UConn at Syracuse

When: Saturday, 4 p.m. Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y. Records: UConn 1-2; Syracuse 3-0 TV: ESPNews Internet: ESPN3

Radio: 97.9 ESPN, WINE-940, WXLM-980, WAVZ-1300; WILI-1400 (simulcast on 95.3 FM), WATR-1490

THINGS TO WATCH

1. Second time not the charm: UConn did not allow a third-down conversion in Saturday’s win against URI, the first time a Huskies’ defense can make that claim since a 2008 win over Cincinnati. However, the accomplishment is lessened by the fact that UConn only faced four third-down plays. One of many issues facing UConn’s struggling defense is the catastrophic results on second downs. UConn is giving up 240 yards per game just on second down and 10.6 yards per play on second down. The Huskies have only faced eight third-down plays per game, the lowest mark among 130 FBS teams this season.

2. Hitting the road: When UConn played its first road game, the Huskies opened three of their first four possessions

3. Young, younger, youngest: UConn joins Auburn as the only FBS team with true freshmen having an interception, fumble recovery and touchdown reception in the same game in 2018. If injuries keep cornerback Tahj Herring-Wilson, safety Tyler Coyle and safety/linebacker Marshe’ Terry out of the game, the Huskies could field its youngest defensive lineup yet. Defensive coordinator Bill Crocker said UConn has 13 freshmen among the 22 players on the defensive two-deep chart. The official two-deep chart lists 11 freshmen on defense, so read into that what you wish in terms of the status of the injured veterans. Syracuse could start as many as 17 players making at least their 10th career start, while there’s a chance that senior quarterback Eric Dungey and Syracuse senior defensive lineman Chris Slayton will have more career starts than UConn’ entire starting defensive lineup.