NO. 21 UCF AT UCONN, THURSDAY, 7 P.M. ESPNU

No. 21 UCF at UConn

When: Thursday, 7 p.m. Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford 2017 Records: UConn 3-9; UCF 13-0. TV: ESPNU Internet: ESPN3 Radio: 97.9 ESPN WICC-600, WINE-940, WXLM-980, WAVZ-1300; WILI-1400, WATR-1490

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

New faces abound: UConn had 22 players who had been with the program for four or five years on the offensive and defensive depth chart heading into the 2017 season, including 14 projected starters. A year later it is a much different story with just two fifth-year seniors (the fewest of any FBS program). While redshirt freshman Zavier Scott will start at running back and guard Christian Haynes will be the first true freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener for UConn during the FBS era, defensive is where youth will most definitely be served. New Haven’s Travis Jones, East Hartford’s Kevon Jones and Miami’s Keyshawn Paul will start at nose tackle, middle linebacker and cornerback. Meanwhile, true freshmen Jonathan Pace and Lwal Uguak are in contention to be the starting defensive ends while redshirt freshman Ian Swenson is listed as the starter at the hybrid safety/linebacker position over defensive game captain Marshe’ Terry. A total of 13 of the 24 players listed on the defensive two-deep chart haven’t played a snap at UConn.

Daunting task: UConn has faced a player who finished in the top 10 in the previous year’s Heisman Trophy balloting four times from 2001-07. However, since West Virginia’s Pat White threw for 121 yards and ran for 109 more in a 2007 win at Rentschler Field, no top 10 Heisman finisher has faced UConn. That will change against UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton, who was eighth in the 2017 balloting. He needs 259 yards to have the most passing yards against UConn than any other player during the FBS era. Former Temple star P.J. Walker currently holds that distinction at 886 yards.

Game within the game: There are so many intriguing matchups especially when looking at UConn’s defense trying to slow down the high-flying UCF offense, but none might be more compelling that UCF all-conference center Jordan Johnson squaring off with New Haven’s Travis Jones. The 350-pound Jones has been a wrecking ball in 1-on-1 blocking drills during camp, but he will be tested by the 320-pound Johnson, who figures to be among the top-rated centers in NFL draft databases either in 2019 or 2020.

Opportunity knocks: A total of 28 players on UCF’s 2017 roster who had remaining eligibility are no longer on the squad, including nine players who saw action in last year’s UConn game. The biggest losses were WR Tra’Quan Smith and CB Mike Hughes who both headed to the NFL as well as starting safety Tre Neal, who is now at Nebraska. Just four defensive players who started against UConn are back. Of course, UConn’s defense will also look much different with safeties Tyler Coyle, Omar Fortt and Terry returning along with linebacker Darrian Beavers.