Steve Irvine’s Five Storylines for UAB vs. Tulane
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 4, 2024
TULANE VS. UAB
Site, kickoff time: Protective Stadium, Noon
Record: Tulane 3-2 overall, 1-0 AAC; UAB 1-3, 0-1 AAC
Five storylines
1. Which quarterback is taking snaps for UAB? Earlier this week, UAB head coach Trent Dilfer didn’t completely rule Jacob Zeno out for Saturday’s game. But it’s doubtful – at best - that the Blazers starting quarterback, who has a left shoulder injury, will be taking the snaps. Jalen Kitna is expected to get the start if Zeno is unable to play. Kitna has not taken a snap this season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound redshirt junior’s lone college football game experience came while playing in four contests at the University of Florida in 2022. He is a dual threat quarterback with the arm strength to stretch a defense. His backup, if Kitna is the starter, will probably be redshirt sophomore Landry Lyddy.
2. What will UAB’s offensive approach be if Zeno is not playing? Tulane allowed more than 200 yards passing in a game only one time this season. Louisiana threw for 238 yards in a loss to the Green Wave. Three teams – Kansas State, Oklahoma and Louisiana – ran with some consistency against the Green Wave. DJ Giddens of Kansas State and Bill Davis of Louisiana each gained more than 100 yards against Tulane. The quarterback run has also been successful against Tulane, including Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold (14 carries for 97 yards, 2 TDs) leading his team in rushing against the Green Wave. So does that suggest that perhaps the running game is the key for UAB? That might be a good place to start but the Blazers also need consistency through the air. Tulane is tied for second in the AAC with 14 sacks. Linebacker Tyler Grubbs leads the team with 3.5 sacks with defensive tackles Patrick Jenkins and Parker Petersen and defensive end Gerrod Henderson adding two sacks each.
3. Can UAB’s defense limit Tulane’s rushing success? Oklahoma was the only team to shut down Tulane on the ground, limiting the Green Wave to 106 yards on 34 rushing attempts. Overall, Tulane is third in the conference with 193.2 rushing yards per game. Birmingham native running back Makhi Hughes, a 5-foot-11, 221-pound Huffman High product, is the top running back in the conference, averaging 97 rushing yards per game with five touchdowns. He rushed for 123 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown last season against the Blazers. UAB is struggling against the run. The Blazers are 12th in the conference in rush defense, allowing 204.8 yards per game on the ground. Tulane redshirt freshman Darian Mensah complicates things for an opposing defense with his ability to beat you with his arm. The athletic Mensah is a threat to run, if needed, but it’s through the air that is bothersome to a defense. Last week, in a lopsided win over USF, he was 18-of-22 for 326 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
4. Will something good happen early for the Blazers? Momentum can be a fickle thing. It certainly isn’t on UAB’s side as the Blazers are coming off the disappointing loss at home to Navy. Getting off to a good start guarantees nothing. Remember, the Blazers had leads of 10-0 and 17-3 against Arkansas and still lost to the Razorbacks. The Blazers also had a 13-point lead late in the first half during the 35-23 loss at Tulane last season. But the confidence of something good happening for UAB early in the game against the Green Wave this time would be helpful after a tough week.
5. Will Noah Grant keep Rayshawn Pleasant from impacting the game on special team? Noah Grant is the kickoff specialist for UAB. Rayshawn Pleasant is currently leading the AAC in kickoff return average. The 6-foot, 185-pound redshirt sophomore averages 33.6 yards per return, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown in the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana. Opponents have returned just six of Grant’s 22 kickoffs thus far.