University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Boston College
Huskies Battle BC on Homecoming
10/28/2022 11:02:00 AM | Football
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: UConn Sports Network from Learfield - ESPN 97.9
Game Notes: UConn Boston College
STORRS, Conn. – For the first time since October 1st, the UConn football team will return to the friendly confine of Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on Saturday afternoon for a "Homecoming" battle with the Boston College Eagles.
The Huskies and Eagles meet on the gridiron for the first time since the 2017 season and the first time on UConn's home turf since the 2003 season. UConn is looking for their first-ever win over the Eagles in a series that dates all the back to 1908 (0-12-2).
"Our guys are excited to play," stated head coach Jim Mora. "We've never beaten BC. It's a rivalry for us and it's homecoming. It will be nice to see a ton of people out at The Rent and we are looking forward to a great environment on Saturday.
The Huskies are coming off their bye week but last time out saw a 21-10 lead at Ball State erased on the way to a 25-21 loss to the Cardinals. The Huskies were held scoreless in the second half as Ball State's offense was fueled by running back Carson Steele who had 133 of his 179 yards in the third and fourth quarters to lead the comeback. Steele scored his third touchdown of the day with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals their first lead on the way to ending UConn's two-game win streak.
Despite injuries to the top-three running backs on the depth chart over the season, the Huskies have been able to rely upon an effective rushing attack. UConn had 194 yards on the ground at Ball State led by fullback Robert Burns who finished with 71 yards rushing on 11 carries, both new career-highs, while scoring his first career touchdown. Freshman back Victor Rosa had 72 yards on a career-high 17 carries.Â
Rosa leads the team with four touchdowns and has carried the ball a team-high 70 times this season. As a team, the Huskies come into Saturday's match-up 39th in the nation averaging 186.9 yards rushing per game.
The UConn offense scored touchdowns on both of their trips into the red zone at Ball State, running their streak to 13-straight trips inside the 20 over the last four games coming away with points. The Huskies are ranked 23rd nationally in redzone offense, converting at .905 percent.
And to compliment the running game, the Huskies look to be getting one of their prime receiving threats in the passing game back this weekend as sophomore wideout Keelan Marion returns from injury. Marion went down in game one at Utah State, injuring his collar bone after catching a first quarter touchdown against the Aggies. As a freshman, Marion led the team in receiving yards with 474 on 28 catches, finding the endzone five times during the season.
On the defensive side, junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell continues to lead the way and is one of the top tacklers nationwide. He comes into the weekend second in the country in total tackles with 88 stops this season and is ranked fourth in tackles per game at 11.0. He has posted double digit tackles in four of the eight games and is coming off a 13-tackle game at Ball State last time out, the 12th time in his career he has recorded double digit tackles in a game.
Following Saturday's match-up with BC, the Huskies will play the next two at home as well. The Huskies will have a shorter week as they welcome rival UMass to East Hartford on Friday, November 4th for a 7 pm match-up and then Liberty comes to town on Saturday, November 12th for a 12 noon kick-off, all on the CBS Sports Network.
