UCF’s 500th game comes against punching bag UConn
UCF takes the field for the 500th game in the program’s football history when the UConn Huskies come to Orlando. The Knights are looking to get back on track having lost last week on the road at SMU.
Where: Bounce House Stadium When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: FM 96.9/AM 740 The Game Weather: 71 degrees, 19% rain chance
Favorite: Knights by 30.5
Online: orlandosentinel.com/ knights; @osknights on Twitter Quick slant: UCF leads the all-time series 5-2 over UConn but all 7 games dating to 2013 have been conference matchups. The Huskies left the AAC for the Big East and now play football as an FBS independent.
Coaches: Gus Malzahn, first season, 6-4 (83-42 overall); Lou Spanos (interim), first season, 1-7 overall.
About UCF (6-4, 4-3 AAC): The Knights fell 55-28 to SMU in their final road game of the regular season and look to close out on a high note with two games at the Bounce House. Malzahn shared that quarterback Dillon Gabriel returned to practice after fracturing the collarbone in his left throwing arm at Louisville on Sept. 17. While Gabriel is practicing, there’s a strong chance true freshman Mikey Keene will make his eighth straight start. Keene hasn’t thrown an interception in two games, keeping his season total at 6 to go along with 13 touchdowns and over 1,200 passing yards. It’s unclear if starting running back Isaiah Bowser, who didn’t play last week due to an ankle injury, will be available. Sophomore Johnny Richardson has been the secondary back but Auburn transfer running back Mark-Antony Richards has made the most of his playing time and could see the field more against the Huskies.
About UConn (1-9): The Huskies won their first game since 2019, defeating Yale 21—15 on Oct. 16. That win came under Spanos who has been serving as UConn’s interim head coach since Randy Edsall resigned Sept. 7. UConn only has won 6 games since 2017 with Edsall as coach. Last week, the Huskies hired former UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr., who will serve as an assistant coach through the end of the season. That’ll allow him to carry out various duties, including recruiting responsibilities, through Nov. 27, one day before the start of his tenure. UConn is averaging 15.3 points which ranks 126th nationwide. Defensively, the Huskies have allowed nearly 37 points a game, ranking 121st. 3 things to watch
1. Incorporating Jaylon Robinson: He made his return to the field at SMU after missing 6 straight due to a knee injury in the same game Gabriel went down. Robinson led the team with 50 yards against the Mustangs but only caught 2 passes. As he continues to get his feet back under him following 8 weeks off, Robinson’s usage will be one to watch.
2. UConn special teams: Although the Huskies struggle on offense and defense, freshman running back Brian Brewton has provided a spark on special teams returning 2 kicks for touchdowns, tied for second in the country. Brewton took one back 99 yards to open UConn’s game vs. Clemson last week. UCF has yet to give up a kickoff touchdown but coverage must be sharp.
3. Civil ConFLiCT Trophy: The joke of a trophy for a rivalry series that appeared out of thin air hasn’t been seen publicly since 2016 when UCF beat UConn 24-16. Created by former UConn coach Bob Diaco, who was fired after that season, the Knights have wanted nothing to do with the trophy or rivalry but the program certainly loves making fun of it. Perhaps the trophy suddenly reappears in what could be the last meeting between the two programs.