How did UConn's Opponents Fare in Week 9?
Georgia State (2-5): Lost to App State (3-4) 33-26
The Panthers had no QB controversy this week, starting Zach Gibson from the jump, although it didn’t lead to a win in Boone. Gibson threw for 192 yards and a TD on 16-22 passing. The run game was stronger, rushing for 5.7 yards per carry, led by Michel Dukes, who carried the ball six times for 81 yards, including a long of 35. Defensively, GSU allowed 479 yards, 299 through the air, and didn’t force any turnovers. RB Ahmani Marshall rushed for 115 yards on 18 carries, including a long of only 14, so the 6.4 ypc is a pretty accurate assessment of what he was able to do. The Panthers still have Sun Belt games remaining of JMU, Arkansas State, Texas State, and Coastal Carolina, all of whom have winning records, so this is a must-win game for their bowl hopes under first year HC Dell McGee.
Up Next: at UConn 7:00 CBSSN (Fri)
UAB (1-6): Bye Week
Up Next: Tulsa (3-5) 2:30 ESPN+
Syracuse (5-2): Lost to #19 Pitt (7-0) 41-13
After starting out very strong, Syracuse QB Kyle McCord came crashing back down to Earth last Thursday, throwing three first half pick sixes, five interceptions overall. He continued his streak of throwing for 300+ yards in each game with 321, a season low, on 35-64 passing. The Orange got nothing going in the run game, with Lequint Allen rushing for just 32 yards on 15 carries. TE Oronde Gadsden was targeted six times and caught just three passes for 33 yards. The Pitt defense was just swarming like the “The Sharks” moniker they’ve been given by the coaching staff. Syracuse held possession for over 41 minutes, and outgained Pitt 327-217, with the Orange running more than twice the amount of plays. Syracuse was 6-20 on 3rd downs, just a dominating performance by Pitt, who was selected 13th in the ACC preseason poll.
Up Next: Virginia Tech (5-3) 12:00 CW
UMass (2-6): Defeated Wagner (4-5) 35-7
The Minutemen got their second win of the season, both over FCS teams from the Northeast Conference. Their chances of wins over FBS teams are dwindling, with matchups at Mississippi State and Georgia, and home matchups against Liberty and UConn remaining. They’ve lost their top WR from last year to the portal in Anthony Simpson, and the pass game continues to struggle, with Taisun Phommachanh throwing for 129 yards on 10-18 passing, with T.Y. Harding leading the way with three catches for 49 yards and a TD. Current leading receiver Jakobie Keeney-James was targeted eight times but caught only three passes for 24 yards. Wagner held possession for over 39 minutes, but managed only 218 yards, just 56 yards through the air. The Seahawks threw just nine times, instead opting to run the ball 50 times. Doesn’t tell much about UMass, other than they’re not among the worst FCS teams.
Up Next: at Mississippi State (1-7) 4:15 SECN
Past Opponents:
Maryland (4-4): Lost to Minnesota (5-3) 48-23
Up Next: Bye Week
Merrimack (4-4): Defeated Colgate (2-6) 51-17
Up Next: at Robert Morris (5-3) 12:00
Duke (6-2): Lost to #22 SMU 28-27 (OT)
Up Next: at #5 Miami (FL) 12:00 ABC
FAU (2-5): Bye Week
Up Next: South Florida (3-4) 7:30 PM ESPN2 (Fri)
Buffalo (4-4): Lost to Ohio 47-16
Up Next: at Akron (2-6) 12:00 CBSSN
Temple (2-6): Lost to East Carolina (4-4) 56-34
Up Next: Bye Week
Wake Forest (4-4): Defeated Stanford (2-6) 27-24
Up Next: Bye Week