It was an emotional roller coaster watching UConn football play Saturday’s season opener. What looked like a potential upset at Utah State quickly spiraled into a 31-20 defeat.
While there’s disappointment with another 0-1 start for the Huskies, there’s room for optimism.
Under first-year head coach Jim Mora Jr., UConn hit the Aggies early with a punch in the mouth.
First, the defense too the field and, five plays later, were back on the sideline after forcing Utah State to punt. From there, the offense, led by running back Nathan Carter went 79 yards on nine plays for the first points of the game. Carter ran four times for 65 yards, including a 52-yarder he broke which put the Aggies on their heels early. Starting quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
The defense answered the bell again for UConn when linebacker Jackson Mitchell recovered a fumble by Utah State running back Pailate Makakona.
However, UConn’s first bout with adversity this season hit them when Roberson left the game with a knee injury. True freshman Zion Turner stepped in and, five plays later, threw an interception.
The defense, again, stepped up for the Huskies – forcing Utah State to punt. But this time, the offense made sure to put points on the scoreboard. Carter’s 44-yard run helped set the tone for a 13-yard touchdown pass from Turner to wide receiver Keelan Marion, with 1:38 left in the first quarter.
With a 14-0 lead, UConn appeared primed to pull off a stunner in the kickoff to the college football season. Last season, Utah State finished with an 11-3 record, good enough to win the Mountain West Conference Championship. Could it be they were about to lose to a team which only won one game last season?
Well, not so fast.
The phrase “learn to crawl before you walk” applies with the Huskies. As the rest of this game would show, there’s still plenty of work ahead for this team.
A fumble by Carter eventually led to 24 consecutive points by Utah State in the second quarter. UConn’s offense stalled with four straight drives ending with a punt.
Give the Huskies credit, however, for fighting back. With 10:09 left to play in the fourth quarter, UConn pulled to with four, 24-20, before the Aggies managed to pull away for the victory.
“We hate to lose. We didn’t come here to lose,” Mora said after the game, “So we don’t feel good about that and there’s a real disappointment in that locker room. These young men have been through a lot. They made a tremendous commitment to what we’re trying to do here. Every single one of them – they’re very great group of young men. They have a lot of heart. And it means the world to them to go out there and perform and win and so they’re disappointed, but we’re not discouraged.”
With everything UConn went through, a 1-11 record and the in-season resignation of their head coach, I’m not sure this game plays out the way it did on Saturday if it were played last season.
The 14-0 early lead indicates there’s legit talent on this team. Mora Jr. brings credibility to the head coaching position.
Additionally, Jackson Mitchell is a stud on defense for this team. He was all over the field on Saturday, leading the way with 16 tackles (seven solo tackles) and one sack.
What to look forward to with the Huskies is watching for how they’ll respond this Saturday in their home opener versus Central Connecticut State.
Moreover, there were key injuries to the roster, specifically on offense.
Ta’Quan Roberson’s knee injury is believed to be a serious one which may sideline him for the season. Keelan Marion, last year’s leading receiver, left with a shoulder injury after his touchdown reception in the second quarter. Marion’s injury also appears serious enough where it could end his season. All eyes now turn to Zion Turner, the 19-year-old true freshman will get to show he’s ready to lead.
