KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
ANNOUNCERS: James Westling (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst)
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 390 (UConn)
ANNOUNCERS: Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline)
RECORDS: UConn (2-2), Buffalo (2-2, 1-0 MAC)
LAST WEEK: UConn fought off a pesky Ball State squad, 31-26; Buffalo gave up 21 unanswered points in a 21-17 loss to Troy
POINT SPREAD: UConn – 3.5 (odds via FanDuel)
O/U: 50.5
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 13th time the two teams have faced off as FBS opponents. UConn has won 10 of the 12 previous matchups. The Huskies own a 7-3 record against Buffalo when the teams faced off in the 1-AA (now FCS) era.
GAME NOTES WITH DEPTH CHART: UConn; Buffalo
PREGAME PRESS CONFERENCE(S): UConn head coach Jim Mora; Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo
WEATHER FORECAST: Amherst, NY
Fun With Numbers
2: Two former Huskies play for the Bulls, Ta’Quan Roberson and Jasaiah Gathings. Roberson made 10 starts for the Huskies in 2023 after suffering a season-ending injury during the second series of the 2022 opener against Utah State. Gathings had 32 catches for 307 yards and three touchdowns during his lone season at UConn in 2024. Roberson is doubtful for the game.
194: Cam Edwards ran for a career-high 194 yards in the win over Ball State last week. He also had two touchdown runs.
16: The Buffalo defense has 16 sacks which ties them for the best in FBS this season with Maryland, Oklahoma and USC.
14: Skyler Bell caught a career-high 14 passes last week for 113 yards with a touchdown catch. Also, the UConn defense is ranked eighth in the nation with 14 sacks.
3: Both the Bulls and Huskies offensive lines have given up just three sacks on the season. For Buffalo, it’s the best in the MAC and ranks them both 17th nationally.
0: UConn has not committed a turnover in its first four games of the season. They join Alabama, Houston, San Diego State and Temple as the only teams not to have one.
4: Buffalo has forced at least one turnover in each of their games this season.
445: Bell is second in the country with 445 receiving yards on the season. He is also first in the country with 36 catches.
500: Edwards is sixth in the country with 500 rushing yards in the first four games.
493.8: UConn is ranked 16th in total offense with 493.8 yards per game.
98: Huskies head coach Jim Mora has 98 career wins at the college level.
What to watch for
A Different Buffalo Game
Last year, UConn beat this team 47-3 in the Huskies’ second blowout victory in a row after topping FAU 48-14 the previous week. 2024 Buffalo was a better team than that score indicated, and head coach Pete Lembo has maintained enough roster continuity to be a competitor in the MAC this year. They’re 2-2 at this point with a track record similar to UConn’s: early loss to a mid P4 team, an FCS win, and a 1-1 record against G5 opponents.
Expect a closer game this time around, not only because it’s on the road. We’re not as confident about UConn’s stability on the offensive line or defensive front, and the team has to prove that it can close out games. Holding late 4th-quarter leads in the Delaware and Syracuse games and then leaving with a loss, followed by a shaky win over Ball State, is not a recipe for confidence. These Huskies need to find some, fast.
Different RBs
Cam Edwards carried the ball 24 times against Ball State while three other RBs combined for 17 yards on six carries. UConn needs to get more out of Victor Rosa, MJ Flowers, and Oliver Lundberg Coleman. Terrence Smith has also seen time in the backfield, though he’s listed on the roster as a WR.
Of course, the Edwards train can just keep rolling — nobody will complain if he goes for a career high again — but it’s a long season and probably best to minimize wear and tear on your star back when one is already hurt.
Better Defense
While questions remain for the Husky offensive line, run game, and passing attack, the defense has shown signs of improvement, and new guys like Bryun Parham and Tyrece Mills have made an impact. Roberson may not be playing for the Bulls, and even if he is, Buffalo’s offense has not been particularly proficient through the first four games. They had a good outing against Kent State, one of the worst teams in FBS, but do not have a ton of weapons beyond RB Al-Jay Henderson (274 yards, 4 TDs rushing, 3.4 ypc, 115 yards receiving) and WR Victor Snow (16 rec, 206 yards, 3 TD). UConn’s defense has a chance to show improvement and make a difference in a game that could be a defensive battle.
