yards per game through the air, which is the seventh-fewest in the country. They are the best statistical pass defense Mensah has faced in his young career.

Tulane's running game is led by Makhi Hughes, whose combination of speed and power has brought him 485 yards and five scores this season. Facing that UAB run defense should only help bolster those numbers, as the Blazers have been unable to slow down the rushing attack of anyone they've played against.

The game begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday and will be broadcast on ESPN+.