AROUND NEW ENGLAND

UConn coach Randy Edsall begins his 6th season in Storrs leading a squad that did not play a down in 2020 and plays a tough independent schedule. Incumbent Jack Zergiotis, who passed for 1,782 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019, will battle North Carolina State transfer Micah Leon for the starting QB job.

New Hampshire safety Evan Horn has been named an FCS preseason All-American and All-CAA first team. Horn has 174 career tackles with 11 interceptions and 7.0 sacks.

Returning tailback Kevin Brown and Purdue transfer Tirek Murphy give Rhode Island the strongest ground game in the CAA. Brown rushed for 1,794 yards on 311 carries with 18 touchdowns and was named CAA Rookie of the Year.

Maine wide receiver Andre Miller was named the CAA preseason all-conference team.