KICKOFF: 2:00 p.m.
TV: The Wax; UConn+, WFSB+
ANNOUNCERS: Randy Brochu (play-by-play), Marc Robbins (analyst), Joe Zone (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 383 (UConn)
ANNOUNCERS:
Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline)RECORDS: UConn (0-0), CCSU (0-0)
LAST WEEK: This is the first game of 2025 for both teams.
UConn finished the 2024 season as Wasabi Fenway Bowl champions
POINT SPREAD: UConn -25.5 (odds via FanDuel)
O/U: 51.5
SERIES HISTORY: This is just the second time that the Huskies and Blue Devils have faced each other in FBS. UConn picked up a 28-3 win in 2022 in Jim Mora’s first season as head coach. They have also faced each other three times in FCS, with the Huskies picking up three wins.
PREGAME PRESS CONFERENCE(S): UConn head coach Jim Mora; CCSU head coach Adam Lechtenberg (CT Scoreboard Podcast)
WEATHER FORECAST: East Hartford, CT
Fun With Numbers
11.1: It will be just an 11.1-mile drive for the Blue Devils from their campus to Rentschler Field.
25.3: Meanwhile, UConn will drive 25.3 miles from Storrs for its home games.
5: With the 2020 season cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is UConn’s fifth season as an independent after leaving the American Athletic Conference.
2: There are just two FBS independent schools left now: UConn and Notre Dame.
7: UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano is in his seventh year of college football.
21: The Huskies are 21-2 vs FCS teams in the FBS era of the program.
2,590: UConn rushed for 2,590 yards in 2024 which is the second most in their history
112.5: Central Connecticut only allowed 112.5 yards rushing per game in 2024.
199.2: UConn rushed for 199.2 yards per game in 2024.
397.6: The Huskies averaged 397.6 total yards per game on offense in 2024.
357.3: The UConn defense gave up 357.3 yards per game which was 46th best in FBS.
81: The Huskies came in at 81 in the 2025 SP+ preseason rankings. Of their 2025 opponents, Duke (43rd), Syracuse (55th) and Boston College (61st) are ranked higher.
31.9: UConn averaged 31.9 points during the 2024 season while giving up an average of 23.1 points.
What to watch for
New Look Defense
The Huskies are replacing a lot of defensive talent at all three levels. But they should still have an edge against FCS competition. Tackling and cohesiveness may be an issue early with so many new faces, but against players that are smaller, slower, and fewer in number, UConn’s D-line should get a push and nobody in the secondary should be getting beat deep. Matt Brock’s defense set the tone last year and was crucial to the 8-win regular season that ended with a bowl win. It needs to be as good this year, and look fairly dominant on Saturday.
An FCS Start
The last few seasons, UConn has started the year with tough games. Last year’s opener was at Maryland. Before that a home game against NC State, and the two years before that were on the road against upper-tier Mountain West opponents Utah State and Fresno State. As with the defense, this CCSU matchup offers the opportunity to start the season on a high note and build from there, rather than looking to build confidence and momentum after a loss. The Huskies have a challenging road battle with Syracuse coming up next week. They can’t look past CCSU, a solid FCS team that won its conference last year, but if this season is going to go how it needs to, today has to have the look of a dress rehearsal for next week.
One More Year With Joe
Joe Fagnano has earned the starting quarterback duties with his performance last season. For the first time in a long time, UConn has a returning incumbent coming in as the starting QB. Fagnano showed good decision-making and an ability to make plays to win the starting role. He’s working with an established running back room and rebuilt O-line and receiver units, and expectations are for the offense to take a step forward. Star WR Skyler Bell is back and the tight end room has received some acclaim from head coach Jim Mora.
In his last FCS outing, Fagnano threw five touchdown passes in a rout of Merrimack, a new Division 1 school. CCSU represents stronger competition, but UConn’s seventh-year QB and assembled talent should be able to lead the way for a dominant win.
Transfer Starters
At receiver, O-line, and everywhere on the defense, we’ve got new starters expected to make an impact. Jim Mora’s two-deep has a number of players who are new to the team, including middle linebackers Tyquan King and Bryun Parham and the whole defensive line, including Ben Smiley from Virginia, Vincent Carrol-Jackson from Nebraska, and Stephon Wright from Texas Southern by way of SMU.
Transfer recruiting is a huge part of why UConn is expected to continue its success in 2025. Let’s see how it plays out.
