STORRS, Ct. – Coming off two of UConn’s most dominant games over the past decade, the Huskies host the Temple Owls at Rentschler Field on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies are hoping to build off of two incredible outings on both sides of the ball. UConn has been one of the most dominant rushing teams, and are 3-0 in their first three football games at home for the first time since 2010. As they enter this game, UConn is a massive favorite, though the Owls have had their number in the past.
UConn vs. Temple Matchup History
UConn and Temple have actually met quite a few times on the football field. This Saturday marks the 21st matchup between Connecticut and Temple, though it only comes as the first since 2019. The Owls came in and dominated these teams’ last head-to-head clash, as they won 49-17 in one of the three consecutive games Temple has won in UConn territory.
Not to mention, Temple is in the AAC, the conference that UConn used to be a part of up until 2020. Maybe the Huskies will go for revenge on the conference. Connecticut is 2-3 against The American conference teams since leaving to become an independent.
Key Players for Connecticut
UConn has been beyond dominant at home and in their past two outings. They’ve ran for over 250 yards in each of their last two games, and over 400 in Week 4. However, their offense as a whole has been specifically great at home. In the 21 years UConn has played at The Rent, their 158 points is a program record in a three-game stretch.
The offense has been soaring; and so is Skyler Bell, especially with Joe Fagnano. Nick Evers went down with another injury in Week 5 against Buffalo, so they turned to Fagnano, who threw for three touchdowns – all to Bell and all in the second half. Bell is 11th in the country in receiving yardage, and seventh in yards per reception. He also has four touchdowns on the year. Not only is Bell getting a bigger opportunity in Connecticut, but he is thriving in his role.
And in the running game, Mel Brown is making a case to be one of UConn’s top lead backs. With Victor Rosa sidelined due to injury, Brown has made his way into the rotation over the past two weeks. 209 of Brown’s 305 rushing yards have come in those two games. He’s also added immense value as a receiving back. And Brown’s speed and elusiveness has made him one of the most explosive players on this offense.
“Mel cuts like he has no knee’s,” UConn running back Durell Robinson said after Brown’s Week 4 outing. While it is a backfield with many talented runners, Brown is making a case to stay in a crucial role on this offense.
Key Players for Temple
Because of Connecticut’s stellar play as of late, Temple comes in as a three-possession underdog as they look for their second win of the season. Firstly, they’re going to have to see production from their starting QB Evan Simon. Simon has had a pretty good season for the Owls, throwing for close to 700 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s done a good job at controlling the game, though he is inefficient as a runner. He has 37 carries for just 35 yards on the ground.
Defensively, D.J. Woodbury is the captain. He has 48 total tackles and 30 solo thus far this year. Additionally, he has one sack, which came in the Owls gave against Costal Carolina. A senior from Burlington City, New Jersey, Woodbury has been a crucial player on the Owls defense, one that is going to have to step up against a dominant Connecticut offense.
Connecticut Blue Print to Victory
As a 17-point favorite, the path to victory may sound very easy for the UConn Huskies in this football game. However, a lot of that projected success is weighed on their previous wins the last two games, performances in which Evers started at signal caller. So UConn needs to be on top of their game to get a win.
And that starts with continuing to pound the football. Whether Rosa is ready to play in the running back room or not, Brown, Robinson and Camryn Edwards have been outstanding in carrying this dominant rushing attack. Luckily for UConn, Temple has the third-worst rushing defense in all of FBS thus far this season. UConn has to take advantage of that.
Yet while UConn has to run the ball, they also have to let Fagnano work with Bell in this passing attack. A lot of Bell’s stellar production this season has come when Fagnano was at quarterback. Not to mention, the Huskies passing attack was much more effective with Fagnano than it was with Evers.
If UConn can manage having a balanced offensive attack, Fagnano and Bell could have more highlight-reel plays in Week 6. If Connecticut does those things, they could come away with their third straight victory.
UConn is 3-2, the first time they’ve had that record or better to begin a football season since 2012. If UConn wins this game, it will be the first time they’d begin their season 4-2 since 2009. This can turn into one of the better seasons in the history of the program. And UConn could more than easily come away with a dominant win over the Owls.
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.