I know the season is already underway, and I'm starting this thread a bit late. Just thought it would be nice to have a place to discuss UConn football somewhere on this site. Also thought it might be a nice way to keep activity up on the board for a few months of the basketball off-season.

Use this thread to post anything relating to UConn football. Opinions, recruiting news, game analysis, etc.

I'll start this off by giving my opinion on our performance against CCSU, and my expectations for our game @Syracuse on Saturday.

I was quite happy with how we played against Central Connecticut. I know they are FCS, but they are typically one of the better FCS teams and we destroyed them. In years past, this was the type of game we expected to win but knew we might lose. It has not been that type of game under Mora, which shows we have clearly taken at least a step (if not more) in the right direction. This is the first time since the days of Big East football that I've genuinely been confident in our offense as a whole, both the run and the passing game.

Our defense looked solid, however they definitely have some things to clean up and didn't apply a lot of pressure to the QB. We had a lot of turnover on the D Line so this is one area I was slightly concerned about coming into the season, and is one thing I will be keeping an eye on throughout the rest of season. It's only one game, and our defense looks capable of not solid. However, they do appear to be potentially vulnerable to big plays and struggled to tackle CCSU's tight end a couple times. Need to fix those things, or else the ACC teams we play may pick us apart.

In summary, last year both our offense and defense were solid, but the defense was the strength. This year, I think both are again solid, but the offense will be the strength.

I also just wanted to note I thought it was awesome the way we packed the stands for our FCS game. There were definitely some CCSU fans there, but reading we had the highest attendance outside the P4 week 1 was awesome, and good optics for the program.

As far as the Cuse game goes, they definitely didn't do anything against Tennessee to intimidate me. Tennessee is also a damn good team, so it will be interesting to see how UConn and Cuse match up. My gut tells me we are going to win this, but my head is telling me to pump the brakes. This is not the type of game we have won a lot of the past 15 years. But this year is different in the sense I know we at least have a chance. I think this will be a very competitive game, and whoever wins will do so by a TD or less. Excited for Saturday!

(09-03-2025 01:31 PM)Nameless Wrote:  I'll start this off by giving my opinion on our performance against CCSU, and my expectations for our game @Syracuse on Saturday.

I was quite happy with how we played against Central Connecticut. I know they are FCS, but they are typically one of the better FCS teams and we destroyed them. In years past, this was the type of game we expected to win but knew we might lose. It has not been that type of game under Mora, which shows we have clearly taken at least a step (if not more) in the right direction. This is the first time since the days of Big East football that I've genuinely been confident in our offense as a whole, both the run and the passing game.

Our defense looked solid, however they definitely have some things to clean up and didn't apply a lot of pressure to the QB. We had a lot of turnover on the D Line so this is one area I was slightly concerned about coming into the season, and is one thing I will be keeping an eye on throughout the rest of season. It's only one game, and our defense looks capable of not solid. However, they do appear to be potentially vulnerable to big plays and struggled to tackle CCSU's tight end a couple times. Need to fix those things, or else the ACC teams we play may pick us apart.

In summary, last year both our offense and defense were solid, but the defense was the strength. This year, I think both are again solid, but the offense will be the strength.

I also just wanted to note I thought it was awesome the way we packed the stands for our FCS game. There were definitely some CCSU fans there, but reading we had the highest attendance outside the P4 week 1 was awesome, and good optics for the program.

As far as the Cuse game goes, they definitely didn't do anything against Tennessee to intimidate me. Tennessee is also a damn good team, so it will be interesting to see how UConn and Cuse match up. My gut tells me we are going to win this, but my head is telling me to pump the brakes. This is not the type of game we have won a lot of the past 15 years. But this year is different in the sense I know we at least have a chance. I think this will be a very competitive game, and whoever wins will do so by a TD or less. Excited for Saturday!

Looking at the UConn schedule, it seems the Huskies could win eight or nine games, NLess. That would be strong.

Good luck this season.

