How did UConn's Opponents Fare in Week 3?
FAU: Defeated FIU 38-20
In the first iteration of the “Shula Bowl” after FAU moved to the AAC, the Owls took care of business against their rivals. The Owls leaned heavily on their rushing game, with Zuberi Mobley rushing for 134 yards on 20 carries, buoyed by a 72 yard TD run. As a team, they rushed 52 times for 259 yards, a 5.0 yards per carry average. QB Cam Fancher threw for 161 yards on 14-26 passing, to go along with 64 yards rushing on 14 carries. FIU turned the ball over five times, leading to a lopsided time of possession (FAU 38 minutes to FIU’s 22). FAU was penalized 11 times for 82 yards and was 4-16 on 3rd downs, so the task for the Huskies seems to be play clean football, and protect the ball.
Next up: at UConn 7:00 CBSSN
Buffalo: Defeated UMass 34-3
The Minutemen offense struggled immensely against the Bulls, and Buffalo pulled away in the second half for a big win over a future MAC foe. Buffalo outgained UMass 321-193, and Taisun Phommachanh threw for just 121 yards on 14-29 passing. He threw a 100+ yard pick six on an inexplicable decision in the red zone, where a score would’ve gotten the lead down to 20-10, but instead was increased to 27-3, putting the game away. UMass’ run game couldn’t get going, rushing for 72 yards on 37 carries, an average yards per carry of 1.9. Meanwhile, Buffalo rushed for 136 yards on 38 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, and QB CJ Ogbanna threw for 185 yards on 14-22 passing. He was able to hit his open receivers for some big gains, including a 40 yard TD pass to JJ Jenkins, and a 34 yarder to Taji Johnson. LB Shaun Dolac continued his insane productivity to start the season, totaling 16 tackles for the second game in a row. He has 43 tackles in the first three games this season.
Next up: at #23 Northern Illinois 3:30 ESPN+
Temple: Lost to Coastal Carolina 28-20
The Owls kept it close against the undefeated Chanticleers, but ultimately fell short at home. CCU QB Ethan Vasko threw for just 103 yards on 15-21 passing and a TD, to go along with 92 yards on 16 carries. Next leading rusher was Christian Washington, who rushed for 59 yards on 15 carries. Temple was without the starting QB of the first two games, Forrest Brock, and Rutgers transfer Evan Simon was pressed into duty, throwing for 185 yards on 17-25 passing, with two TDs and one INT. Big 6’1” 240 lb RB Antwain Littleton led the Owls in rushing with 74 yards on 14 carries, with 37 yards coming on one carry. As a team, the Owls rushed for 129 yards on 36 carries, for 3.6 yards per carry. WR Dante Wright had a big game, with nine catches for 99 yards and a TD. LB DJ Woodbury led the team with 15 tackles. A better sign for the Owls than the first two games, but still one of the worst teams in the nation.
Next up: Utah State 2:00 ESPN+
Wake Forest: Lost to #5 Ole Miss 40-6
It went poorly for the Demon Deacons against Ole Miss, so much so, that the Wake canceled the 2025 game, paying Ole Miss a fee of $1M. Ole Miss jumped out to a 20-3 lead after one quarter and never looked back. Henry Parrish Jr rushed for two TDs in the quarter, and QB Jaxson Dart hit Jordan Watkins for a 75 yard TD pass. After a Matthew Dennis 37 yard FG to make it a 23-6 game at the half, Wake put up no points in the second half. Dart ended the game with 377 yards passing, while Parrish Jr rushed for 133 yards on 22 carries. Wake QB Hank Bachmeier threw for 239 yards on 22-39 passing. Ole Miss was penalized 11 times for 114 yards, but it did not matter, as the Rebels racked up 649 yards of offense.
Next up: Bye week
Rice: Lost to Houston 33-7
Rice’s offense sputtered in a bad road loss to Houston, in new HC Willie Fritz’ first win. The Owls threw for just 84 yards, with starter EJ Warner throwing for 50 yards on 12-21 passing and an INT, before being benched for Drew Delliver. It didn’t go much better for Delliver, as he completed four of six passes for just 34 yards. On the ground, Dean Connors led the team in rushing with 32 yards on 11 carries, nearly half of just 75 total rushing yards. Houston didn’t necessarily dominate this one, with 379 total yards, but 237 yards on the ground. QB Donovan Smith threw for 142 yards on 12-21 passing, and Stacy Sneed led the Cougs in rushing with 82 yards on 7 carries, with a long of 65. Re’Shaun Sanford II carried the ball 15 times for 71 yards and as a team, the Cougs averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
Next up: at Army 12:00 CBSSN
Georgia State: Defeated Vanderbilt 36-32
It was a wild ending in Atlanta, as GSU QB Christian Veilleux threw a TD pass with :15 left to get the win over Vandy. The Panthers’ offense was on point, outgaining the Commodores 426-365. Veilleux threw for 269 yards on 26-41 passing, arguably his best performance of the year, and they were able to get the ground game going, as Freddie Brock rushed for 96 yards on 15 carries. As a team, the Panthers rushed 34 times for 157 yards. WR Ted Hurst had a huge game, catching seven passes for 128 yards and two TDs. Vanderbilt struggled to get their run game going, rushing for just 110 yards on 34 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. QB Diego Pavia targeted TE Eli Stowers an astounding 17 times, completing nine passes for 110 yards. It was a big win for GSU, after struggling to defeat FCS Chattanooga last weekend.
Next up: Bye week
UAB: Lost to Arkansas 37-27
The Blazers were tied at the half, but couldn’t put up more than one score in the second half in a loss to the Razorbacks. QB Jacob Zeno threw for 235 yards on 23-32 passing, with 3 TDs and one INT. In the run game, UAB rushed 35 times for 119 yards, 3.4 yards per carry. The Blazers were penalized ten times for 109 yards, and kept possession for over 32 minutes. Arkansas, on the other hand, rushed 38 times for 266 yards, a 7.0 yards per carry average, led by Ja’Quinden Jackson’s 147 yards on 15 carries. QB Taylen Green rushed for 96 yards on 17 carries, but struggled in the passing game, throwing for 161 yards on 11-26 passing. UAB has allowed 197.3 yards per game on the ground, good for 117th nationally, and it won’t get easier as they face Navy in two weeks.
Next up: Bye week
Syracuse: Bye week
Next up: Stanford (Friday night) 7:30 ESPN
UMass: Lost to Buffalo 34-3
See Buffalo recap. It wasn’t good for the Minutemen.
Next up: CCSU 3:30 ESPN+