Steve Irvine’s Five Storylines For UAB vs. UCONN
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - November 8, 2024
UCONN VS. UAB
Site, kickoff time: Protective Stadium, 1:30 p.m. CT
Record: UConn 6-3 overall; UAB 2-6 overall, 1-4 AAC
Five storylines
1. Can UAB’s offense keep up its torrid pace? The Blazers are averaging 511 yards per game over the last two games with a big chunk of that coming through the air. Jalen Kitna, who will get his fifth consecutive start, is 58-of-88 for 788 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception over the past two games. Amare Thomas (16 catches for 181 yards, four TDs) and Kam Shanks (11 catches for 189, three TDs) have been his favorite targets. Tight ends Dallas Payne, Bryce Damous and Terrell McDonald have also been productive as of late, combining on 15 catches for 255 yards the past two weeks. UAB has gone away from the run a bit recently but Lee Beebe Jr. has been effective when he gets an opportunity. UConn is 38th in the country in total defense, allowing an average of 330.9 yards per game. The Huskies are 38th in passing yards allowed per game (197.3) and 51st in rushing yards allowed per game (133.6). Linebackers Tui Faumina-Brown (76 tackles, two sacks, 7.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 5 QB hurries, forced fumble) and Jayden McDonald (75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7.5 TFL, interception, 3 PBU, 7 QBH) are the defensive leaders.
2. Will the Blazers get off to another quick start? The Blazers built some momentum with last week’s 59-21 win over Tulsa. They can build on that with a quick start, particularly if it mirrors last week’s early success when UAB scored 45 first half points. The week before, in a loss at South Florida, UAB had just nine first half points but still led by two at the break. The only time UAB led at the half in the first six weeks was in the opening game against Alcorn State. The Blazers scored the first 10 points against Arkansas and led by as many as 14 points in the first half but the game was tied at halftime.
3. Can UAB limit the success of the UConn running game? The Huskies like to run the football and they are good at it. UConn averages 201.6 yards per game on the ground, which is 26th best in the country. The Huskies had a season high 421 yards on 66 carries in a win over FAU but were held under 100 yards by Maryland, Temple and Wake Forest. Running backs Durell Robinson (586 yards, 6 TDs), Mel Brown (498 yards, 2 TDs) and Cam Edwards (445 yards, 4 TDs) share the carries and quarterback Nick Evers (197 yards, 3 TDs) is a threat. UAB is 129th in the country in rush defense, allowing 235.5 yards per game.
4. Will playing on the road play a factor for UConn? It’s crazy to think that UConn is playing its first road game since losing at Duke on Sept. 14. The Huskies followed with a six-game homestand that ended with last week’s win over Georgia State. UConn won five of the six games. Now, they go on the road. How will they react? UConn head coach Jim Mora Jr. said it shouldn’t be that much of an adjustment. “The only thing that's different for us is that we have a two and a half hour flight,” Mora said. “Other than that, the timing of what we do leading up to the game in that last 24 to 36 hours is really exactly the same.”
5. How many all-purpose yards will Kam Shanks gain? The UConn coaching staff is well aware of the impact that Shanks can make on a game. The tape from last week’s win over Tulsa offers proof of Shanks capability for the big play. Undoubtedly the defensive plan will be geared toward stemming his success and punting the ball out of bounds is a good option. If they commit to stopping him too much, though, that will open things up for Amare Thomas and the other UAB playmakers.