In 2021, the Connecticut Huskies football team finished with a record of 1-11 with their only victory coming against an FCS opponent in the name of the Ivy League’s Yale Bulldogs.
Late in that season, they decided to make a program-altering hire as they signed Jim Mora to a deal through 2026 that would pay him $1.5 million in 2022 and then would allow him to receive incentives in the years following.
The hire was surprising for a struggling program like UConn, Mora had tons of experience in both the
NFL and at UCLA, including two ten win seasons in the Pac 12.
It’s safe to say the signing proved to be a smart one, as the Huskies just had Mora put the pen to the paper again last winter, extending his deal through 2028.
Why?
Although it took a few years, Mora completely flipped the program on its head, as last year he led Connecticut to a 9-4 record, their best record since 2010 and just the third time Connecticut football has won nine games or more.
One of those four losses, a 31-24 defeat against the Kyle McCord and the Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome on November 23rd.
It is safe to say Mora and company are going to be chomping at the bit to return to Syracuse, and the Orange should be extremely careful to not overlook this matchup.
In 2022, Jim Mora defeated Boston College 13-3 for the school’s first victory against against an ACC opponent since 2016.
Last year, UConn faced off against four ACC opponents.
The Results:
- September 14 @ Duke: 26-21 L
- October 19 vs. Wake Forest: 23-20 L
- November 23 @ Syracuse: 31-24 L
- December 28 vs. North Carolina: 27-14 W
Three one possession losses and a victory over a talented North Carolina team in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl.
The man orchestrating the offense and throwing for two touchdowns in both the Syracuse and the North Carolina games, Joe Fagnano, who is now a seventh year graduate student and is still slinging the rock for the Huskies.
He has battled through countless injuries, and I am expecting for him to come on Saturday with a chip on his shoulder.
With all of that being said, I know Fran Brown coming off a loss will be ready to go at noon eastern this Saturday.
However, I also know this will be no cakewalk, and the defense, especially the secondary, is going to need to step up if Syracuse wants to improve to 1-1 on the season.
Should be a fun one! What are your predictions for the game this weekend?