UConn Eyes Historic 10-Win Season in Fenway Bowl Clash with Army
It’s been a season to remember for UConn football, and now the Huskies have a shot to put an exclamation point on it. With a chance to notch their first-ever 10-win campaign at the FBS level, UConn heads to a familiar venue - Fenway Park - to take on Army in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday. And yes, they’ll be sharing the same sideline again in one of college football’s quirkiest settings.
This is no ceremonial bowl appearance for UConn. It’s a program-defining opportunity. The Huskies are coming off a season that’s already turned heads, and now they’re looking to close it out with back-to-back Fenway Bowl wins - something that would’ve sounded like a fantasy not long ago.
Quarterback Carousel: Who’s Under Center?
The biggest question for UConn heading into Saturday isn’t about motivation - it’s about who’s taking the snaps.
With veteran quarterback Joe Fagnano opting out to prepare for the next level and two starting offensive linemen in the transfer portal, the Huskies are turning to their depth chart. Interim head coach Gordon Sammis kept things close to the vest when asked about the quarterback situation, but he made it clear they’ve got a plan.
“We’ve got a plan, a couple of guys ready to go,” Sammis said Friday in Boston.
That plan likely includes Nick Evers, the most experienced of the trio, along with freshman Ksaan Farrar and redshirt-sophomore Tucker McDonald. McDonald, a Massachusetts native, has missed most of the season with a hand injury but could be in the mix if healthy.
Offensive Weapons Still Locked In
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, UConn’s top playmakers are suiting up - and that’s huge.
Consensus All-American wide receiver Skyler Bell confirmed he’ll play, as did standout running back Cam Edwards. The big question is how much they’ll be used, especially with new faces under center. Bell, though, doesn’t seem too worried about the chemistry.
“There’s always gonna be some different things when you play with a different quarterback, but everything’s the same,” Bell said. “We’re still running the same offense, same plays… I think we’re going to be fine on Saturday because it’s next man up.”
That “next man up” mentality has defined this UConn team all season, and it’ll be tested again at Fenway.
Defense Ready for Army’s Ground Assault
UConn’s defense, for the most part, will be at full strength - and they’ll need every bit of it against Army’s option-heavy offense that ranks fifth in the country in rushing yards per game (245.5). Army’s won five of its last eight and comes in with momentum - and a style that’s particularly tough to prepare for.
Linebacker Bryun Parham, who’s racked up 10.5 sacks this season (top-10 nationally), is expected to play, as is most of the starting unit. Defensive back Cam Chadwick, who’s already entered the portal, is also suiting up. That kind of buy-in, even from players with one foot out the door, speaks volumes about the culture inside the locker room.
It’s going to be cold - around 25 degrees at kickoff - and that’s only going to amplify the physicality of this matchup. Army’s going to run, and then run some more.
UConn’s run defense has been shaky at times this year (ranked 114th nationally, giving up 185.5 yards per game), but they’ve shown the ability to hang tough. Just two games ago, they gave up 290 rushing yards to Air Force and still found a way to win.
Ground Game Key for UConn, Too
Don’t expect UConn to shy away from the run game either. Ranked 69th in the nation with 159 rushing yards per game, the Huskies have a deep and diverse backfield that could be the difference on Saturday.
Cam Edwards will lead the charge, but he won’t be alone. Bristol native Victor Rosa - who had a breakout game against Army in 2022 - is expected to see action, along with Mel Brown, Oliver Lundberg-Coleman, and the explosive Terrence Smith, who adds a receiver’s speed to the backfield.
This is going to be a physical game, and UConn seems ready to embrace it.
Respect from the Opponent
Army head coach Jeff Monken knows what kind of challenge his team is walking into.
“We recognize what a physical team UConn is, and that’s in all phases,” Monken said. “That starts with Coach (Jim) Mora and the program that he built and certainly with their coaches and their players - they take on that personality.”
Even with Mora not on the sidelines this weekend, the identity he helped forge is still front and center. And interim coach Gordon Sammis is fully bought in.
“We talked from the beginning about trying to break records and make history,” Sammis said. “We’re gonna try to do that one more time and send these guys out the right way because they’ve earned it and they deserve it. We’re gonna try to finish the mission.”
Game Info
- Site: Fenway Park, Boston
- Time: 2:15 p.m.
ET
- TV: ESPN (Wes Durham, Steve Addazio, Dana Boyle)
- Line: Army favored by 7.5
- Series: UConn leads, 5-4
The Huskies have been chasing history all season, and now they’re 60 minutes away from making it. One more win, and this team cements its place in UConn football lore.