BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A magical season for the UConn football team is poised to continue in Birmingham on Saturday when the Huskies take on UAB at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
With a win last Friday over Georgia State, UConn clinched bowl eligibility, but one more victory would guarantee the Huskies a winning season, a feat the program hasn’t achieved since 2010.
The Blazers represent the American Athletic Conference and are coached by former NFL Super Bowl champion quarterback Trent Dilfer. The team carries a 2-6 record into Saturday, coming off a 59-21 win over Tulsa last weekend.
Saturday will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs. UConn is 3-0 against the American Athletic Conference this season after defeating Florida Atlantic, Temple and Rice at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, where the Huskies compiled a 6-1 record in 2024.
UConn is coming off a 34-27 win over Georgia State. The Huskies dominated at home this season, scoring 258 points, the most the team has ever scored in a season at the stadium in East Hartford, which opened in 2003.
The home slate is over, however, and UConn will finish play with three road games, as they travel to Syracuse and UMass after taking on UAB. The Huskies are 0-2 on the road this season and look to improve upon that record.
The UConn defense has performed better than expected in 2024 but will be put to the test against a UAB team that scored 59 points its last time out. With the win last Saturday, UAB ended a six-game losing streak. It was their first victory since the season opener.
UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna was phenomenal last Saturday against Tulsa, throwing for 404 yards and completing 25 of 32 passes. His six touchdown passes were the most by a UAB quarterback in a single game since the program entered the FBS level.
On the season, Kitna has started four games, throwing for 1,269 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has averaged just over 317 passing yards per game while filling in for injured starter Jacob Zeno.
UAB wide receiver Kam Shanks had 311 all-purpose yards against Tulsa, which is the most in the FBS in 2024. Shanks caught five catches for 153 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 139 punt return yards and 19 rushing yards. According to the UConn Division of Athletics, Shanks leads the country in punt return average (25.6) and punt return touchdowns (2), so UConn’s special teams should be prepared.
Defensively, UAB has been excellent against the pass in 2024. It ranks fifth in the country, allowing only 156.5 yards per game.
Led by quarterback Nick Evers, UConn’s offense has shown glimpses of being able to throw the ball down field, as wide receiver Skyler Bell has excelled. On the season, Bell has caught 30 passes for 601 yards and four touchdowns. Evers and Bell will likely be challenged by the stingy UAB pass defense. The Huskies hope to eclipse last week's total of only 75 passing yards.
Fortunately for UConn, their bread and butter are in the run game, led by an offense line that has established itself as one of the country’s best. The Huskies feature a balanced rushing attack, as Cam Edwards, Mel Brown and Durrell Robinson will split carries.
In 2024, Edwards has carried the ball 92 times for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Brown has 89 carries for 498 yards and two touchdowns, and Robinson has 80 carries, 586 yards and six touchdowns. While Robinson has the best statistics, Edwards is the featured back, and Brown will surely be in the mix, as he's produced multiple big runs this season.
Defensively, UConn ranks fifth in the nation in third down conversion percentage and 22nd in passing efficiency defense. The Huskies’ defense is 38th overall in passing yards allowed per game and 40th in the country in first down defense. UConn’s defense is also 37th in red zone defense, 32nd in scoring defense and 37th in total defense, according to the UConn Division of Athletics.
When UConn and UAB square off on Saturday, UConn will likely look to continue its success on the ground and force the Blazers to convert offensively from third and distance. Entering the matchup, UConn is a 6.5-point favorite, and the game has a projected points total set at 55.5.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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