The Huskies travel to Lincoln Financial Field this weekend after back-to-back losses have them standing at 2-3 on the season. The narrow overtime defeat against Syracuse last weekend showed fans there is still lots to cheer about, after the team overcame a 20-point deficit. The Huskies’ next opponent, Temple, awaits at an NFL stadium, a first for some of the players.
“This is going to be a really big challenge for us. We’ve got to handle a road trip. We’ve got to go and handle the element of playing in an NFL stadium and having our eyes wide open,” UConn’s Coach Candle said in a press conference.
The 2-3 Temple Owls come into this matchup riding a one-game winning streak, upsetting the previously undefeated South Florida Bulls. One of the Owls’ losses came in overtime to Toledo, Candle’s previous team.
“A very physical football team, a team that I think has played really good football the entire season,” Candle said.
The Huskies hope to fire on all cylinders but are still unsure if wide receiver Javon Brown will appear. Brown went down in the third quarter of the Syracuse game after attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Kalieb Osborne. Brown remained on the ground until he was treated and eventually carted off the field wearing a neck brace. Brown returned to his team on Monday, where they were happy to see him back with his old spirit.
“He’s with us back to normal, protocol and getting back to being healthy,” Candle said.
The Huskies now lean towards receiver Ky Wilson, who just made his return following a torn ACL back in March. Nicknamed ‘Flash,’ Wilson wasted no time in his debut, being UConn’s most targeted receiver; he ended the day with four receptions, combining for 52 yards.
“After I got that first catch, I ain’t feel no type of hurt or anything. I was just like let’s do it. I was ready!” Wilson said.
UConn running back Cyncir Bowers caught fire in the second half against Syracuse, ending with 163 yards. This landed Bowers in the top 10 for rushing leaders of Week 5, according to ESPN College Football Weekly Stats.
A large part of his success came from the offensive line of UConn with its remarkable blocking against the powerful Syracuse side.
“O-line getting better every weekend and [backs], we started slowing our pace down and just starting to hit it even better and keep getting better week in and week out,” running back Trey Cornist said.
Cornist ran alongside Bowers, scoring a touchdown of his own — his second of the season.
The Huskies take on Temple for their only American Conference matchup of the season on Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPNU.