UAB looking to stack wins for the first time in the Dilfer era vs UConn

After an offensive explosion unlike anything seen this season, UAB finally got their first win since August vs Tulsa. Now, the challenge is to get their second straight, something they haven't done since Trent Dilfer took over as head coach in 2023.

The task is a difficult one. They face a UConn Huskies squad led by Jim Mora that's gone 6-3 this year after only winning three games the entire year prior.

The Huskies have gone against all expectations this season, and the credit needs to go to a fresh duo of coordinators who've completely helped turn this football team around.

Gordon Sammis served as the team's offensive line coordinator for two seasons and was promoted to offensive play-caller prior to this season.

He's been a revelation, and UConn's offense hasn't produced like it is now in years. They rank 54th in the country in total offense (406.3 ypg.) and 38th in scoring (32 ppg.).

UConn's rushing attack is the strength of not just their offense but of their entire team, ranking top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game with 201.6 yards a contest. A three-man backfield of Durrell Robinson, Mel Brown and Cam Edwards have combined for almost 1500 yards and 12 touchdowns.

This directly correlates with UAB's greatest weakness, its rushing defense, which ranks fifth worst in the entire FBS. In prior games against top rushing attacks in Arkansas, Navy and Army it's been a glaring issue and the main reason they lost all three of those games.

If this Blazer defensive line can slow the Huskies' run game down, the pendulum swings, however. UAB's secondary has played well all season when tested, especially the safety duo of Adrian Maddox and Sirad Bryant.

They'll have their hands full trying to contain Husky receiver Skylar Bell, whose 20.0 yards per reception ranks 12th nationally. He has 30 catches for 601 yards so far in 2024.

Switching gears, UConn's defense has also seen increased success this season, much due to the hiring of former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Matt Brock.

They rank in the top 40 in both yards per game allowed (330.9) and in scoring allowed (21 points per game). Brock runs a 4-2-5 defensive scheme that traditionally focuses on stopping the passing attack, but his is extremely balanced statistically.

They, again, rank top 40 nationally in passing and rushing yards allowed, producing a steep challenge for UAB's offense that has averaged over 500 yards per game over the last two weeks.

Every week he's played, Blazer quarterback Jalen Kitna has continued to show more of why he was a once sought after recruit at Florida.

He took far better care of the football last week against Tulsa and put up one of the best quarterbacking performances in school history, throwing for over 400 yards and six touchdowns, one shy of an FBS school record.

It was a national and conference honor-earning performance for the redshirt junior, but he wasn't the only Blazer to earn them, as receiver Kam Shanks did as well after a 311 yard and four touchdown all-purpose performance made up of a punt return touchdown and three receiving touchdowns on five receptions.

Shanks now leads the FBS in punt return yardage with 25.6 yards per return and is the only player in the FBS with two touchdowns on punt returns.

He's been an obvious key to this offense's success since week one, and he'll be vital again this weekend on offense certainly, though we'll have to see if any special teams' units dare to even put the ball in his hands again this season.

The game kicks off at Protective Stadium at 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.