UAB Sports: Blazers’ QB and WR earn ACC player of the week honors after defeating Tulsa

BIRMINGHAM – Quarterback and wide receiver have been honored as American Athletic Conference Players of the Week after their impressive performances in UAB’s 59-21 win over Tulsa on Saturday.

Kitna was awarded AAC Offensive Player of the Week, while Shanks received AAC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.

Kitna completed 25 of 32 passes for 404 yards, setting an FBS school record with six passing touchdowns. He became only the second UAB quarterback to throw six touchdowns in a game, a feat previously achieved by John Whitcomb during UAB’s I-AA seasons in 1993 and 1994.

In four starts, Kitna has thrown for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns. If eligible to meet the NCAA’s games played minimum, he would rank eighth nationally in passing yards per game with an average of 317.3.

Shanks shone against Tulsa, racking up 311 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns. He had five receptions, setting career highs in receiving yards (153) and receiving touchdowns (3), and established a school record with 139 punt return yards. He added 19 rushing yards, marking the highest all-purpose yardage in FBS this season.

Shanks nearly returned a 34-yard punt for an 84-yard touchdown in the first quarter but was ruled out of bounds on video review. He later scored on a 58-yard punt return, averaging 34.8 yards per return overall.

The Prattville native now leads the nation in punt return average (25.6) and punt return touchdowns (2), positioning himself as a strong All-America candidate in the return game.

The Blazers will next play UConn at home on Saturday, Nov. 9, in their final non-conference game of the season, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.