Kickoff: The UConn Huskies begin a three-game road trip to end the 2024 regular season at UAB. Today will be the first-ever match-up between the Huskies and Blazers.  The two teams will face each other again next fall on November 1st at the Rent.

Four keys for UConn

1st Down. The offense must keep rolling: The UConn offense was dominant in their seven home games, scoring 258 points, the most in program history. They averaged 36.9 ppg, second only to the 2010 season when they averaged 38.5 ppg in six games. Now it is time to see if they can take the show on the road. 

2nd Down. Get to Kitna: The Huskies need to get consistent pressure on Blazers quarterback Jalen Kitna. He can make plays in and out of the pocket. He needs to be contained and not allowed to extend plays. 

3rd Down. Establish the run early: UConn needs to get the ground game going because throwing the ball against UAB could be tough. The the Blazers have excelled against the pass this season, allowing just 156.5 yards per game to rank fifth among national leaders. The Huskies need to be efficient in the passing game on early downs.

4th Down. Don’t play down: UAB is not very good. The Huskies have to show up and play like the better team. They cannot play down in a game they should win. 

Extra Point: UConn is 4-3 against teams from the American Athletic Conference since becoming an independent starting in the 2021 season. The Huskies won their first three of four match-ups against the league this season, beating Florida Atlantic, 48-14, Temple, 29-20, and Rice, 17-10, all at home. 

Final Drive: The Huskies have an opportunity to play in a quality bowl game but in order to do that, they need to win this week. They can run the table but it starts with beating a team that you should beat, like UAB.