UConn football home opener vs. Central Connecticut State: Time, TV info, what to watch for
While the UConn football team wasn’t happy with the result of its season-opening loss to Utah State, it did accomplish one goal in giving fans some signs of something they might be able to take pride in.
In the form of monster plays from running back Nate Carter (20 carries, 190 yards) and the defense, led by the relentless pursuit of linebackers Jackson Mitchell and Ian Swenson, the Huskies were within four points of the lead in the fourth quarter.
Fans seeking an end-to-end competitive effort from a team that was a 27 1/2-point underdog, got what they were looking for.
The program, however, suffered more losses in addition to the game. Starting quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson (torn ACL) and top receiver Keelan Marion (broken collar bone) both went down in the first quarter. Those holes, filled by true freshman quarterback Zion Turner (12 of 31, 109 yards, touchdown, two interceptions) and walk-on receiver Jacob Flynn are now less-experienced soft spots on the roster.
UConn has used this week of practice to prepare its new look on offense, to get comfortable in the game plan against FCS-neighbor Central Connecticut in a home-opener that will give fans their first chance to watch Jim Mora’s “Husky Revolution” in action at Rentschler Field.
Here’s what you need to know:
Site: Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford.
Time: 12 p.m.
Weather: Sunny, 76 degrees
TV: CW20 and FOX61+ – Joe D’Ambrosio, John Fanta, Randy Brochu
Radio: ESPN 97.9 FM – Mike Crispino, Wayne Norman, Adam Giardino
Tickets: Available on uconnhuskies.com from $7 to $70
2021 results: UConn: 1-11, CCSU: 4-7
Series: UConn leads 3-0
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 1995 – UConn 54, CCSU 9.
Five questions for UConn:
1. How prepared will Zion Turner be for his first collegiate start?
It would be unfair to judge Turner completely off his performance in the team’s season-opener. On the bench to start his college career, Turner wasn’t expecting to lose Roberson just 10 plays in. With that came the freshman jitters. His first pass an interception, second a touchdown, Turner made his share of rookie mistakes. Now in his first week of college classes, the three-time state champion while at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and decorated true freshman has had the game plan adjusted to fit his skill set. Prepared, playing at home against a CCSU defense that doesn’t compare to Utah State, Turner said he is comfortable and confident heading into his first start.
2. Are Nate Carter and the offensive line that good?
Carter proved himself a force in the season opener. With the Aggies guessing, massive holes were opened by the improved Husky offensive line that allowed Carter to get out into the open on several occasions, breaking tackles along the way. A costly second quarter fumble was a dark cloud over the performance, however, as it rejuvenated the Utah State crowd and gave the Aggies momentum that led to 24 consecutive points. Ball security and turnovers have been harped on consistently in the practices since. The offensive line came into the game with high expectations that were met. The Huskies didn’t allow a sack for the first time in 16 games dating back to 2019. With Turner under center the line will need to pull together a similar strong performance to give the freshman time.
3. Will Jackson Mitchell and the linebackers keep it up?
Mitchell proved why he can be one of the best linebackers in the country with his 16 tackles, one sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery against Utah State. The difference now is that he is surrounded by an influx of talent. The linebacker group itself, which was also highlighted by Swenson’s 12-tackle performance, is one of the strongest on the Huskies’ roster. Expect Mitchell, Swenson and University of Kentucky transfer Marquez Bembry to put on a show Saturday.
4. How does the pass defense improve from last week?
It’s safe to say that Central Connecticut’s passing offense won’t be nearly as strong as what Logan Bonner and the Aggies put on the field last week. Bonner, who set five Utah State program records in 2021 with 3,628 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes, completed 20 of his 29 passes against UConn for 281 yards and three touchdowns. Playing at home should help the Husky defense maintain energy from start to finish, something it struggled with to start the season.
