Sept. 3 — STORRS — UConn returned to practice Tuesday with the aftertaste of a disappointing season-opening loss still fresh.
“It was a tough loss to overcome,” coach Jim Mora said of the 50-7 defeat to Maryland on Saturday in College Park. “Obviously, Maryland is a very good football team, but we thought we would have a better performance as a program.”
It’s an all-too-familiar feeling for the Huskies, who have had their share of rough starts of late. program history.
Last year, they lost their first five games to open the season and finished with an overall record of 3-9.
Prior to that, they started the 2022 season with a 1-4 record before rebounding to win six games overall and earn a bowl berth.
The 2024 Huskies are hoping this season will follow the second of those two scenarios.
Tuesday’s training was the first step in getting the program back in a positive direction.
“It was good to get back on the field and get the bad taste of Saturday’s game off our minds and focus on our next opponent,” Mora said. “I think we had a good practice. We were able to get outside, which helped everybody, I think. … Just getting back on the field today, it takes all that away.”
UConn is focused on preparing for its home opener against Merrimack (0-1), which is in its first season as an independent team in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The game kicks off at noon Saturday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
The Huskies could be without starting quarterback Nick Evers, a transfer from Wisconsin who was forced to leave Saturday’s game after being hit hard in the third quarter. His playing status will be determined by the medical staff.
“His helmet came off and his head hit the ground,” Mora said of the action. “It shook him up a little bit. He’s recovering very well. He was on the field today but he didn’t participate in much. … His spirits are excellent.”
“We’ll see where he is on Saturday. It will be a decision that the doctors will make.”
If Evers, who completed 6 of 17 passes for 73 yards and threw an interception in his UConn debut, can’t play, redshirt senior Joe Fagnano will replace him. Fagnano led the Huskies on their only scoring drive against Maryland, connecting with T.J. Sheffield on a 27-yard touchdown pass. He finished 8 of 16 for 149 yards and threw an interception.
The Huskies will permanently be without senior defensive back Malik Dixon-Williams (broken hand), who underwent surgery, and possibly junior defensive back Pryce Yates (concussion). Doctors will determine when Yates is ready to play again.
Senior defender Rante Jones will sit out the first half Saturday after being ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter against Maryland.
Mora expects his team to perform better in Game 2, especially on defense. The Huskies have given up 629 yards of total offense.
UConn struggled to adjust to Maryland’s speed. Poor tackling was also a problem.
“It wasn’t good enough, it was below our standards,” senior linebacker Jayden McDonald said. “Coach preached effort, running the ball, tackling all camp. I just thought Maryland was more physical than us and paid more attention to detail.
“As leaders of this team and the defense, it starts with me, I have to be a leader on defense and get guys to buy in and play harder. I don’t think we’ve done that as well. But that will be taken care of quickly this week.”
On the positive side, several transfers have had an impact.
Freshman running back Durell Robinson (Charlotte) led the Huskies with 34 yards rushing and junior receiver Skyler Bell (Wisconsin) had a team-best five receptions for a career-high 141 yards. McDonald (Troy) finished with six tackles and senior linebacker Amir Renwick (Coffeyville Community College in Kansas) led the way with eight tackles.
Mora was also pleased with the play of the offensive line.
“Maryland is a very good football team, but that doesn’t excuse us at all for getting beat 50-7,” Mora said. “But there were some good things, but not enough and not consistently.”
The Huskies remain optimistic despite this lopsided defeat.
They are confident that they are better than the final score indicated on Saturday.
“We all wish the result was a little bit different, but that’s the way it is,” Robinson said. “We’re a little disappointed now because the underdogs don’t really know how much talent we have in that dressing room, but we do. So we’re looking forward to showing everyone what we’re really capable of.”
