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KICKOFF: 12:00 p.m Eastern
TV: ESPNU, WatchESPN.com
ANNOUNCERS: Mike Corey (play-by-play), Rene Ingoglia (color analyst)
RADIO: UConn IMG Radio Network; TuneIn; Sirius 111, XM 380
ANNOUNCERS: Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline)
RECORDS: UMass (2-6); UConn (1-6, 0-4 AAC)
POINT SPREAD: UMass -5
OVER/UNDER: 68.5
SERIES HISTORY: The UConn Huskies and the UMass Minutemen have previously met 72 times on the gridiron with UMass holding the advantage as they are 36-34-2 against UConn.
LAST MEETING: The last time these two teams met was back in 2012 where the Huskies defense held the Minutemen to just 59 yards of total offense in a 37-0 win. UConn scored in all three phases of the game and their defense didn’t allow an offensive snap by UMass in UConn territory. The Minutemen also had just three first downs in the game.
UConn’s Depth Chart for UMass
Fun with Numbers:
8 - Number of teams who have had multiple games with a pair of 100 yard rushers. UConn’s David Pindell and Kevin Mensah are one of those pairs
686 - Rushing yards by David Pindell this season, the most by a quarterback in UConn history
7 - Rushing touchdowns by David Pindell which is sixth best among FBS quarterbacks
22 - Number of rushing touchdowns allowed by UMass, fifth most in FBS
17- Receptions by UMass WR Andy Isabella of 20 plus yards, tops among FBS receivers
35 - Number of 20-plus yard passes that UConn has allowed this season
8 - Receiving touchdowns by UMass WR Andy Isabella this season which is tied for third best among FBS wide receivers
20 - Number of receiving touchdowns allowed by UConn, the third most in FBS
What to Watch For
Quarterback Questions
UMass quarterback Andrew Ford suffered a leg injury in last week’s loss to Coastal Carolina and may not see any action this weekend. If Ford is out. the Huskies will see Ross Comis, who has thrown for 601 yards and six touchdowns and added three more scores on the ground, under center.
For UConn, it will be interesting to see if Marvin Washington, who has appeared in numerous games for garbage time minutes this season, will be with the team this week. Washington did not travel to Tampa for last week’s loss to USF.
Points Aplenty
UMass’ defense is bad, but UConn’s is still worse, so it’s almost certain this game will be a shootout. The Minutemen rank 125th in the country in scoring defense, allowing 42.3 points per game. The Huskies rank dead last (129th), giving up 51.4 points per contest. Although the weather might be a factor, these two defenses will still likely give up their fair share of points.
Homecoming Advantage
Between Homecoming and a matchup against this regional rival, this UMass game could help form the biggest and best home crowd UConn will see this season. While the weather looks like it could put a damper on things, maybe this crowd and the excitement of homecoming will be the edge the Huskies need to pick up their first FBS win of the season.
The forecast on Saturday calls for a possible Nor’easter, which at this time of the year, means it’ll be a cold, windy and rainy day at PAWSARF. Basically, it’ll be good old fashioned New England football weather.