5. How weak is the receiver position without Cam Ross, Keelan Marion?
Losing two top receivers would be tough for any offense. Without Cam Ross (broken foot) and Marion, it is next man up for UConn. To start, it’ll be Flynn. A quick, sure-handed receiver, Flynn fills Marion’s hole on the depth chart. A walk-on, the Southington High alum impressed coaches enough to earn a scholarship during preseason camp. Aaron Turner had a good week of practice and will also start alongside Kevens Clercius. It won’t be long, however, before more help arrives as several UConn receivers are nearing the point of return from injury. Mora said Nigel Fitzgerald, a 6-foot-3 grad transfer from Old Dominion who has been dealing with a hamstring issue, should be available Saturday.
CCSU Two-Deep:
OFFENSE
QB: 4 Romelo Williams (Jr., 6-1, 185)
17 Shon Mitchell (Gr., 6-0, 185)
RB: 22 Nasir Smith (Sr., 5-10, 220)
28 Malik Thomas (So., 6-1, 190)
TE: 45 Jadd Dolegala (Jr., 6-1, 220)
89 Peter Cleary (R-Fr., 6-4, 220)
WR: 8 Erik Surratt (So., 6-2, 185)
5 Everett Wormley (Gr., 6-0, 197)
WR: 3 Kyren Petteway (Jr., 5-9, 155)
2 JaQuan DuFour (So., 6-1, 170)
WR: 1 Isiah Williams (So., 5-11, 170)
81 Michael Plaskon (R-Fr., 5-10, 185)
LT: 67 Reis Spicer (Gr., 6-5, 300)
76 Rahtrell Perry (Fr., 6-6, 332)
LG: 66 Neil Tompkins (Gr., 6-5, 300)
72 Alec Ambrosia (R-Fr., 6-1, 290)
C: 64 Craig Wood (Gr., 6-3, 305)
72 Alec Ambrosia (R-Fr., 6-1, 290)
RG: 77 Mason Schloop (So., 6-4, 290)
71 Josh Pelletier (R-Fr., 6-2, 250)
RT: 65 Jordin Martell (So., 6-2, 290)
76 Rahtrell Perry (Fr., 6-6, 332)
DEFENSE
DE: 9 Noah Washington (Jr., 6-4, 250)
16 Ethan Haberman (So., 5-10, 320)
NG: 96 Jermaine Williams (So., 5-10, 320)
53 Albert Guwoe (R-Fr., 6-0, 260)
DT: 91 Dan Toatley (Gr., 6-2, 210)
15 Shayne Manson (Sr., 6-3, 210)
R: 6 Marlon Brown (Jr., 6-1, 190)
14 Artest Banks (Sr., 6-0, 210)
M: 5 Harold Miles (So., 6-0, 225)
57 Trinidad Gonzalez (R-Fr., 6-0, 220)
W: 4 Luquay Washington (Jr., 6-1, 215)
25 Jayden Anderson (So., 6-2, 200)
B: 0 Chizi Umunakwe (Sr., 6-1, 225)
54 Alex Pagliarini (R-Fr., 6-0, 220)
FS: 10 Anthony Wynn (Jr., 6-0, 205)
7 Jahlil Brown (Sr., 6-0, 190)
SS: 3 J. Cabral-Martin (Fr., 5-10, 190)
1 Alonzo Mitchell (So., 5-11, 170)
CB: 13 Isaiah Green (Jr., 6-1, 185)
18 Gavin Bryson (Fr., 5-10, 170)
CB: 19 Tyler Boatwright (Jr., 6-1, 170)
7 Jahlil Brown (Sr., 6-0, 190)
SPECIALISTS
K: 50 Cristiano Rosa (Fr., 6-0, 190)
42 Tyler Logan (R-Fr., 6-0, 190)
KO: 50 Cristiano Rosa (Fr., 6-0, 190)
42 Tyler Logan (R-Fr., 6-0, 190)
P: 35 Aidan Clark (So., 6-3, 190)
50 Cristiano Rosa (Fr., 6-0, 190)
H: 35 Aidan Clark (So., 6-3, 190)
LS: 31 Cole Escoto (So., 5-11, 200)
KR: 3 Kyren Petteway (Jr., 5-9, 155)
19 Tyler Boatwright (Jr., 6-1, 170)
PR: 3 Kyren Petteway (Jr., 5-9, 155)
84 Jared Mallozzi (Jr., 6-1, 180)
