STORRS, Ct. – After a tough loss against the Maryland Terrapins, the UConn football team looks to bounce back, as they take on FCS’ Merrimack Warriors in their home opener of the season. The Huskies had a tough time on both sides of the ball, but it was on the road against a Big Ten opponent. Now heading back home, UConn is the favorite to pick up their first win of the season.
UConn vs. Merrimack Football Matchup History
UConn has played one FCS school each season since becoming an FBS program in 2002. So as the odds suggest, UConn is yet to play Merrimack, until this coming Saturday.
Key Players for Connecticut
UConn was unfortunately without defensive lineman Pryce Yates due to injury against Maryland, and his status for Saturday is still TBD. Pryce playing would be huge for UConn, who missed him and Jelani Stafford.
Stafford, their other star defensive lineman, went down with an injury during their game in College Park. Stafford’s injury appears worse than Yates, but if the UConn can get either of them back, it would be huge for their football team.
On top of that, UConn may be going with backup quarterback Joe Fagnano in their home opener. Nick Evers is dealing with an injury, and if he’s out, UConn feels more than comfortable handing the keys to Fagnano, who orchestrated Connecticut’s only scoring drive in Week 1.
“He’s calm, cool; it’s hard to frazzle him,” head coach Jim Mora said about Fagnano. “The main thing is just his demeanor on the field. I think our players trust him and respect him, and he’ll make good decisions and protect the ball. He’ll do that if he has to play.”
The Huskies number one target in this game will be transfer wide receiver Skyler Bell, who put together an 141-yard outing in his debut with the Huskies. UConn football fans shouldn’t be surprised to see him in the end zone a time or two on Saturday.
Key Players for Merrimack
It’s obvious for every team in football at any level, that the quarterback position matters – and Merrimack is no different.
Malakai Anthony got the start for the Warriors last week, and he wasn’t bad. He completed 14 of 21 passes for no turnovers and a 96.3 passer rating. However, he also didn’t make an impact, passing for just 74 yards (3.5 Y/A) and no touchdowns.
Ayden Pereira, the backup quarterback who came in towards the end of the game, was the one who passed for the Warriors lone touchdown in the final seconds of their game against Air Force. No matter who they turn to, the quarterback play has to be better than it was last week.
The only running back who received significant carries in Week 1 was Jermaine Corbett. He was given eight carries for 59 yards, which is 7.4 yards per carry. Not to mention that his production included a 33-yard run; his explosiveness could be a valuable asset in this matchup.
If one of Anthony or Pereira along with Corbett can step up, Merrimack can make the game more competitive than most anticipate.
Keys to Victory: Connecticut
“If you’re a UConn football fan, you lock in a win against Merrimack,” UConn football sideline reporter Adam Giardino said before the season – and he’s correct. The Huskies are in a completely different position now than they were against Maryland last week.
Now, the Huskies are considered the big boys in this matchup against an FCS school. In fact, UConn has a 20-2 record in the program’s history against FCS schools since being promoted to FBS.
However, no game is a guarantee. UConn has to show up and do their job. That starts with not turning the football over. Turnovers weren’t the reason UConn lost to the Terrapins in Week 1, but two interceptions is never ideal. The Huskies can’t take those risks they were encouraged to take last week.
And along with that, they have to play smart. They are the superior team, so they need to play like it. UConn doesn’t have to do much in this football game besides execute with more talented players. They can do that.
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.