UAB lost its fourth straight game

October 5, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM – Tulane came to Birmingham on Saturday and had their way with the UAB Blazers. The loss was UAB's second American Athletics Conference (AAC). UAB is 1 and 4 overall and 0 and 2 in the conference.

Tulane jumped out to a 20 to 6 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. By halftime the Green Wave was up 37 to 6. Tulane added another 20 points in the third quarter to go up 57 to 6. Both teams scores two touchdowns in a fourth quarter that did not affect the overall game. The final score was 71 to 20.

Again UAB showed absolutely no ability to stop the run whatsoever. Tulane rushed for 317 yards on the ground. Tulane Running back Makhi Hughes rushed for 119 yards of that gaudy total. He also had two touchdowns. In the first five games of the season UAB's opponents have rushed for 1193 yards in their first five games – 5.2 yards per attempt.

Tulane improved to 4 and 2 on the season (2 and 0 in the AAC).

Tulane set a new school record for point scored in the AAC. It was also the largest margin of victory for Tulane in a conference games since the Great Depression in 1939.

Tulane didn't really need to pass the ball against UAB's poor defense Saturday; but Tulane Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 12 passes in 15 attempts for another 134 yards and a touchdown. Ty Thompson also completed 2 passes for 46 yards and scored both a rushing and passing touchdown.

Tulane also ran a kickoff 100 yards back for a touchdown.

UAB Quarterback Jalen Kitna had 230 yards passing on 30 completions for 41 attempts and a touchdown; but he also had three interceptions which contributed greatly to Tulane's dominating win. Tulane held UAB to just 76 yards rushing; but given that Tulane scored early and often UAB was forced to rely on the passing game in an attempt to get back in the game.....they never did.

Kitna began his football career at Florida; but left the Gators after he was charged with possession of child porn – felony charges that were eventually dropped after he agreed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct – a misdemeanor. This was Kitna's first start in four years.

UAB Quarterback Jacob Zeno (who started the first four games) injured his non-throwing shoulder in the loss to Navy the previous week. When he will return is not known at this time.

Second year UAB head Coach Trent Dilfer blamed himself for the disappointing loss. Dilfer said that the loss was "humiliating." He apologized to the team for not getting them ready for the physical level of play that Tulane brought to Protective Life Stadium.

"I'll say to the fans I think you deserve more, the city of Birmingham deserves more," Dilfer said in his news conference. "If you are going to be angry, please be angry at me. Don't be angry at our kids. Our kids are giving us everything they have, and it's my job to make sure something like this never happens again."

Dilfer is 5 and 12 in his tenure as UAB's head coach. The former NFL QB and ESPN football analyst had previously coached at Lipscomb Academy H.S. in Tennessee before taking the UAB job.

It does not get any easier for the Blazers. They play undefeated Army in West Point, New York on Saturday. Army features a very physical run first option offense and UAB has been suspect against the run this year. The game will kickoff at 11:00 a.m. a.m. CDT on the CBS Sports Network.

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