STORRS, Ct – After a tough loss to ACC’s Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Jim Mora and the UConn Huskies football team look to get back on track with a win. However, with just two games left on their six-game home stand, the 2-5 Rice Owls will look to have a different result.
UConn vs. Rice Football History
The first and only matchup between the Huskies and the Owl was last season on October 7. With the Huskies on the road, Rice got off to a 14-0 start at the end of the first quarter. However, surrendered 38 points in the final three quarters and 20 just in the second to propel UConn to a 38-31 win.
UConn ran for over 100 yards on the ground with Victor Rosa and two touchdowns from defensive lineman Jelani Stafford. On the other hand, quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson found Justin Jolly and Cameron Ross for a good chunk of yardage in the scoring fest. This game marks the second ever matchup between these two programs.
Key Players for Connecticut
In UConn’s two dominant wins over Florida Atlantic and Buffalo a few weeks back, it was due to the Huskies’ rushing success. UConn ran for 421 and 257 yards respectively in those matchups using a variety of runners. One of those players who shined in UConn’s wins was Durell Robinson. Despite using many different runners, Robinson was able to make an impact as an RB1/RB2 type-player.
Robinson ran for 156 yards against FAU and 73 against Buffalo, proving his worth as a freshman. But with being given four carries against Wake Forest, UConn was only able to muster 40 yards on the ground. This UConn offense can change if Robinson is effective, and he knows that.
“One thing I say I bring to the table is my energy,” Robinson said after their 48-14 win over FAU. “I can impact the game.”
Another impactful piece to this UConn offense has been Wisconsin-transfer Skyler Bell. Bell has already put together career numbers just seven games into the season. And UConn’s lack of offensive consistency the past two weeks could be attributed to his his lack of usage.
This season, Bell ranks 42nd in the nation in receiving yardage, making him an elite go-to wideout. He also ranks seventh in yardage per reception despite three games with below 50 yards.
Surprisingly, two of those three came with Nick Evers, whom he also played with in Wisconsin. If he can build the same rapport with Evers that he’s built with Joe Fagnano, UConn will find success both on the ground and through the air.
Keys Players for Rice
Rice comes into this game as a major underdog, so they’re going to need big-time performances from big-time weapons. One of those guys has been running back Dean Connors. A senior running back from Kamuela, Hawaii, Connors has put together an elite campaign.
With 72 carries, Connors has gone for 472 yards and six touchdowns, amassing an efficient 6.4 yards per carry. He leads the team in rushing, and is coming off of a 76 yard outing against Tulane.
And to win in FBS, a star quarterback is a necessity. Rice fans will hope to see E.J. Warner have a bounce back outing after three interceptions just a week ago. Outside of the abysmal performance though, he stacked up two games with two scores and no turnovers in the weeks prior. From Phoenix, Arizona, the junior signal caller hopes to lead Rice to their third win of the season this coming weekend.
Connecticut Blueprint to Victory
After a tight loss to Wake Forest, the overachieving Huskies hope to pick up an expected win. It is their fifth of six consecutive home games. But in this matchup against Rice, UConn needs to run the football more effectively.
As mentioned earlier, the Huskies dominant victories this season have come when the rushing attack has been productive. Jim Mora needs this offense to execute in that department with several runners such as Cam Edwards, Robinson, Mel Brown and even quarterback Nick Evers.
Not to mention, UConn also has to get off to an early start. In their games against Temple and Wake Forest, the Huskies struggled to generate a large deficit, resulting in close matchups decided late in the fourth quarter. In this game, UConn is the superior team, and they need to play like it right out of the gate,
The Huskies are 6.5 point favorites at home this coming Saturday.
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.