“Star QB Ready to Tackle the Tough UAB Blazers Defense” Amid Highly Ranked Nationally
The Tulane Green Wave face one of the nation’s best defenses in an important category that their quarterback must overcome against the UAB Blazers.
The Tulane Green Wave offense is gearing up for a new challenge against the UAB Blazers, known for having one of the nation’s top pass defenses.
Currently, UAB ranks seventh in the country for passing defense and had gone without allowing a passing touchdown until they conceded two last weekend against Navy. While statistics can sometimes be deceiving, the Blazers have only allowed an average of 133 passing yards per game, despite their 1-3 record.
No quarterback has successfully completed more than 11 passes against them this season. Although one might think their strength lies in their coverage, head coach Jon Sumrall emphasized to reporters on Tuesday that the real threat is UAB’s pass rush.
“They play physically in the box, which impacts the passing game. On the backend, they have experienced players who showcase confidence, toughness, and grit. I have great respect for this team. Their record doesn’t reflect their talent level. They were in a tight match with Arkansas and were leading in the second quarter. That game was a nail-biter, finishing at 30-27. Last year, they also performed well here, nearly halting us at 20-7 before halftime. If we’re not prepared for a tough competition, they will take advantage of us. We need to approach everything with urgency.”
Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has faced significant pressure in several games yet has demonstrated growth by managing the pocket and extending plays during the last two victories. Credit goes to the offensive line as well, which has kept him from being sacked in those matchups.
Typically, games where a team controls the ball for over 40 minutes tell a ground-game story, but that wasn’t the case for Mensah against the USF Bulls, where he achieved his second career 300-yard game by exploiting their coverage.
While UAB’s pass defense is impressive in terms of yardage allowed, they haven’t forced many turnovers. The Green Wave has four interceptions—double that of the Blazers. Mensah has shown improvement in protecting the football.
But can he adjust to facing a relentless defense focused on rushing the passer? Although he has been tentative to run this season, he has still managed to secure critical first downs with his legs. This ability could vastly expand the offensive playbook for a quarterback as skilled as Mensah when throwing on the run.
Since a tough outing under center in Oklahoma, Tulane’s offensive line has excelled in protecting their quarterback. Saturday’s matchup will further challenge the redshirt freshman as he confronts a determined defense looking for their first conference victory.