STORRS, Ct. — We’ve been waiting over 230 days to say this – but Week 1 of the college football season has arrived. And the UConn Huskies football team opens their season on the road 359 miles away in College Park, MD to visit the Big Ten’s Maryland Terrapins. However, the Terps are going through a rebuild of their own, after losing starting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa to the NFL. But let’s break it all down, and take a look at what we should expect from this UConn vs Maryland matchup on FS1.
UConn vs Maryland Matchup History
Due to both the Terrapins and Huskies being in different conferences in their history, they have only played three times since 1942. Those games happened twice in Maryland and once in Connecticut. And generally, it has favored the Terps. They’re 2-1, winning one at home and one on the road.
The most recent matchup came in Storrs back in 2013, where Maryland picked up a 32-21 win. And overall, Maryland has stayed a more consistent and competitive program over the past decade. However, there has been very little overlap between these ball clubs.
Usually in college football, rivalries and matchup history is key. However, not so much for this opening day game. And the Huskies look to even up the all-time series at two a piece and make a statement with a win on the road.
Key Players for UConn
The key players for the UConn Huskies are the transfers. Jim Mora came to Connecticut with the hope he can recruit and bring talent to the program. And he did that through the portal this year. That starts at quarterback, as Mora named former Oklahoma Sooner and Wisconsin Badger quarterback Nick Evers the starter. Evers has sneaky mobility, great pocket presence and is consistent. He has the potential to make some noise in his first season as a starter.
Also brought over from Wisconsin was wideout Skyler Bell, and he is another intriguing offensive weapon. He put up 740 receiving yards in his last two seasons with the Badgers. He has great route running ability and can gain yardage after the catch. A dynamic weapon, one who will come in and clearly be the Huskies No. 1 option. And the Terrapins will have to guard him heavily during the contest.
Defensively, Pryce Yates “is going to take a huge step into being the captain of the defense,” UConn student reporter Ava Inesta said. UConn hired former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Matt Brock to be their DC, and he has a talent on his hands in Yates.
Yates totaled 4.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons to begin his collegiate career, which included leading the team in QB takedowns and tackles for loss (14.0) last year. And many expect him to become the leader defensively in place of NFL linebacker Jackson Mitchell. That’s a piece Maryland will have to be hyper-focused on keeping at bay.
Key Players for Maryland
“It gives us no competitive advantage to name [the starter at quarterback] publicly,” Maryland head coach Mike Locksley said in his media availability on Tuesday.
Cameron Edge, Billy Edwards Jr. and MJ Morris are all in the running for the starting QB job, but Locksley won’t divulge who that starter is. Edge, Edwards and Morris “we think can play winning football,” Locksley proclaimed. Whoever it is, though, they have big shoes to fill.
All three will be crucial to the Terps Week 1 success. At this moment, Edge may have the edge, no pun intended.
The 11th-ranked quarterback recruit by ESPN, Edge chose Maryland over schools such as LSU, Penn State and Tennessee. However, he hasn’t seen the field as a starter in his first two years.
Morris on the other hand comes from NC State, where he started seven of nine games in 2023. A redshirt sophomore, Morris led NC State to wins over Clemson and Miami last season. He also showed flashes against Virginia Tech in his freshman season, throwing for 265 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Wolfpack to a win after down 18.
But Edwards also wants in on the action. A 2022 transfer from Wake Forest after one season, Edwards has been a backup in Maryland’s system, starting three outings. A Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watchlist recipient, Edwards led the Terps to their TransPerfect Music City bowl win over the Auburn Tigers last year. Whoever it is, the quarterback will have a crucial role in the outcome of the matchup.
Connecticut’s Blueprint to Victory
Two years ago, the Huskies opened up their season against Utah State. The Huskies played a great game in what was an overachieving year from the team. The Aggies had been ranked the year before and were down 14-0 to Connecticut, and barley crawled their way back to a 31-20 victory. How UConn should play this game, though, is how they stayed competitive with Utah State back in 2022.
UConn is the clear underdog in this matchup – a 20.5 point underdog at that. However, there is a recipe to success. And just like they did against Utah State, they have to get off to an early start.
The Huskies led by 14 going into the second quarter, because they forced turnovers. UConn forced a fumble on the Aggies second drive of the game, and then forced them to turn it over on downs two drives later. If they can do that against the Terps, that’ll be huge.
UConn must also control the rushing attack. UConn ran for 245 rushing yards, but allowed 261 during that game. That allowed the Aggies to quickly gain ground. Now with a more talented passing game, the Huskies should be able to run early in the game, and hopefully stop it on the other side with Yates and Jelani Stafford on the D-Line. If the Huskies do that, a win suddenly sounds attainable.
Maryland’s Blueprint to Victory
For the Terrapins, it’s simple – don’t be creative. There’s a reason why one program is a competitive Big Ten team, while the other can’t find their way into a conference. Maryland has a better team overall. They have the Big Ten recruiting, and overall post a better roster top-to-bottom. That’s why they’re a near 21-point favorite at home. Maryland needs to make sure they play smart football, and really do the opposite of what UConn needs to do.
The Huskies make this a ball game if the Terps are throwing into double coverage and going for it on fourth down. That’s exactly how Utah State fell early.
No matter who’s under center for Maryland, they’re smart and talented players. If they try not to do too much, a win will come. Maryland must also make sure they don’t fall behind.
No matter who’s playing or what kind of the game it is, a two possession game will always be a two possession game. UConn is the less talented team – but they have talented players. The Terrapins need to make sure that Evers, Bell and Yates are kept in check. If Locksley’s squad does those things, they’ll begin their season 1-0.
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.