Glimmers of Hope for UAB Football After Close Loss in Tampa
Tampa, FL – The UAB Blazers faced off against the South Florida Bulls on Saturday, marking their first meeting since both teams entered the American Athletic Conference. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the outcome UAB supporters were hoping for, as the game ended with a score of 35-25 in favor of USF. For the Blazers, this was yet another setback, extending their winless streak in the FBS to 336 days.
The game, filled with ups and downs, showcased some promising developments for UAB, even as they fell to 1-6 on the season and 0-4 in AAC play. South Florida improved their record to 3-4, claiming their first victory in AAC competition.
Strong Performance Despite Turnovers
One of the brightest spots for UAB was Jalen Kitna, the redshirt junior quarterback who had a remarkable day. Kitna threw for a season-high of 384 yards, which is an impressive leap of 143 yards over the previous top mark for the Blazers this season. With a completion rate of 33-for-56 and two touchdowns, Kitna displayed a level of skill that has been lacking in recent weeks.
Yet, it wasn’t all roses for Kitna. His style is certainly exciting with a knack for extending plays and delivering the ball under pressure, but this can lead to mistakes. Although he ended the day with only one interception, there were moments when the ball was almost handed over to the opposing defense, raising some concerns about his decision-making.
In the third quarter, during a crucial drive, Kitna struggled with ball security and fumbled after picking up a vital first down. He also has six interceptions and one lost fumble over his three starts, creating overall mixed feelings among fans.
Improving Defense from the Blazers
In a welcome shift, UAB’s defense found its footing during this matchup. The Blazers’ pass rush which has been dormant this season, finally made an impression. Everett Roussaw Jr., a sophomore linebacker, led the charge with two sacks against USF’s Bryce Archie, finishing the day with a total of seven tackles. This strong performance highlighted Roussaw’s potential as a key player for UAB’s defensive future.
On the front line, Desmond Little was equally disruptive, registering five tackles and bringing down Archie for a sack as well. His consistent pressure clearly rattled the USF quarterback and showcased what UAB’s defense could accomplish when firing on all cylinders.
Sophomore Kicker Shines
If there’s one player that has remained consistent for UAB this season, it’s been Jonah Delange, the sophomore kicker who hasn’t missed a field goal on ten attempts this season. He added four successful kicks against South Florida, scoring points from distances of 41, 29, 32, and 48 yards. His performance looks promising, and as he gains confidence, he could potentially be a contender for the Lou Groza Award if this trend continues.
Looking Ahead
With the bye week ahead, UAB has some time to regroup before their next showdown against Tulsa at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on November 2. This will be especially significant as it falls on the Blazers’ Homecoming weekend, providing fans a chance to rally behind their team in a show of support.
While the loss may sting, there are certainly glimmers of hope and potential within this UAB team. Fans can look forward to seeing how Kitna continues to develop and how well the revamped defense performs in the upcoming games. Let’s keep cheering for our Blazers to turn the corner and get back in the winning column!
