The UConn football team (6-3) will host the Duke Blue Devils (5-3) on Saturday, Nov. 8, in hopes of keeping their four-game home streak alive.
Even though the Blue Devils own a 2-2 record over the Huskies, times have changed and the tides could turn on Saturday. The 2023 stretch was the first time the two programs faced off since 2007, when Duke blew out Connecticut 41-7 at Rentschler Field.
Fast forward a year later, UConn traveled to North Carolina and nearly secured a second-half comeback. With just under six minutes remaining before halftime, the Huskies saw their first endzone appearance of the day, courtesy of the defense.
Connecticut’s former defensive lineman, Langston Hardy, snagged the ball for a 64-yard house call. After the 2024 campaign, Hardy transferred to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
In the third quarter, the squad crossed the goal line two more times to take a 21-17 lead but could not finish the job. With 14 minutes left in the contest, Duke punched in nine more points and denied the Huskies from scoring for the rest of the match.
At the time, quarterback Nick Evers took the snaps and threw 135 yards for a touchdown, an interception and a sack. In the backfield, running back Cam Edwards scrambled all over the field. The junior gained 111 yards and crossed the plane once.
In the wideout room, only one player registered 30-plus receiving yards, which was the star weapon, Skyler Bell, who totaled seven catches for 58 yards. In the third quarter, tight end Alex Honig notched the team’s lone passing touchdown.
With gunslinger Joe Fagnano in the pocket this year, turnovers are a thing of the past, as he has thrown 2,529 yards for 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Currently, the veteran ranks No. 39 with a QBR rating slightly under 70.5 and ranks No. 6 in total yards. Against the UAB Blazers, the senior reached 10,000 career passing yards and looks to add more on Saturday.
However, the Blue Devils’ shot-caller Darian Mensah has performed just as impeccably. In the squad’s 46-45 win over the Clemson Tigers a week ago, the sophomore completed 27 of 36 (75%) passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the California native has thrown for 2,572 yards for 21 endzone appearances and two picks. In ESPN’s rankings, Mensah lands at No. 19 with a QBR rating of 77.7 and places No. 5 in total yards.
On Saturday, the difference maker could come down to pressure, and UConn knows how to make quarterbacks uncomfortable all too well. Within nine games played, Connecticut ties with the Oklahoma Sooners and the Buffalo Bulls for No. 2 in the country with 33 total sacks.
In the air, the Blue Devils are the No. 4 passing offense with 324.3 yards per clash. One player to watch deep for is Duke receiver Que’sean Brown. Against Clemson, the redshirt freshman posted 80 yards and crossed the goal line twice.
Fans can tune into the matchup on CBS Sports Network, with the kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.