STORRS, Ct. – The UConn Huskies look to build off of their 2024 regular season successes as they head to Boston to face North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl. After an eight-win regular season, Jim Mora’s group looks to cap off to an overachieving year with an exclamation point against an ACC opponent. Despite eight wins, UConn went 0-4 this past year against power-conference schools. They will look to erase that narrative against a UNC team with many moving parts.
Even after the recent hire of Bill Belichick to be their long-term head coach, interim head coach Freddie Kitchens (also with previous experience at the NFL level) will have head coaching duties in this matchup; though Belichick’s introduction to the program sure makes this game more entertaining than it already was. But the Tar Heels are just .500 this year, prompting fans to rightfully believe the Huskies have a shot. As 2.5 point underdogs, can UConn pull off the upset?
UConn Huskies vs. UNC Tar Heels Matchup History
With the Huskies and Tar Heels playing in different conferences, the two programs have only met three times. However, UNC has taken all three contests, all ranging from 1990-to-2009. The then-No. 19 ranked Tar Heels marched into Rentschler Field in 2009 and came away with a come-from-behind victory over Connecticut, even when the Huskies program was a perennial bowl contender.
Though the score was just 12-10, it marked a third consecutive victory for UNC over UConn. It was also the only game that was close in the all time series, as the Tar Heels have an average margin of victory of 18 points against the Huskies. UConn looks for that first win over North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl.
Key Players for Connecticut
After a three-win season in 2023, what UConn has done this season has been beyond impressive. Especially once you consider that they’ve utilized two different quarterbacks and found success with both. Wisconsin-transfer Nick Evers was supposedly the answer in his junior year, though he’s suffered from many nagging injuries.
Backup Joe Fagnano, a former product of the University of Maine, has instead proven his worth as a starting quarterback. He’s found more success than Evers, while his 14.2 yards per completion mark is one of the highest in FBS. He’s led the Huskies to a 4-1 record in five starts with 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Fagnano has made a name for himself, and prepares for his final FBS game now as a graduate student.
His main target has been Skyler Bell, and he also came from Wisconsin as a transfer this past spring. That prompted many fans to believe he would build a great rapport with Evers having previous experience, though he’s been much more explosive with Fagnano.
Setting career highs in receptions, yards, and yards per reception, Bell has showed what he is capable of as a first option with Connecticut. Not to mention, some of his early season successes had him towards the top of FBS in a few statistical categories. And, despite entering the transfer portal, Bell is projected to play in the Fenway Bowl. Expect Fagnano to air it out deep to Bell on a few patterns, as he has done previously this year.
Key Players for North Carolina
It’s been a weird season for the North Carolina football program. They have a talented roster, a key reason why Belichick may have chose to begin his collegiate coaching career with the Tar Heels. However, it hasn’t translated to 2024 success.
North Carolina had a 3-5 conference record this year, and an early-season 70-50 loss to James Madison saw head coach Mack Brown fired towards the end of the year. But again, their lack luster season relative to expectations doesn’t suggest that this group doesn’t have talent. In fact, they have tons of it!
That starts at the quarterback position, as Jacolby Criswell has been outstanding for the Tar Heels in 2024. Despite some inaccuracy, Criswell threw for close to eight yards per attempt with a 134.4 passer rating that warrants respect. He threw 15 touchdowns this past regular season to just six interceptions, taking care of the football. While UNC’s offense doesn’t run through its passing attack, Criswell has been a pivotal part of UNC’s offensive outlook.
On the other hand, their offense does run through (literally) star running back Omarion Hampton. With 15 rushing touchdowns and 5.9 yards per rush, Hampton has put himself on the map as one of the top backs in the country. Hampton’s 1,660 rushing yards are the second most in FBS, and his 15 TD’s ranked 15th.
The only issue is that Hampton won’t actually be suiting up for the Fenway Bowl, as he has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. That means that the Tar Heels may have to rely heavily on freshman running back Davion Gause to take over.
How UConn can win the Fenway Bowl
While they’ve overachieved in 2024, UConn is still an underdog and looks for that first power-conference win. They’re going to need to look sharp in this game if they want a chance at victory. That starts with limiting turnovers. While North Carolina’s defense isn’t one that warrants fear in terms of turning the football over, it’s been the Huskies kryptonite in these power conference-affairs.
UConn has not won the turnover battle against any power-conference school this season. It’s a reason why their offense has struggled to generate momentum. However, if Fagnano and the rushing attack can take away the football, it gets rid of that scare.
With that said, the Huskies also need to run the football effectively. While Fagnano and Bell have been marvelous, their rushing attack has carried their offense in 2024. And that’s been because they’re not solely reliant on one rusher. If the Huskies can utilize their running backs, the offense will be hard to stop.
However, one key component to this game is going unnoticed. That is, where does UNC’s “heart” stand. After the firing of Brown, Kitchens is now the interim head coach, though he lost the long-term position to Belichick very quickly. While the NFL-great won’t be wearing a headset in the meeting, there has to be some questioning on the heart and fight this team will have in what has been a disappointing year for their program. That could favor Connecticut.
Yet on the flip-side, UNC might also show their dedication to their new coach and willingness to improve the program. On a national audience in the Fenway Bowl, this could be a “statement-game” to do so. It sure will be an entertaining and exciting game that should go down to the wire.
Chase Coburn
Chase Coburn is an aspiring sports reporter and journalist who's already achieved some great things in the industry. At just 13 years old, Chase has already started his own podcast, interviewing celebrities such as ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baltimore Ravens' Justin Madubuike, ESPN's Dan Graziano, and many others. Chase is even experienced in writing for his websites, chasessportsnews.com & chasecoburn.substack.com. He runs his schools broadcast department, and is also a freelance writer for The League Winners, covering Ravens football and UConn football. Chase, who resides in Fairfield, CT, hopes to continue his dream as a broadcaster, and inspire others to CHASE their dreams like he has.