Head coach Jason Candle will lead UConn football against Miami in Oxford, Ohio –– just under five hours from where he grew up.
UConn is coming off a dominant 48-20 performance against Southern Mississippi. The heat was a main concern against the southern program, but the coaching staff and players handled it well, scoring 27 points in the first half alone.
A defensive score in the third quarter continued their momentum after Anas Luqman cashed in on a pick-six.
“Big interception, big touchdown, anytime you can get a defensive score, momentum is everything and when you get one of those, that’s just huge,” Coach Candle said.
UConn’s defense looks to stand strong in another week against an offensive-heavy program.
The (2-1) Huskies now face a (1-2) Miami side that Coach Candle is familiar with, having faced it four times during his tenure at Toledo. The Redhawks are led by freshman quarterback David McComb, who has thrown over 800 yards and scored five touchdowns this season.
“[Chuck Martin]’s got a good staff; he’s got a great culture there, and they’re going to be in the thick of it again in that league,” Candle said.
The Redhawks are coming off a 35-31 defeat to Cincinnati after leading by 21 points going into the half.
The Huskies look to clean up in their next game, particularly in penalties, which have been a recurring issue for the team this season. They have accumulated 27 penalties so far this season for 280 yards.
“We can’t have the penalties and the things that are hurting us and taking yards,” Candle said.
Quarterback Kalieb Osborne leads the team in rushing yards with 152 and four touchdowns, but other players have stepped up, especially in their last game. Cyncir Bowers ran for 84 yards on 11 attempts, including a 42-yard touchdown.
McComb has his own offensive weapons, finding wide receiver Maleek Huggins for 205 yards receiving on the season with a season-high 128 against Cincinnati. Running back Lazaro Rogers also adds to the offensive firepower with 78 yards rushing and one touchdown so far this season.
UConn enters with a clear edge on both sides of the ball. Its offense averages just under 40 points per game, while its defense holds opponents to 22. Miami’s offense puts up 30 points per game, but its defense allows 34, swinging the advantage early in favor of the Huskies.
This Saturday is a chance for UConn football to separate itself from programs and prepare for tougher opponents in the upcoming weeks.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.