Kickoff: The Huskies are looking to bounce back from last week’s 23-20 loss to Wake Forest, their first loss at home this season. The loss snapped a five game home winning streak that dated back to last season. UConn is still in the midst of a six-game homestand, the longest home consecutive home stretch in the program’s history of playing at The Rent. The Huskies will close out their seven-game home slate next Friday night when they host Georgia State.

Here are four keys to the game.

1st Down. Bounce back: The Warriors need to bounce back. They played well in spots but did not do enough to beat Wake Forest. The running game in particular needs to be better. It has been non-existent the past two weeks.

2nd Down. Emphasize the run early: With that said, the Huskies need to make a concerted effort to run the ball. They are at their best offensively when the ground game is going and they can blend it with their play-action and vertical passing game. Getting Cam Edwards and the other backs going early is important.

3rd Down. Get to Warner: Quarterback E.J. Warner has been good for Rice. He has thrown for 1573 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He has completed 160-of-263 passes. 60.8 percent, and ranks 15th nationally averaging 22.9 completions per game.  He ranks 43rd in passing yards and 52nd in passing touchdowns. The Rice offensive line has done a nice job protecting Warner, ranking seventh in sacks allowed (0.71 pg).

The Huskies have to find a way to get consistent pressure on him. If they do not, he could have a big day.

4th Down. Secondary must play well: The secondary will be challenged today. They need to rise to the occasion and play well. They must communicate and have no break downs. Warner and the Rice passing game is good and could make life hard on the Huskies defense.

Extra Point: Saturday’s match-up marks the second all-time meeting between UConn and Rice. The Huskies took the first-ever meeting, 38-31, last fall at Rice Stadium in Houston.

Final Drive: The Huskies have a golden opportunity to bounce back but they need to play cleaner than they have the last two games or it could be a long afternoon at the Rent.