How did UConn's Opponents Fare in Week 11?
UAB (2-6): Defeated Tulsa 59-21
HC Trent Dilfer earned a reputation as a QB guru from his time in preps and running the Elite 11 competition, but to start this season, that was nowhere to be found. Former Florida QB Jalen Kitna took over on 10/5, and he’s improved each game but finally broke out for over 400 yards and six passing TDs in a big road over Tulsa. The Blazers need to win out to earn bowl eligibility, but face two tough games against the Huskies and on the road against Memphis in their next two. The Blazers were even able to get their run game going a bit against the Golden Hurricane, averaging nearly five yards per carry. UAB allowed 3.8 yards per carry, and impressive feat considering Tulsa ran the ball 49 times. The rushing attack is rated 95th in yardage nationally, but the Blazers are 35th in passing yards per game (262.4), and defensively, they allow 35.5 points per game, good for 125th.
Up Next: UConn (6-3) 2:30 ESPN+
Syracuse (6-2): Defeated Virginia Tech
On a day where QB Kyle McCord snapped his streak of seven straight games with over 300 yards, one would think the Orange would have lost, but alas, LeQuint Allen was there to save the day, as Syracuse won in overtime. The Hokies jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead, but the Orange were able to cut the lead three at 21-18 by the end of the third quarter, on the strength of an Allen TD, and a 55 yard TD catch for Justus Ross-Simmons. In the fourth, Ross-Simmons caught his second TD pass of the day, and Allen rushed for a one yard TD with just :29 seconds left to force overtime. The Orange scored first in the extra period, another Allen TD, but Virginia Tech started putting up their response. A PI on the first play for Va Tech got them to a 1st and goal situation, but then a holding call pushed them back to their own 20. On 2nd and goal from the 20, QB Colin Schlee rushed for about ten yards, then fumbled, recovered by the Orange and that was it. Syracuse is bowl eligible again for the first time since 2022.
Up Next: At Boston College (4-4) 12:00 The CW
UMass (2-7): Lost to Mississippi State 45-20
As far as buy games go, it doesn’t get much for the team being bought than to take on a 1-7 team who had not beaten an FBS opponent yet this season. At first, it looked pretty good for the Minutemen, taking a 10-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close behind a RB Brandon Campbell TD run. The Bulldogs woke up in the second, scoring 21 straight to take an eleven point lead going into the half. UMass wouldn’t score again until the 4th quarter, a FG, then a Jakobie Keeney-James TD catch with :17 left. UMass wound up playing three QBs, as Taisun Phommachanh struggled against the SEC defense, while rushing 49 times for an average of 4.1 yards per carry. It doesn’t get much easier for UMass after this bye week, taking on Liberty at home, followed by a trip to Athens to take on Georgia.
Up Next: Bye Week
Past Opponents:
Maryland (4-4): Bye Week
Up Next: at #1 Oregon (9-0) 7:00 BTN
Merrimack (4-5): Lost to Robert Morris 6-0
Up Next: Bye Week
Duke (6-3): Lost to #5 Miami (FL) 53-31
Up Next: at NC State (5-4) 3:30 ACCN
FAU (2-6): Lost to South Florida 44-21
Up Next: at East Carolina (4-4) 8:00 ESPN2 (Thu)
Buffalo (5-4): Defeated Akron 41-30
Up Next: Ball State (3-5) TBD (11/12)
Temple (2-6): Bye Week
Up Next: at Tulane (7-2) 4:00 ESPNU
Wake Forest (4-4): Bye Week
Up Next: Cal (4-4) 8:00 ACCN (Fri)
Rice (3-6): Defeated Navy 24-10
Up Next: at Memphis (7-2) 9:00 ESPN2 (Fri)