STORRS, Ct. — It’s been an overachieving football season for the UConn Huskies, and their 2024 regular season journey comes to an end on the road against the University of Massachusetts. A game that preseason projections had being a nail-biter is now a 10-point spread in favor of Connecticut.
However, UMass has won two games this season, and even led over Georgia after one quarter last week. Granted they lost, but the Minutemen have put together some competitive outings in 2024, and could give UConn some trouble. To end their regular season, UConn faces UMass in their pursuit for another win.
UConn vs. UMass Football History
These two programs over the past 10-to-15 years have been notoriously underwhelming. In the 2010’s, UMass had the second-worst record in FBS college football, while Connecticut had the 11th worst. It prompted the sport to call these programs ‘U-Can’t’ and ‘U-Mess’.
It’s actually ironic that these two disappointing programs have faced off many times. The UConn and UMass rivalry is one of the more underrated ones in college football history that has lasted for seven decades.
They’ve faced off 19 times, with Connecticut winning thirteen of them and with the last two favoring UConn.
Over recent years, the matchup hasn’t received much attention, especially as Connecticut has seemingly separated themselves from the lesser-programs in FBS. However, their year-by-year meetings in the 1990’s make this a historic clash every time they face off.
Key Players for UConn
The best part about Connecticut’s 2024 success is that they’ve played by committee. It hasn’t been one star to propel UConn to success. In fact, in their seven wins, QB Joe Fagnano has three of them and Nick Evers has four. And the separation between their first and third leading rushers is just 97 yards.
The only area where one player has stood far amongst the rest has been the receiving room. Transfer Skyler Bell has, at times, played like one of the best pass catchers in the country. But when he’s been contained, the Huskies have struggled to find success through the air. That’s why TJ Sheffield is a key piece for Connecticut in this game.
A transfer from Purdue, Sheffield has put together over 400 yards, and caught five passes for 52 yards and a score in Syracuse last week. However, he’s also had games where he’s simply not a part of the game plan and not used at all. He’ll need to be a productive asset if the Huskies want to close out the season with a good passing day.
But of course, UConn will turn to their running game for offensive success. With Thanksgiving this past week, Connecticut has been more than thankful for the play from freshman running back Durell Robinson. Not only does Robinson lead the team in rushing yardage along with seven touchdowns and multiple 100+ yard rushing days, but the Charlotte-transfer has run for 6.8 yards per carry, the 24th most in FBS amongst qualifying runners.
He was asked about what he brings to the table after his breakout game against FAU in Week 4. He answered, “My energy [is one thing I bring to the table]. I can impact the game. This energy gets us wins.”
He hopes his energy can get them one more victory going into their second Bowl game in three seasons.
Key Players for UMass
With a record of 2-9, it’s obvious that this squad won’t have a superstar who will be the best player on the field. However, it doesn’t deny that they have a plethora of playmakers who could give the Huskies some issues.
It’s obvious that UConn will run the ball, so the Minutemen need to do the same with Jalen John. He’s run for over five yards per carry with UMass this season, and has more rushing TD’s than anyone else on the team. He’ll need to put together an elite outing if the Minutemen expect an upset.
And just like how the Huskies can throw to Skyler Bell, the Minutemen’s top target has been Jakobie Keeney-James. With close to 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Keeney-James will without doubt be the biggest threat UConn will face in this one. He has the true capabilities of playing like an elite receiver in UMass’ final game of the 2024 season.
Connecticut Blueprint to Victory
While this matchup has become increasingly easier for the Huskies to pull off a win throughout the past few falls, there is still a game plan Jim Mora’s group will have to execute on if he wants an eighth win heading into Bowl-play.
The first of which is finding early success and sticking with the running game, Connecticut’s bread-and-butter throughout the entire year. They find rushing production from various runners, and will look to those players to have another big day on the ground.
And the Huskies also need to begin this game like they’re a ten point favorite. The biggest struggle for UConn this year, despite their success, was playing up the early standard set by them after huge home wins over FAU and Buffalo. They won in the final seconds against Temple, had to rally back from down 17 against UAB, and went down early and couldn’t eventually find a way to take down Wake Forest.
Slow starts have been the Achilles heel for this overachieving group. But if UConn can come out firing on the road, those concerns won’t need to haunt the Huskies in this Thanksgiving-weekend clash. If Mora’s group can get off to a hot start and run the football effectively, UConn will capture that eighth win for the first time since 2010.
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.