UCONN FOOTBALL GAMEDAY

Rhode Island at UConn

When: Saturday, noon Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford Records: Rhode Island 2-0; UConn 0-2 TV: SNY Internet: ESPN3 Radio: 97.9 ESPN, WINE-940, WXLM-980, WAVZ-1300; WILI-1400, WATR-1490

THINGS TO WATCH

1. All hands on deck: Constantly changing defensive lineups is hardly a recipe for success. UConn started 18 different players on defense in the first two games of the season, the most of any FBS team this year. UConn, still searching for the right combination after having the misfortune of playing offensive juggernauts UCF and Boise State in their first two games, ranks last among 130 FBS programs in total defense, surrendering a staggering 753 yards per game and 9.93 yards per play. With linebacker Eddie Hahn and cornerback Jeremy Lucien expected to start and Oneil Robinson likely to get the call if a concussion keeps starting safety Omar Fortt out of the lineup, it would give the Huskies 21 different defensive starters through three games (including 15 who never started a game at UConn before this season). That would top the program’s FBS record of 20 set last season.

2. Path of least resistance: There have been many numbers thrown around documenting UConn’s frightening defensive performance. Here’s another one — heading into this week’s slate of games, UConn joins Arizona and Iowa State as the only teams without an interception or a sack. UConn had eight games with no turnovers forced and no sacks from 2002-2017 and posted a 1-7 record. It happened in consecutive games on three occasions, but the Huskies have never done it for three games in a row. 3. Familiar foes: Although UConn and URI haven’t met since 2009, the Huskies’ 94 games and 51 victories against Rhode Island are the most against any opponent. Rhode Island is coached by former Sacred Heart University head coach Jim Fleming, while Hartford’s D.J. Stewart, Bloomfield’s Kevin Lawrence and East Haven’s Brandon Ginnetti are projected starters and among the 10 state natives on the URI roster.

— Jim Fuller