(09-04-2025 07:38 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-03-2025 01:31 PM)Nameless Wrote:  I'll start this off by giving my opinion on our performance against CCSU, and my expectations for our game @Syracuse on Saturday.

I was quite happy with how we played against Central Connecticut. I know they are FCS, but they are typically one of the better FCS teams and we destroyed them. In years past, this was the type of game we expected to win but knew we might lose. It has not been that type of game under Mora, which shows we have clearly taken at least a step (if not more) in the right direction. This is the first time since the days of Big East football that I've genuinely been confident in our offense as a whole, both the run and the passing game.

Our defense looked solid, however they definitely have some things to clean up and didn't apply a lot of pressure to the QB. We had a lot of turnover on the D Line so this is one area I was slightly concerned about coming into the season, and is one thing I will be keeping an eye on throughout the rest of season. It's only one game, and our defense looks capable of not solid. However, they do appear to be potentially vulnerable to big plays and struggled to tackle CCSU's tight end a couple times. Need to fix those things, or else the ACC teams we play may pick us apart.

In summary, last year both our offense and defense were solid, but the defense was the strength. This year, I think both are again solid, but the offense will be the strength.

I also just wanted to note I thought it was awesome the way we packed the stands for our FCS game. There were definitely some CCSU fans there, but reading we had the highest attendance outside the P4 week 1 was awesome, and good optics for the program.

As far as the Cuse game goes, they definitely didn't do anything against Tennessee to intimidate me. Tennessee is also a damn good team, so it will be interesting to see how UConn and Cuse match up. My gut tells me we are going to win this, but my head is telling me to pump the brakes. This is not the type of game we have won a lot of the past 15 years. But this year is different in the sense I know we at least have a chance. I think this will be a very competitive game, and whoever wins will do so by a TD or less. Excited for Saturday!

Looking at the UConn schedule, it seems the Huskies could win eight or nine games, NLess. That would be strong.

Good luck this season.

I think the goal this year is at least 9-3 in the regular season. We beat all of our non "P" opponents last season, so doing so two seasons in a row would be another indicator we are trending in the right direction. Anything less than matching last year's regular season record (8-4) would be a let down. I agree, the schedule is weak, so we should be able to compile a nice win total by season's end.

I would love to see us beat one of our ACC opponents and go at least 10-2, then win a nice bowl game. That would be another huge step towards football respectability

One week at a time. Beating Syracuse would be huge. But only if we follow it up by beating Delaware a week later or it would be for naught.

(09-04-2025 09:52 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-04-2025 07:38 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-03-2025 01:31 PM)Nameless Wrote:  I'll start this off by giving my opinion on our performance against CCSU, and my expectations for our game @Syracuse on Saturday.

I was quite happy with how we played against Central Connecticut. I know they are FCS, but they are typically one of the better FCS teams and we destroyed them. In years past, this was the type of game we expected to win but knew we might lose. It has not been that type of game under Mora, which shows we have clearly taken at least a step (if not more) in the right direction. This is the first time since the days of Big East football that I've genuinely been confident in our offense as a whole, both the run and the passing game.

Our defense looked solid, however they definitely have some things to clean up and didn't apply a lot of pressure to the QB. We had a lot of turnover on the D Line so this is one area I was slightly concerned about coming into the season, and is one thing I will be keeping an eye on throughout the rest of season. It's only one game, and our defense looks capable of not solid. However, they do appear to be potentially vulnerable to big plays and struggled to tackle CCSU's tight end a couple times. Need to fix those things, or else the ACC teams we play may pick us apart.

In summary, last year both our offense and defense were solid, but the defense was the strength. This year, I think both are again solid, but the offense will be the strength.

I also just wanted to note I thought it was awesome the way we packed the stands for our FCS game. There were definitely some CCSU fans there, but reading we had the highest attendance outside the P4 week 1 was awesome, and good optics for the program.

