TV: CBS Sports Network
ANNOUNCERS: Alex Del Barrio (play-by-play), Logan Ryan (analyst), Hailey Sutton (sideline)
RADIO: UConn Sports Network; Varsity Network App; 97.9 Fox Sports, WGCH 1490 AM, WAVZ 1300
AM, WILI 1400 AM and 95.3 FM, WICH 1310 AM and 94.5 FM; Sirius/XM online streaming, XM 382 (UConn)
ANNOUNCERS: Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline)
RECORDS: UConn (3-2), FIU (2-2, 0-1 CUSA)
LAST WEEK: UConn got a late field goal to beat the Buffalo Bulls, 20-17; FIU was off last week.
POINT SPREAD: UConn -7.5 (odds via FanDuel)
O/U: 53.5
SERIES HISTORY: This is just the third time the Huskies and Panthers have met on the gridiron with the two teams splitting the games. Both games were won by the road team.
GAME NOTES WITH DEPTH CHART: UConn; FIU
PREGAME PRESS CONFERENCE(S): UConn head coach Jim Mora; FIU head coach Willie Simmons
WEATHER FORECAST: East Hartford, CT
Fun With Numbers
0: UConn went penalty free in last week’s win vs Buffalo. It is just the third time in UConn’s FBS history that they have gone without a penalty. The last time came in the win over South Carolina in the 2010 Papa John’s Bowl.
305: The Panthers are the first team in the country to play in a stadium named for a musical artist, Pitbull, aka Mr. 305 (South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium).
3: The Huskies are just one of three teams in FBS that have not committed a turnover this season, along with Alabama and Temple.
11,914: FIU will travel roughly 11,914 miles to its road games this season. This week’s game against the Huskies marks the longest at 2,380 miles.
7: Including last week’s game winner, UConn kicker Chris Freeman has made seven straight field goal attempts after missing one in the season opener vs CCSU.
9: FIU has lost nine consecutive road games, with their last win coming in 2023 against Sam Houston State.
90: UConn has put up 90 points in its two wins at the Rent this season.
99: Huskies head coach Jim Mora has 99 career wins between the NFL and college and could reach the 100-win mark on Saturday.
12: The Panthers will feature 12 different uniform combinations this season. When they play at home, the field will have different designs for all home games.
557: UConn running back Cam Edwards has run for 557 yards on the season, which ranks him fifth in FBS. He is also seventh in yards per game (111.4), 13th in rushing TDs (6), 22nd in all-purpose yards (122.6), 21st in total TDs (6), and 31st in yards per carry (6.26).
2007: Edwards has moved into 10th place on the all-time rushing list at UConn. He’s 191 yards behind ninth-place Cornell Brockington
36: Johnny Chaney leads the Panthers with 36 tackles in their four games.
42: Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell leads the country with 42 catches. He’s third in receptions per game (8.40), fourth in receiving yards (499), seventh in yards per game (99.8) and 15th in receiving TDs (4).
4: The UConn offensive line has given up just four sacks on the season, which ranks them 18th in FBS. Also, FIU’s Mister Clark has four pass breakups in four games to lead the team.
14: The Huskies’ defense has 14 sacks on the seaso,n which ranks them 23rd nationally.
5.5: Bryun Parham is second in the nation in sacks with 5.5 (1.10 per game).
38: Oumar Diomonde and Parham are tied for the team lead with 38 tackles and rank 41st in the country.
What to watch for
Stop Being Clunky
Despite notching two straight wins, UConn has not been playing its best football. The Huskies were outgained in both wins and on the wrong end of Parker Fleming’s net success rate chart and Bill Connelly’s Win Probability percentage ratings. You want to win your clunkers, but if you’re putting up a clunker every week, that might just be your level.
Still, it’s good to get those victories, to hold on against Ball State, and to march down for a game-winning field goal against Buffalo after the Bulls tied the game with 0:59 left. The Huskies have not proven much this season, but they have shown an ability to compete. Their two losses came in overtime on the road in games where they held the lead late in the fourth quarter, and all four FBS games have been decided by one score. They showed impressive resolve on the road to tie the Syracuse game and win at Buffalo. Maybe they can build on this.
FIU is functionally at a similar level as Buffalo or Ball State. As in those games, the Huskies should have a slight talent edge and execute well enough to win without a struggle. But they have not yet been able to beat an FBS opponent in a way that suggests they’re a solid team. They need to get more consistent in the run game, more downfield in the passing game, and the defense has a lot of room to grow.
In the Huskies’ last outing before a bye week before a big game at Boston College after that, UConn needs to come out strong on Saturday and win by two scores, or at least not be sweating at the end. They’re favored at the Rent, in front of a homecoming crowd, and need to kick this season into gear out of neutral.
Offensive Playmakers, Step Up!
We need guys besides Cam Edwards and Skyler Bell, who have combined for 1,012 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns, to contribute offensively. Bell and Edwards are amazing, but in modern football that’s not enough.
UConn is desperately looking for someone to step up in the backfield in the wake of Mel Brown’s injury and pass catchers behind Bell have not been prolific. Second-leading receiver Reymello Murphy had a promising start to the season, but made zero catches against Buffalo and had two for six yards against Ball State. Shamar Porter and John Neider each have nine, with both coming on stronger lately.
Mora has also mentioned an interest in getting the tight ends involved, as the position has seen Juice Vereen, Louis Hansen, Nader Chirchi, and Alex Honig combine for 20 receptions and 248 yards, with two touchdowns by Honig. Their impact in the passing game is important because it allows the Husky offense to pass from run formations and run while still maintaining the threat to pass.
