UConn Football Future Opponents: Week 7

UConn is on the bye this week and looks forward to the second half of the season. Here’s how the second half slate of opponents played in Week 7.

No. 23 USF (6-0) - Oct. 20

USF is fortunate to remain undefeated after Friday night’s scare against Tulsa. The Bulls trailed 24-10 headed into the final quarter and it took a 22-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to push the visitors over the top, 25-24. This was despite USF out-gaining its opponent 487-to-299 and getting 10 more first downs, but the Bulls are now bowl eligible and are one of 11 undefeated teams remaining in FBS.

Blake Barnett was inefficient throwing the ball, completing 17-of-39 of his passes for 237 yards and an interception, but he did run the ball for a touchdown twice. Jordan Cronkite scored once on the ground on another long run as part of a 151-yard day to lead USF’s 250-yard rushing attack.

UMass (2-5) - Oct. 27

The Minutemen had the week off and return to action against Coastal Carolina on October 20.

Tulsa (1-5) - Nov. 3

Tulsa appeared to have its first FBS win of the year firmly in its grasp against a ranked team in USF, but the Golden Hurricane went three-and-out on each their final three possessions, while the Bulls scored on each of their last three drives to serve up the defeat, 25-24.

Seth Boomer scored a touchdown through the air, but was only 6-of-21 passing for 79 yards, though he gained 46 more on the ground. Shamari Brooks ran for 100 yards even and two touchdowns as well.

SMU (2-4) - Nov. 10

SMU is taking its bye this week as well and returns on October 20 against Tulane.

ECU (2-4) - Nov. 17

The Pirates turned the ball over four times and were crushed by Houston on Saturday, 42-20 in a game that was never close, as the score was 42-6 deep into the fourth quarter. ECU owned the first-down battle, 27-18. Total yards were almost identical, but three interceptions combined with a strip sack turned touchdown by Ed Oliver proved to be the difference. The Pirates gained only 41 yards on the ground and quarterback Reid Herring was intercepted twice in addition to his fumble.

Temple (4-3) - Nov. 24

In a back-and-forth game in which neither team had more than a seven-point lead at any point, Anthony Russo’s 62-yard touchdown pass to Ventell Bryant was the difference for the Owls in a 24-17 victory over Navy. Temple scored the final 17 points of the game.

The Midshipmen’s triple option did its thing, as they gained 270 yards on the ground, but the Owls stepped up late, as Navy gained just one yard on two drives after the home side took the lead for good. Russo completed 23-of-31 of his passes for 300 yards with an interception mixed in with the touchdown to Bryant.