University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
USF
Huskies Take on USF for Homecoming
10/20/2023 11:41:00 AM | Football
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: UConn Sports Network from Learfield - ESPN 97.9  Affiliates - WAVZ 1300 AM (New Haven), WGCH 1490 AM (Greenwich), WILI 1400 AM/95.3FM, (Willimantic); WICH 1310 AM/94.5 FM (Norwich) Online: The Varsity Network App
Quick Hits...
The UConn Huskies return home to Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field after their first win of 2023 and the bye week to play host to the USF Bulls on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm on CBS Sports Network.
Saturday's match-up marks the 18th meeting between UConn and South Florida and first since the Huskies transition to an independent in 2021. The Bulls hold a 12-5 edge all-time and have won eight-straight. Sixteen of the previous meetings took place when UConn and USF were both members of the BIG EAST and American Athletic Conference from 2005 through 2019.
The Huskies went into their bye week off their first win of the season, ending an 0-5 start with a 38-31 win at Rice University. UConn fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter but scored 28 unanswered points into the third to take a lead they would never relinquish. Senior linebacker Jackson Mitchell had a fumble return for a 50-yard touchdown and r-junior Jelani Stafford scored twice from the one-yard line for the Huskies who scored their most points (38) since a 2019 win at UMass, 56-35.
UConn r-junior quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson threw for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns to pace the offense. Roberson connected with sophomore tight end Justin Joly for seven catches and 96 yards, both career-highs, and found him on a 59-yard fourth quarter touchdown that helped seal the win. Â
UConn r-senior Christian Haynes was named to the Associated Press Mid-season All-American team on Wednesday. Haynes was named to the second team offense. Since the 2019 season he has started 43 straight games at guard and helps anchor an offensive line that ranks 22nd in the nation this season in sacks allowed, giving up just eight in six games (1.33 per game).
Last Meeting vs. USF
Oct. 5, 2019 - USF 48 - UConn 22Â - Pratt & Whitney Stadium
USF running back Jordan Cronkrite racked up 148 of the Bulls' season-high 313 rushing yards on the way to a 48-22 AAC victory at UConn. USF generated a season-high total of 503 yards of offense and led from start to finish in its eighth straight victory over the Huskies, dating back to 2012. USF r-freshman quarterback Jordan McCloud completed 11 of 12 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns on top of rushing for 62 yards and another score from 26 yards out. UConn back Kevin Mensah gained 70 hard-earned yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns against the Bulls, becoming the ninth player in UConn history to rush for more than 2,000 career yards. Quarterback Mike Beaudry threw for 209 yards, including his first TD pass of the season – caught by r-freshman Elijah Jeffreys, his first TD catch. UConn got interceptions by Abiola Olaniyan and Diamond Harrell in the loss.
Scouting the Bulls...
The USF Bulls come in looking to send a two-game losing streak after falling to AAC opponents UAB, 56-35, and FAU, 56-14. The USF offense is averaging 150.0 yards per game, fourth in the AAC and 42nd nationally. R-freshman quarterback Byrum Brown leads the conference with 512 yards on the ground this year, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and scoring seven times. Through the air, Brown has completed 59.7% (136-228) of his passes for 1,662 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has been responsible for 116 points in the Bulls offense this season, ranked 10th nationally. He averages 309.7 yards of total offense per game, to lead the league and rank 12th in the NCAA. On defense, senior defensive back Daquan Evans has 10.0 tackles for a loss and 3.0 sacks, both team leading stats. Â
