University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
UMass
UConn Set for 76th Meeting With UMass
11/3/2022 1:19:00 PM | Football
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: UConn Sports Network from Learfield - ESPN 97.9
STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut and University of Massachusetts are set to face-off for the 76th time on Friday night from Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Friday's game will be "Huskies and Heroes" game honoring member of the military and their families.
The Huskies and Minutemen renewed their New England rivalry in 2018 and announced this week an agreement to continue their annual meeting on the gridiron through the 2027 season. UConn and UMass will face-off on November 25, 2023 at a to be announced neutral site. UConn will host UMass in 2025 and 2026 and travel to Amherst in 2024 and 2027.
UMass posted a 27-13 win in last year's match-up at McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst while the two schools have split the four games since the 2012 season. The Minutemen cross the state line into Connecticut on Friday on five-game losing skid and coming off a 23-13 loss to New Mexico State last weekend to fall to 1-7.Â
The Huskies are coming off the program's first-ever win over Boston College, ending a 0-12-2 drought against the Eagles in a series that dates back to 1908. The 13-3 win also ended an eight-game losing skid against teams from the ACC that dated back to the 2016 season (vs. Virginia - W, 13-10). It was also the first win over a Power Five school since that season as well.
The Huskies now have four wins on the season, their most wins since the 2015 season (6-7). UConn is also 3-1 at home, their most wins at home since the 2016 season.
On Tuesday, junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell was announced as a Butkus Award semifinalists for the 2022 season. Mitchell is one of 15 collegiate semifinalists coming from 15 different schools representing six conferences (ACC, American Athletic, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC) and the FBS independents. The winner of the award will be named on or before Dec. 7 after finalists are named on Nov. 21 by the award committee.Â
Mitchell is the Huskies top-tackler and is second in the country in total tackles with 100 stops this season. He is ranked fourth in tackles per game at 11.1. He has posted double digit tackles in five of the nine games and is coming off a 12-tackle game against Boston College, the 13th time in his career he has recorded double digit tackles in a game.
The Husky defense gave up just three points in the win over BC, the fewest points allowed in a win or a loss since a 7-3 victory at Tulane in the 2015 season. The last time the held a team under 10-points was the 2017 season, a 20-9 win at home over Cincinnati. It was also the fewest points allowed to a power five school in program history.
On offense, the Huskies continue to run the ball well with a rushing attack that is ranked 46th in the NCAA averaging 178.0 yards per game. Sophomore Devontae Houston has 350 yards on 52 carries and posted back-to-back 100-yard games before being forced out of the last two games with an injury. Houston is expected to return this week and is averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
Freshman tight end Justin Joly has provided another weapon for fellow freshman, quarterback Zion Turner in the passing game. Joly caught one pass for a 62-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game against BC, the longest scoring play of the season. Joly has hauled in 13 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns, all coming over the last five games.
Following Friday's game with UMass the Huskies will host Liberty next Saturday, November 12 and travel to Army for the regular season finale on November 19.
