STORRS, Ct. — It’s a been a weird season thus far for the UConn Huskies football team, who have been on the virtuous and losing sides of multiple 40+ point blowouts. Now as UConn heads south to play the 2-0 Duke Blue Devils, the Huskies hope to not be on the wrong side of another possible demolition this coming Saturday. It’s UConn vs. Duke, in an exciting Week 3 college football matchup.
UConn Huskies vs. Duke Blue Devils Football History
The Blue Devils and the Huskies have actually played three times before, with the Huskies having a winning record in those contests. UConn took the first game back in 2004, and followed it up with a dominating 45-14 win three seasons after.
However, Duke won its first ever game against UConn on the road in the 41-7 humiliation last season. Now with the Huskies heading to Duke as a big underdog, the Blue Devils look to tie up the all-time series.
Key Players for Connecticut
The UConn Huskies lost their first game with Wisconsin-transfer Nick Evers getting the starting nod. However, the only points scored during that outing were from QB Joe Fagnano. Fagnano came in during the third quarter of opening day for an injured Evers and took over his place in their home opener against Merrimack.
It’s safe to say that Fagnano earned his starting spot beyond just Week 2, and he will get the start versus Duke. With a dominant connection with his receivers, Fagnano can carry that on into Week 3. As should Durrell Robinson.
Robinson was fantastic against the Warriors, which included a 48-yard touchdown and 104 all-purpose yards. For the season, Robinson is rushing for over 7.5 yards per carry. If he can be the center of attention on this offense, it only sets up opportunities for Skyler Bell and other playmakers on the UConn football team to shine as well.
Key Players for Duke
As for the Blue Devils, their receiving core has been key to their success. Their quarterback play has been shaky at times, but the productive play from Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol have been essential to their 2-0 start.
With over 100 yards in back-to-back games, Moore has been elite. He totaled seven catches in one game, and in the other he had 11 plus a score. That came in Duke’s incredible double-overtime win against Northwestern.
Pancol had their longest passing play on the season with a 55-yard reception in the team’s opener. He then followed that up with two scores against Northwestern. Both have been incredible for the Blue Devils.
On defense, Duke has had success getting to the quarterback, especially Vincent Anthony. Anthony was sidelined for the double overtime win, yet still leads the team in quarterback takedowns. Appearing in Week 1 against Elon, Anthony totaled two sacks and six tackles. He could give the Huskies some trouble.
Blueprint to Victory for UConn
Just like against Maryland, the Huskies come in as a large road underdog against a Power 4 school. In fact, UConn comes in as a 16.5 point underdog. However, no one should count the Huskies out, especially after how dominant they were against the Warriors.
The first key to this game has to be for the Huskies to contain Duke’s running game. The Blue Devils rushing attack has been horrendous, while UConn has allowed several rushing touchdowns in their first two football games. The Huskies already have enough problems to worry about, they can’t make Duke’s biggest offensive weakness another one.
The Huskies also have to play through Fagnano. A former Maine signal caller, Fagnano has had seven total touchdowns to just one turnover. Even his five passing touchdowns against Merrimack are tied for the most in a game in Connecticut history. With how he’s elevated the playmakers around him, especially Bell and Robinson, head coach Jim Mora has to put Fagnano in a position to run the offense and control the tempo of the game.
If the Huskies can do those things, 2-1 going back home for a huge game against FAU sounds attainable.
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.