The UConn football team (5-3) will clash with the UAB Blazers (3-4) on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Rentschler Field in hopes of keeping their three-home-game winning streak alive.
The two programs met for the first time last season, where the Huskies traveled to Protective Stadium and defeated the Blazers 31-23 with a fourth-quarter comeback. Connecticut trailed the entire match, as UAB notched a 20-3 lead by halftime. With 10 minutes remaining in the contest, UConn exploited a punt and two fumbles, which led to 21 unanswered points.
For the Huskies, quarterback Nick Evers took the snaps and threw for 104 yards and an interception. In the back field, running backs Cam Edwards and Durell Robinson collectively gained 143 rushing yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.
In the receiver room, everyone contributed, as five teammates hauled in 10-plus receiving yards. The now Buffalo Bulls’ wideout, Jasaiah Gathings, topped the Huskies with 52 receiving yards and an endzone appearance. Skyler Bell ended the day behind Gathings with 45 receiving yards.
Compared to UAB, shot-caller Jalen Kitna completed 22 of 42 (52.4%) for 233 yards, a touchdown and two turnovers. On the ground, running back Lee Beebe Jr. rushed 115 yards and crossed the goal line once.
Fast forward to Saturday’s battle and neither program looks the same.
On Oct. 12 of this year, the Blazers fired head coach and former NFL gunslinger Trent Dilfer after losing three straight games, resulting in a 2-4 record. In the span of three campaigns with UAB, Dilfer posted a 9-21 record.
Now, the team is coached by former offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen. Under his leadership, the Blazers started hot and pulled off an upset by toppling the then-No. 22-ranked Memphis Tigers 31-24. Ahead of the matchup, backup quarterback Ryder Burton became the starter as Kitna was ruled out with an upper-body injury.
With UAB’s bye week giving Kitna extra time to rest, the senior is expected to return to action on Saturday. So far this year, the Washington native has completed 1,776 yards for 10 endzone appearances and four picks.
In the running back room, Jevon Jackson leads the Blazers with 442 rushing yards, but the program could lean towards using Solomon Beebe. While facing Memphis, Beebe carried the ball five times and rushed for a career high of 106 yards. This was also the Alabama native’s first time gaining 100-plus rushing yards.
One player the Huskies will need to lock down is wide receiver Iverson Hooks. Against the Tigers, Hooks caught 11 receptions for 172 yards and was responsible for three of UAB’s four touchdowns.
As for Connecticut, running the ball is the offense’s only issue. With running back Mel Brown still recovering from a broken collarbone, Edwards is the No. 1 option. However, the last time the junior registered 100-plus rushing yards was on Sept. 20 versus Ball State.
Defensively, the two-minute defense has cost UConn three overtime victories. While facing Syracuse, Delaware and Rice, the team conceded six points or a field goal that forced extra time.
Additionally, quarterback Joe Fagnano is closing in on 10,000 career passing yards. The veteran is 260 yards away from hitting the milestone.
If Connecticut can control the Blazers’ offense and stay out of overtime, seeing UConn win should come as no surprise.
Fans can tune into the matchup on CBS Sports Network, with the kickoff scheduled for noon on Saturday, Nov. 1.