The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Kitna and Shanks Earn AAC Player of the Week Honors
11/4/2024 10:03:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Quarterback Jalen Kitna and wide receiver Kam Shanks have earned American Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors for their standout performances in UAB's 59-21 victory over Tulsa on Saturday.
Kitna was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week and Shanks the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Kitna completed 25-of-32 for 404 yards and an FBS school record six passing touchdowns. He became just the second quarterback in school history to throw six touchdowns in game, joining John Whitcomb who did it twice when UAB competed in I-AA in 1993 and 1994.
In four starts, Kitna has thrown for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns. If Kitna was eligible to meet the NCAA minimum of games played, he would rank eighth nationally in passing yards per game at 317.3.
Shanks was explosive against Tulsa, gaining 311 all-purpose yards and scoring four total touchdowns. Shanks had five catches and set career highs in receiving yards (153) and receiving touchdowns (3), while also setting a school record with 139 punt return yards. He added 19 rushing yards, and his 311 all-purpose yards are the most yards in the FBS this season.
Shanks had a 34-yard punt return in the first quarter that was almost an 84-yard touchdown, but video review showed he barely stepped out of bounds. However, Shanks took his next punt return 58 yards to the house and overall he averaged 34.8 yards per return.
The Prattville native is now leading the nation in punt return average (25.6) and punt return touchdowns (2) and has established himself as a legitimate contender for All-America consideration in the return game.
The Blazers return to action this Saturday, Nov. 9 at home against UConn in their final non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Kitna was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week and Shanks the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Kitna completed 25-of-32 for 404 yards and an FBS school record six passing touchdowns. He became just the second quarterback in school history to throw six touchdowns in game, joining John Whitcomb who did it twice when UAB competed in I-AA in 1993 and 1994.
In four starts, Kitna has thrown for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns. If Kitna was eligible to meet the NCAA minimum of games played, he would rank eighth nationally in passing yards per game at 317.3.
Shanks was explosive against Tulsa, gaining 311 all-purpose yards and scoring four total touchdowns. Shanks had five catches and set career highs in receiving yards (153) and receiving touchdowns (3), while also setting a school record with 139 punt return yards. He added 19 rushing yards, and his 311 all-purpose yards are the most yards in the FBS this season.
Shanks had a 34-yard punt return in the first quarter that was almost an 84-yard touchdown, but video review showed he barely stepped out of bounds. However, Shanks took his next punt return 58 yards to the house and overall he averaged 34.8 yards per return.
The Prattville native is now leading the nation in punt return average (25.6) and punt return touchdowns (2) and has established himself as a legitimate contender for All-America consideration in the return game.
The Blazers return to action this Saturday, Nov. 9 at home against UConn in their final non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
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