As far as the Cuse game goes, they definitely didn't do anything against Tennessee to intimidate me. Tennessee is also a damn good team, so it will be interesting to see how UConn and Cuse match up. My gut tells me we are going to win this, but my head is telling me to pump the brakes. This is not the type of game we have won a lot of the past 15 years. But this year is different in the sense I know we at least have a chance. I think this will be a very competitive game, and whoever wins will do so by a TD or less. Excited for Saturday!

Looking at the UConn schedule, it seems the Huskies could win eight or nine games, NLess. That would be strong.

Good luck this season.

I think the goal this year is at least 9-3 in the regular season. We beat all of our non "P" opponents last season, so doing so two seasons in a row would be another indicator we are trending in the right direction. Anything less than matching last year's regular season record (8-4) would be a let down. I agree, the schedule is weak, so we should be able to compile a nice win total by season's end.

I would love to see us beat one of our ACC opponents and go at least 10-2, then win a nice bowl game. That would be another huge step towards football respectability

To be clear, I don't feel UConn has a "weak" schedule. But it is underwhelming, thus yielding opportunity for lots of wins.

(09-04-2025 10:42 AM)shizzle787 Wrote:  One week at a time. Beating Syracuse would be huge. But only if we follow it up by beating Delaware a week later or it would be for naught.

Well framed, Shizzy.

I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

I watched Delaware lose to CU this weekend. They have a couple nice players including a WR from UMich, I believe, who made some plays. They had an Int, a fumble inside CU’s 10 and a punt where the punter muffed the snap. Good luck to the Huskies!

(09-08-2025 09:15 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

Don't despair, NLess. Some of us respect the effort UConn football is making. Stay the course.

(09-08-2025 09:15 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

Just checking in... so if losing to Syracuse somehow proves UConn is an average college football team because "you should have won," what does that make Delaware? National championship contenders?

(09-14-2025 10:41 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  

(09-08-2025 09:15 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

Just checking in... so if losing to Syracuse somehow proves UConn is an average college football team because "you should have won," what does that make Delaware? National championship contenders?

I can appreciate a good troll, but this is just a dumb comment.

Yes, we seemed to be an average FBS team after having a 9-4 season, blowing out our FCS opponent week 1 and leading against Cuse until the final minute of the game. We were ranked somewhere between 60-70 in every ranking system I saw leading up to this game, which is the epitome of average. No, beating an average team by 3 in OT doesn't make you a natty contender...

Come on man. If you're gonna troll at least try

(09-09-2025 08:47 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-08-2025 09:15 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

Don't despair, NLess. Some of us respect the effort UConn football is making. Stay the course.

I appreciate it bill, it's just frustrating. I was really, really excited for the season after last year. I knew we had the talent and the schedule to compile another good record and build some momentum. Then we choked away the game in week 2, and our defense got lit up in week 3 by a recent FCS call up. I've thought Delaware was better than they were being given credit for since the pre season (they are far from the worst team in FBS) but it still sucks.

Have some stressors in my life right now that are out of my control and was hoping to use this season as a bit of a distraction. But the way we are losing is stressful so it's kind of having the opposite impact

I find it interesting we are still 73rd in ESPN's SP+, while USF (2-1 with wins over teams #30 and #61 in the SP+) is only 71st and Delaware is only #118. The model must use data from last season as well as this one

(09-14-2025 12:41 PM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-09-2025 08:47 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-08-2025 09:15 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 09:13 AM)FenwayFriar Wrote:  I root against UConn football simply for the fact that I believe if they ever become an average program they're as good as gone. The Big East is objectively a better/more fun/more relevant conference when UConn is in it. So yesterday was a fun day seeing those highlights. And I hate Syracuse more than any school in the country.

And yes I know even if they never become average, UConn still could be gone eventually. The point remains.

Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

Don't despair, NLess. Some of us respect the effort UConn football is making. Stay the course.

