UAB gets second win of the year

November 2, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers football team got its first win since the season opener in August on Saturday. UAB beat Tulsa 59 to 21.

UAB Quarterback Jalen Kitna had his best game as a college quarterback. All of that obvious talent and potential finally paid off in a breakout performance that included six passing touchdowns by Kitna. Kitna had 25 completions on 32 attempts for an eye-popping 404 yards, including a long of 67 yards. It was Kitna's first win this season as a starter.

Kitna is playing in place of the injured Jacob Zeno – UAB's opening day starter. Kitna joined UAB in December. He started his college career at Florida; but his career was derailed by off the field legal difficulties. He is the son of longtime NFL Quarterback John Kitna.

UAB also had 23 rushing attempts for 113 yards to go along with the fireworks from the passing game.

UAB dominated from the very start, winning the first quarter 21 to nothing. UAB followed that up with 24 points in the second quarter resulting in a UAB lead at halftime of 45 to 7.

UAB's defense showed up big – holding Tulsa to just 7 first half points.

This is UAB head Coach Trent Dilfer's second season with the Blazers. He is 6 and 14 with the Blazers.

Dilfer said that it is important that the team got a big win to show the players that their work is paying off. They are asked to do a lot, "Then bad things happen on Saturday, its hard to buy in and keep doing it," said Coach Dilfer of the season. "I am really happy that they got some payoff. The season has almost felt unreal. They are better than the scores have been. They practice harder, they invest more, and they are not getting the payoff for it."

"This has been a hard year and it can get really dark and be negative in your thinking from people on the outside," said Dilfer. "It is hard for these kids to ignore the outside noise."

We hope this is a launching point for us from here on out."

The win improves UAB to 2 and 6 on the season and 1 and 4 in the conference.

UAB will host Connecticut on Saturday at 1:30 CST.

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