The Huskies face a familiar foe to open the 2024 season.
KICKOFF: 12 p.m.
TV: FS1
ANNOUNCERS: Connor Onion (play-by-play), Mark Helfrich (color analyst),
RADIO: UConn IMG Radio Network; Varsity Network App; 97.9 Fox Sports, WGCH 1490 AM, WAVZ 1300 AM, WILI 1400 AM and 95.3 FM, WICH 1310 AM and 94.5 FM; Sirius/XM online streaming, XM 382 (UConn), XM 195 (Maryland)
ANNOUNCERS: Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline)
RECORDS: UConn (0-0), Maryland (0-0)
LAST WEEK: This is the first game of the 2024 season for both teams.
POINT SPREAD: Maryland -20.5
OVER/UNDER: 44.5 (odds via DraftKings)
SERIES HISTORY: UConn and Maryland have met three previous times on the gridiron with the Terps holding a 2-1 advantage. The last time they faced each other was in 2013 when twice-removed former Huskies head coach Randy Edsall held the same position at Maryland.
DEPTH CHART: UConn; Maryland no longer releases depth charts
PREGAME PRESS CONFERENCE(S): UConn head coach Jim Mora; Maryland head coach Michael Locksley
WEATHER FORECAST: College Park, MD
Fun With Numbers
2: UConn is 2-5 against teams competing in the Big 10.
3: This is the third time in four years that UConn has opened up the season on the road.
4: The Huskies are in their fourth season as an independent since leaving the AAC. This is also the fourth-ever meeting between UConn and Maryland.
8: Maryland has won eight games in each of the last two seasons.
16: The Terps had 16 All-Big Ten selections last year, including returning stars RB Roman Hemby, WRs Tai Felton and Kaden Prather, and LB Ruben Hyppolite II.
27: UConn brought in 27 experienced transfer recruits this offseason, including expected starters at QB, WR, DL, LB, and DB.
6: Six former Huskies are on NFL 53-man rosters to start this season:
- Travis Jones, Baltimore Ravens
- Ryan Van Demark, Buffalo Bills
- Foley Fatukasi, Houston Texans
- Matt Peart, Denver Broncos
- Christian Haynes, Seattle Seahawks
- Eric Watt, New York Jets
2: Two former Huskies are also in the NFL. Tim Boyle is on the practice squad with the Miami Dolphins and Tyler Davis is on the injured list for the Green Bay Packers.
What to Watch For
The Evers Era Begins
For the third season in a row, UConn will have a new starting quarterback. This year, the new starter arrives with some hype and anticipation for what can be. Nick Evers came to UConn with the strongest pedigree of any signal caller in Storrs in over a decade. His arm strength and playmaking ability gave him a leg up in the competition this offseason with last year’s starter Joe Fagnano. He can hit the deep ball but is also a serious threat in the RPO game.
UConn has also completely revamped its WR room, giving Evers more targets to work with in addition to established RBs Victor Rosa and Cam Edwards along with transfer Durrell Robinson.
In last year’s season opener against NC State, UConn managed to score two touchdowns: one on the first drive of the game and another off a big play. If the Huskies can surpass that total on Saturday it will be a good sign for offensive improvement in 2024. They were ranked 109th in Offensive Success Rate in 2023.
Prevent Big Plays
A few big plays allowed led to disappointing losses against FIU and Utah State, both at home. UConn was 106th in Yards Per Play Allowed in 2023 and 114th in plays over 50 yards allowed. With one more year of development for the front seven, which includes returning starters Jelani Stafford, Pryce Yates, and Dal’Mont Gourdine, and an infusion of talent via the portal, including Julien Simon, Jayden McDonald, and Aaron Key at linebacker and Jack Barton and Jayden Simon on the defensive line, this unit should improve. Maryland’s offensive shouldn’t be too frightening. Even if UConn has a talent disadvantage when the Terps have the ball, the Huskies should make some stops and not get overwhelmed.
Maryland will also have a new starter under center. After the impressive reign of Tualia Tagovailoa, the Terps have not named a new starter, though Billy Edwards Jr. is expected to be the one. He started in their bowl game last year, a 31-13 win over Auburn, where ran for 50 yards and a touchdown and added a passing TD as well.
O-line Success
A strength of the team over the last two seasons, UConn’s offensive line has had to deal with some major departures.
This offseason, longtime starting guards Christian Haynes and Noel Ofori-Nyadu moved on to their next stops (Haynes is on the Seattle Seahawks and Ofori-Nyadu is actually back with the team as an analyst), and center Yakiri Walker transferred to Colorado. UConn is looking at three new starters in the interior.
Even though Maryland’s defense is expected to be solid, returning most key contributors, UConn should be able to get some push on the line and move the ball. It doesn’t need to be a standout performance, but we should see something.