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KICKOFF: 3:30 P.M. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
ANNOUNCERS: Ed Cohen (play-by-play), Randy Cross (color analyst), Josh Martin (sideline)
RADIO: UConn IMG Radio Network; Varsity Network App; 97.9 ESPN Hartford, WINE 940 AM, WGCH 1490 AM, WICC 600 AM, WAVZ 1300 AM, WATR 1320 AM WILI 1400 AM and 95.3 FM
ANNOUNCERS: Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline), Bob Joyce (pregame host)
RECORDS: UConn (0-4), Wyoming (3-0)
LAST WEEK: Army beat UConn, 52-21; Wyoming took down Ball State, 45-12
POINT SPREAD: Wyoming - 30.5
OVER/UNDER: 54.5
SERIES HISTORY: The UConn Huskies and Wyoming Cowboys have never met on the gridiron before.
OPPONENT PREVIEW: Wyoming
WEATHER FORECAST: East Hartford, CT
Fun With Numbers
701 - The number of days between UConn football wins (as of game day)
46 - Total tackles by linebacker Jackson Mitchell which leads the country
11.5 - Average number of tackles per game by Mitchell which is sixth best in FBS
84.3 - Travis Jones’ rating from PFF which makes him the highest graded interior defensive lineman in the country.
1912 - According to Google Maps, the distance (miles) between Laramie, WY and Storrs, CT
2 - Interceptions returned for a touchdown by Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma which is tied for best in the country
96 - Number of yards Brian Brewton’s kickoff return for a touchdown was vs Army. It was the first time a UConn has returned a kickoff for a touchdown since Robbie Frey did it in the Fiesta Bowl in 2011 vs Oklahoma
169 - Total yards generated by Tyler Phommachanh vs Army in his first collegiate start
What to watch for
Mazzone’s impact
The school confirmed this week that Noel Mazzone would remain an offensive advisor to UConn, extending his contract with the program for at least another week, Mike Anthony reported on Tuesday. UConn's offense looked competent, at least, with the veteran coach's fingers in the playbook, with season highs in total yards and points scored against FBS opponents. It'll be tough to continue this at home against a Wyoming defense ranked in the top 50 in defensive SP+, but with the emergence of quarterback Tyler Phommachanh and 'the offense they've built around him, UConn has as good of a chance as any to build on the success started last week.
Message Sent
When UConn lines up on either side of the ball on Saturday against Wyoming, expect to see plenty of unfamiliar faces. Interim coach Lou Spanos made several alterations to the depth chart after a full week of practices and the Army game, many that could be permanent.
“We’re going to create competition in practice,” Spanos said in availability on Tuesday. With the competition, it raises each level up higher. We have to have that consistently throughout the week and also on game day.”
In total, UConn will have 14 freshmen starting the game on Saturday, coming at the expense of some surprising members of the team. Kevin Mensah was UConn's leading rusher three years running, and is just over 1000 yards short of breaking Donald Brown's all-time rushing record, but finds himself as a backup on Saturday behind freshman Nate Carter, after getting just two carries against Army.
Other notable changes to the depth chart include redshirt sophomore Noel Ofori-Nyadu at left guard, redshirt freshman Malik Dixon at safety, and freshmen Aaron Turner and Keelan Marion at wide receiver.