North Carolina had never lost to UConn in football until a Freddy Kitchens-led team went into Boston for the Fenway Bowl and did just that. That loss came 17 days after the school hired Bill Belichick as it’s head coach. Will Belichick actually coaching the game make the difference this time around?
UConn Huskies
All-time Record
539–616–38, 4-5 in bowl games
Best Former player
The pick here was not an easy one, as UConn does not have many former players of much repute. The top two choices came down to quarterback
Dan Orlovsky — who is better known for his commentary and stepping out of the back of the end zone on his way to leading the Lions to an 0-16 season — and running back Donald Williams, a former first round pick who only played seven seasons in the NFL. I am going with Williams for the sole reason that he didn’t lead a team to an 0-16 season (Orlovsky only started seven games that season, but played in 10 and is probably most recognizable as the quarterback that year). Williams finished his career with 2,829 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns.
Head Coach
Jason Candle. Candle, a former Mount Union Wide Receiver, is in his first season with UConn after replacing former head coach Jim Mora. Candle, who previously coached at Toledo for 11 seasons, is 85-48 overall, including 4-4 with the Huskies so far this season. Additionally, Candle won two MAC championships and took the Rockets to nine bowl games in 11 seasons, going 3-5 (he left for UConn before the bowl game last season).
Last Season
Last season, UConn went 9-4 with wins over fellow ACC teams Duke and Boston College. UConn’s season ended in the Fenway Bowl, where they lost to Army 41-16 following the departure of head coach Jim Mora, who left the Huskies for Colorado State.
This Season
This season, UConn is 4-4 with two of the four losses being within a field goal. Like UNC, UConn lost to Syracuse on a two point conversion in overtime. However, unlike UNC, UConn has also had a blowout loss to Maryland earlier in the year as well as a three-point loss to Miami of Ohio.
Key Player of Note
UNC should be very aware of quarterback Kalieb Osborne, who followed Candle from Toledo. Osborne is a dangerous two-way threat who has thrown for 1,857 yards and 18 touchdowns this season (against just two picks) and also has 330 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. If the Tar Heels can keep Osborne in check, they should be able to get their fifth win of the season and end their current two-game losing streak.
North Carolina has only played at UConn once in football, and that was a 12-10 victory all the way back in 2009. Needing just two more wins in their last four, this feels like a must-win game for UNC to make a bowl game and salvage what has been a more promising season than year one for Coach Belichick.
What do you think about the Tar Heels’ next opponent? Let us know in the comments below.
