One Last Ride for Gordon Sammis as UConn Eyes History at Fenway Bowl
Saturday’s Fenway Bowl isn’t just another postseason matchup-it’s a turning point for UConn football. With interim head coach Gordon Sammis set to lead the Huskies for the first-and only-time before heading to TCU as offensive coordinator, this game marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. And make no mistake: there’s plenty on the line in Boston beyond just a trophy.
After stepping in for Jim Mora, who left for Colorado State following a successful run that included back-to-back nine-win seasons and a landmark bowl win in 2024, Sammis has kept things close to the vest. He hasn’t tipped his hand about who will start under center against Army, but he’s made one thing clear: the Huskies are ready.
“We’ve got a plan, a couple of guys ready to go,” Sammis said this week. “The beauty of having this time off, we can have guys with multiple reps ready, we can have multiple plans to be able to do what we have to do to win the game.”
Quarterback Carousel: Who’s Up Next?
With Joe Fagnano opting out of the bowl game to focus on the NFL Draft, all eyes turn to Nick Evers. The former four-star recruit out of Texas has had a winding path-starting at Oklahoma, transferring to Wisconsin, and now finding a home at UConn. He’s seen limited action this season, completing 10 of 15 passes for 105 yards, but he brings upside and athleticism to the table.
Evers isn’t walking into this game alone. He’ll have a major weapon on the outside in Consensus All-American Skyler Bell, who’s putting his draft prep on hold to suit up one more time for the Huskies. Bell, who’s been the heartbeat of this offense, isn’t sweating the quarterback switch.
“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. It’s just getting the chemistry down… But I think we’re going to be fine on Saturday because it’s next man up.”
A Shot at History
This isn’t just any bowl game for UConn-it’s a chance to make history. At 9-3, the Huskies are chasing their first-ever 10-win season at the FBS level.
And they’re not just winning-they’re doing it with fireworks. This year’s team has already set school records for passing yards (3,613) and completions (297), and their 5,521 yards of total offense is the second-most in program history.
They’re three passing touchdowns and 18 total points away from setting new single-season marks in both categories.
And here’s a stat that speaks to this team’s resilience: UConn is one of only two teams in the country-alongside No. 1 Indiana-that hasn’t lost a game in regulation this season.
All three of their losses? Overtime heartbreakers, by a combined 13 points.
Army’s Bowl Pedigree Runs Deep
Don’t expect Army to roll over. Under head coach Jeff Monken, the Black Knights have become a postseason force, going 5-1 in bowl games. This will be Army’s sixth bowl game under Monken and their 12th overall, with an impressive 8-3 record in those appearances.
They’re coming off a gut-wrenching 17-16 loss to Navy in their regular-season finale, but history says they bounce back. In both 2021 and 2024, Army followed up losses to Navy with bowl wins.
Quarterback Cale Hellums is the engine of Army’s ground-heavy attack. With 22 more rushing yards, he’ll cross the 1,200-yard mark for the season-a milestone only seven other Army players have reached.
And keep an eye on slotback Noah Short. With 1,129 career rushing yards and 900 receiving, he’s just 100 yards away from becoming the first player in program history to hit 1,000 in both categories.
The Scene: Cold, Classic, and Full of Stakes
Kickoff is set for 2:15 p.m. at Fenway Park, and it’s going to be a cold one. With temperatures hovering around 25 degrees and three inches of snow already on the ground, this game has all the makings of a gritty, old-school football battle in one of baseball’s most iconic cathedrals.
For UConn, it’s a chance to cap off a transformative season with a milestone win. For Army, it’s about continuing a proud bowl tradition and bouncing back with a statement. For Gordon Sammis, it’s one final game in charge before handing the keys to Jason Candle.
There’s no shortage of storylines. And when the snow settles in Boston, one team will walk away with more than just a win-they’ll walk away with a moment etched in program history.
Fenway Bowl Game Info:
- Matchup: Army (6-6) vs. UConn (9-3)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 2:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Fenway Park, Boston
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN App
- Radio: Fox Sports Radio 97.9 FM (Hartford), UConn Sports Network from Learfield
- SiriusXM: Channel 380
- Weather: Mostly sunny, 25°F at kickoff
Bundle up. This one’s going to be cold-and potentially historic.