I appreciate it bill, it's just frustrating. I was really, really excited for the season after last year. I knew we had the talent and the schedule to compile another good record and build some momentum. Then we choked away the game in week 2, and our defense got lit up in week 3 by a recent FCS call up. I've thought Delaware was better than they were being given credit for since the pre season (they are far from the worst team in FBS) but it still sucks.

Have some stressors in my life right now that are out of my control and was hoping to use this season as a bit of a distraction. But the way we are losing is stressful so it's kind of having the opposite impact

Sorry to hear about the stressors, NLess. Exercise is helpful for stress.

UConn now has Ball State, Buffalo and Florida International for its next three games. The Huskies need to win all three but, at the very least, go 2-1. If you go 1-2 (and that's possible given Buffalo and FIU are decent) ... the season could spiral out of hand. But there remains a chance for an eight-win season. Given the 1-2 start, that would be a positive.

Good luck.

(09-15-2025 12:01 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-14-2025 12:41 PM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-09-2025 08:47 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-08-2025 09:15 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(09-07-2025 05:58 PM)mike012779 Wrote:  Painful ending. But UConn was beating Syracuse for 59 minutes of that game, football is improving

Probably the most gut wrenching loss I can remember in football program history (at least to me.) Controlled the entire game, completely gave it away with scared play calling from the end of the 3rd quarter on. What hurts so much is had we won this game we were could easily have entered the BC game undefeated. Now, we have to wait a month just to prove ourselves against an ACC opponent again.

As far as "becoming average" we are already there. Games like this prove it, we should have won. But since we lost, it's another reason for people around the country to continue disrespecting the program.

Oh well, on to Delaware...

Don't despair, NLess. Some of us respect the effort UConn football is making. Stay the course.

I appreciate it bill, it's just frustrating. I was really, really excited for the season after last year. I knew we had the talent and the schedule to compile another good record and build some momentum. Then we choked away the game in week 2, and our defense got lit up in week 3 by a recent FCS call up. I've thought Delaware was better than they were being given credit for since the pre season (they are far from the worst team in FBS) but it still sucks.

Have some stressors in my life right now that are out of my control and was hoping to use this season as a bit of a distraction. But the way we are losing is stressful so it's kind of having the opposite impact

Sorry to hear about the stressors, NLess. Exercise is helpful for stress.

UConn now has Ball State, Buffalo and Florida International for its next three games. The Huskies need to win all three but, at the very least, go 2-1. If you go 1-2 (and that's possible given Buffalo and FIU are decent) ... the season could spiral out of hand. But there remains a chance for an eight-win season. Given the 1-2 start, that would be a positive.

Good luck.

Thanks, bill. Wasn't a pretty win but we got the three game stretch started off right with a W against Ball State. Defense still doesn't look good, particularly the D Line, but we are at least going to get
Mills back in the secondary soon. I'm not sure why we haven't seen Trent Jones yet either, I can't find any injury news when googling his name. Assuming he's injured but he will provide much needed D Line depth when available

It's nice to know we have a couple studs on offense in Edwards and Bell. But we won't win many games forcing the ball to the two of them the way we did on Saturday. Really need to get guys like Rosa, Murphy and Porter going so we have some more trustworthy options. Murphy already seems to be performing and is the clear 2nd option in the passing game. You can see the talent with Porter, he would've had a much bigger game on Saturday if Fagnano didn't under throw him on a deep ball. I'm not sure why Rosa isn't getting many touches. He had a great freshman year and has put up good numbers in limited touches this season. But Mora seems to prefer Lundberg-Coleman now that Mel Brown is hurt.

Long-term, the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 and ACC will each have a 9-game conference schedule. As it relates to UConn Football, that is a considerable chunk of games that the P4 will no longer be able to play against the G6 (including UConn). Imagine there is a huge financial hit with buy games that will impact a variety of athletic departments.

Just looking ahead, next year: five of last seven games are on the road; in 2027, five of first seven games are on the road. Thus, between October 10th, 2026, and October 30, 2027, UConn Football will play ten road games (out of a possible fourteen contests). That's wild.