COLLEGE FOOTBALL CAPSULES
A look at college football in Connecticut this weekend:
HOLY CROSS at UCONN
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Rentschler Field; East Hartford
Records: Holy Cross 0-0 (3-1 in 2020, lost in 1st rd FCS playoffs); UConn 0-1
TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network/ESPN 97.9 FM
Video stream: CBSSports.com/CBS Sports App
Last meeting: UConn 27-20 on Aug. 31, 2017
What you need to know: The Huskies make their long-awaited return to Rentschler Field looking to rebound from a 45-0 loss at Fresno State. UConn has won 14 of its 17 home openers at the Rent, including a 27-20 victory over Holy Cross in 2017. Defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross — one of two FCS programs on UConn’s schedule — opened as a 2.5-point underdog. Sophomore Jack Zergiotis, who completed just 12 of 23 passes for 61 yards against Fresno State, remains the starter at quarterback for UConn. The Huskies gained just 107 yards last Saturday and were shut out for the first time in nearly five years. This is the school’s first home game since a 31-24 loss to East Carolina on Nov. 23, 2019.
BUCKNELL at SACRED HEART
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: Campus Field; Fairfield Records: Bucknell 0-0 (2-2 in 2020); Sacred Heart 0-0 (3-2 in 2020, lost in 1st rd FCS playoffs)
Video stream: necfrontrow.com
Last meeting: Sacred Heart 30-10 on Sept. 7, 2019
What you need to know: Sacred Heart, the Northeast Conference preseason favorite, returns one of the nation’s top playmakers in running back Julius Chestnut. The 6-foot-1 senior was a consensus All-American in the spring, rushing for 855 yards (FCS-high 171 per game) and leading the Pioneers to the FCS playoffs. The reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Year is a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding player in FCS football. Seven other Pioneers made the NEC preseason team: wide receiver Naseim Brantley, offensive linemen JD DiRenzo and Josh Sokol, defensive lineman Kevin Peprah, linebacker Chris Outterbridge, defensive back Randy Brito and punter Noah Gettman.
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT at CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Arute Field; New Britain
Records: SCSU 0-0 (Did not play in 2020); CCSU 0-0 (Did not play in 2020)
Video stream: necfrontrow.com
Last meeting: CCSU 35-21 on Sept. 3, 2011
What you need to know: CCSU, which did not compete in 2020, was picked second in the Northeast Conference preseason poll. The Blue Devils placed three players on the preseason all-conference team, including a pair of in-state products in wide receiver Tyshaun James (Middletown) and offensive lineman J’Von Brown (Norwich). Linebacker Tre Jones was also selected.
COAST GUARD at U. OF NEW ENGLAND
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: UNE Blue Storm Stadium; Biddeford, Maine
Records: Coast Guard 0-0 (0-1 in 2020); UNE 0-0 (Did not play in 2020)
Video stream: cgasports.com
Last meeting: Coast Guard 27-17 on Sept. 7, 2019
What you need to know: CC Grant, who replaced Bill George in March 2020, begins his first full season coaching Coast Guard. Grant was an assistant under George for 21 seasons, in addition to the school’s baseball coach.