UConn football future opponents: Week 3

UConn scored its first points against an FBS opponent on Saturday, but did so in a 52-21 defeat that was never close as Army found the end zone in its first six possessions. With just eight games to go, here’s how the Huskies’ remaining opponents played this weekend.

Wyoming (3-0) - Sept. 25

The Cowboys scored the first 31 points of the game, all of which were before the half, and did not permit Ball State to hang a number on the scoreboard until 1:59 remained in the third quarter as the hosts took the Cardinals to the woodshed, 45-12.

Interestingly, the teams had an even split of possessions and first downs (19), but Wyoming out-gained its opponents 378-260. The Cowboys also had two interceptions, each of which were returned for a touchdown.

Under center, Sean Chambers went 14-of-23 passing for 201 yards and a touchdown through the air and the ground. Wyoming shared the load on the ground with three rushers grabbing more than 40 yards and four with more than five attempts but none with more than 15. Xazavian Valladay (61 yards) led the way, adding a touchdown.

Vanderbilt (1-2) - Oct. 2

The Commodores hosted Stanford and held with the Cardinal through much of the first half, but the visitors scored 13 points in the final two minutes of the second quarter and rode the momentum to a 41-23 victory.

At quarterback, Ken Seals struggled mightily for Vanderbilt, completing just 16 of his 37 passes for 120 yards with a touchdown and the interception that helped catalyze the Cardinal’s flurry of scoring at the end of the half. However, Mike Wright subbed in on the final drive and found his receivers twice in three tries for 30 yards and a touchdown on the game’s final play. He also had 36 of his team’s 247 rushing yards. Rocko Griffin eclipsed 100 yards on the ground, going for 107 yards, though Re’Mahn Davis (76 yards) had the team’s lone rushing score.

UMass (0-3) - Oct. 9

Eastern Michigan got off to a fast start in Amherst, scoring three touchdowns within the first 18:01 of game time which helped keep the Minutemen at arm’s length in a game that finished 42-28 in favor of the Eagles.

Each team gained over 500 yards and had more than 25 first downs. Brady Olson completed 22 of his 38 passes for 288 yards, adding a pair of scores and an interception. Ellis Merriweather carried the load on the ground, going for 142 yards on 23 carries. The only other running back to record multiple carries was Carter Scudo, who had 33 yards and a score on four attempts. Eastern Michigan also left six points off the table, missing a pair of makeable field goals — one at 43 yards and another from 39 yards out.

Yale (0-1) - Oct. 16

The Bulldogs hosted Holy Cross on Saturday, taking a 20-17 defeat. The Crusaders drilled a 47-yard field goal with just 48 seconds remaining and then intercepted Yale on its first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive to ice the game.

It was a defensive battle as Yale slightly out-gained Holy Cross, 356-350. Neither team reached the 20 first down mark, as the Bulldogs had 19 to the Crusaders’ 15. Most of the reps at quarterback went to Griffin O’Connor, who was 15-of-29 passing for 234 yards and a touchdown, as well as the aforementioned interception. Zane Dudek was Yale’s leading rusher, going for 69 yards on 15 carries. Nolan Groomes also factored in, completing all three of his passes for 18 yards, with an additional 25 yards rushing on six attempts.

MTSU (1-2) - Oct. 22

MTSU scored the game’s final 13 points, but it was not enough to take down UTSA on the road. The Blue Raiders had just 199 total yards, while the home Roadrunners had 452 yards. This was partially due to the nine TFL that UTSA had, including five sacks, resulting in just eight rushing yards for MTSU.

Chase Cunningham had 150 yards passing, completing nine of his 18 passes with two touchdowns. Bailey Hockman was much less efficient, throwing 5-for-12 with 41 yards and an interception. It wasn’t much better on the ground with Martell Pettaway and Amir Rasul tying for the team lead on 23 yards rushing.

No. 9 Clemson (2-1) - Nov. 13

The Tigers opened up ACC play Saturday against Georgia Tech in a contest that included a multi-hour weather delay. Clemson struggled on the road against the Yellow Jackets, eking out a 14-8 win.

The weather stifled both offenses, as Georgia Tech gained 309 yards to just 284 for a Clemson offense that has sputtered all season without Trevor Lawrence. The two teams combined for 11 punts — including on five of six drives at one point, with the sixth being the end of the first half. D.J. Uiagalelei was efficient enough, completing 18 of 25 passes, but gained just 125 yards. He added 46 more yards on the ground, while the rushing attack was led by Will Shipley (88 yards).

UCF (2-1) - Nov. 20

The Knights’ date with Louisville on Friday had one of the most exciting endings of the college football season. UCF tied the game at 35-all with just 1:21 to go. The visiting Knights got an interception on Louisville’s next drive and looked to be in business with possession on the Cardinals' 41-yard line with 25 seconds to go.

However, Dillon Gabriel’s pass on the next play found the arms of Louisville’s Jaylin Alderman, who took it 66 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Gabriel had a strong game outside of that pass, throwing for three scores and tying the game at 35 with a rushing touchdown. He was 22-of-29 passing for 184 yards, adding another 18 on the ground. Johnny Richardson had a good evening as well, rushing just nine times for 101 yards.

Houston (2-1) - Nov. 27

The Cougars welcomed FCS foe Grambling State to town and tossed them around, taking a 45-0 victory. Grambling had just 102 total yards and three first downs, including zero first downs and 24 yards in the second half as Houston’s defense smothered the Tigers all evening.

The Cougars started off slow, first missing a field goal, followed by an interception and then a drive that went just 15 yards, but the offense eventually perked up and punted just three more times the rest of the way. Ike Ogobgu threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-22 passing, while Alton McCaskill paced Houston on the ground. He rushed for 114 yards on six attempts and found the end zone twice.