UAB Quarterback Kitna Out, Ryder Burton to Start Against Memphis

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna will miss today’s game against Memphis due to an upper-body injury. In his place, the Blazers will give Ryder Burton his first career start.

This season, Kitna has completed 69.1% of his passes for 1,776 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions through six starts. He ranks second nationally with an average of 26.83 completions per game and ninth with 296 passing yards.

Kitna’s absence comes after he was sacked five times during last week’s 55-33 loss to Florida State. Burton, a redshirt sophomore from Springville, Utah, transferred to UAB from West Virginia this offseason but did not play in his lone season with the Mountaineers.

“This has been a strange week,” interim head coach Alex Mortensen said. “The being said, we’ve got work to do and there’s a big game in front of us,” he added, referring to the matchup against undefeated No. 22 Memphis.

Memphis holds a record of 6-0 and ranks among the top teams in the American Athletic Conference. Saturday’s game marks the first time both teams are ranked in the series, with the Tigers winning three straight games, including a 46-9 victory at Legion Field in 2012.

“Memphis is very good,” Mortensen said. “They’re undefeated, they beat Arkansas this year. They’re physical. They’re a tough team. They’re well coached.” The Blazers lead the series 10-7.

The Tigers, ranked No. 16 in both scoring offense and defense, come into Protective Stadium as a 21.5-point favorite against UAB, which is 0-3 in conference play this season.

Mortensen emphasized the importance of seniors playing for each other, especially those in their last season of college football. “We keep going back to this – playing for each other,” he stated.

This homecoming game also features festivities starting Friday, with UAB’s homecoming parade kicking off at noon. The Blazers are excited to play in front of their alumni and fans, and Mortensen views this as a significant opportunity.

UAB and Memphis are set to kick off at 3 p.m. at Protective Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, and tickets are available for fans.