UCONN FOOTBALL GAMEDAY

HOLY CROSS AT UCONN

When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford

2016 records: Holy Cross 4-7 (2-4 Patriot League); UConn 3-9 (1-7 American Athletic Conference)

TV: SNY

Internet: ESPN3

Radio: WTIC-1080, WAVZ1300, WILI-1400, WGCH1490

5 THINGS TO WATCH

1. New kids on the block: While head coach Randy Edsall, the winningest coach in UConn history, is returning to the sideline, there will be quite a few new faces. There are 17 players on the offensive or defensive twodeep chart who have never played at UConn. The 14 true or red shirt freshmen on the depth charts is the most at UConn for a season opener since 2008, topping the 13 in 2009 and 2014. It would not be a surprise to see seven or eight true freshmen play for the Huskies. 2. Getting their kicks: It remains to be seen whether red shirt freshman Brett Graham or true freshman Luke Magliozzi will handle the punting duties for UConn as they look to replace the reliable Justin Wain. However, UConn’s punt returners will be given the green light to make something happen, which was not the case with the previous regime. UConn’s three punt returns during the 2016 season are the fewest for any FBS team. True freshman Jordan Swann is expected to return punts.

3. Climbing the charts: UConn senior running back Arkeel Newsome needs 76 yards to move by Donald Brown into fourth place on the Huskies’ career list for all-purpose yards. If he ends up with 176 yards, he will move by Jordan Todman into third place.

4. On the level: In recent years, facing Football Championship Subdivision programs has been no walk in the park for the Huskies. The 33-18 loss to Towson in 2013 played a significant role in Paul Pasqualoni’s firing. UConn went 3-0 against FCS teams under Bob Diaco, but easily could have lost to Stony Brook (2014) , Villanova (2015) and Maine (2016). Holy Cross is playing its second game against an FBS opponent since 1995. The Crusaders defeated Army 30-21 in 2002.

5. Healthy playmakers: There’s no telling how Holy Cross’ 2016 season would have turned out if quarterback Peter Pujals and running back Gabe Guild were healthy. However, Pujals played in just four games and Guild in only two. They are healthy and will be key cogs in the Holy Cross offense, although the Crusaders did lose three of their top four receivers from the 2016 squad. On defense, senior linebacker Nick McBeath returns after recording 91 solo tackles in 2016.

— Jim Fuller