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New UConn head
coach Jason Candle and his team passed their first test in record fashion on Saturday. 

The second test
should prove a much bigger challenge. 

The Huskies gained
a program-high 671 yards of total offense in their 56-7 defeat of Lafayette at Pratt
& Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. The previous
high was 638 against Central Connecticut in the season opener in 2025. 

Against the FCS
Leopards, the Huskies showed an explosive offense and a stifling defense that
looked, for the most part, as if both units had played together for years – not like a team that welcomed
a new coaching staff and 87 new players. 

Next Saturday, Big
Ten program Maryland will visit East Hartford, the first of three Power Four
teams on the schedule this season.  

Here’s what
worked for the Huskies and what didn’t. 

The
quarterback

Who would start
at quarterback was a mystery until Friday night when news emerged that Kalieb
Osborne would take the ball. Osborne, who played for Candle at Toledo, got the Huskies
out to a 42-0 start before giving way to Tucker McDonald.

Osborne
finished his day 19-for-26 passing for 265 yards with two touchdowns and an
interception. He added 90 yards and two scores on the ground.

McDonald, who
backed up starter Joe Fagnano last season, was part of a three-man competition
in camp with Osborne and Tennessee transfer Jack Merklinger. He entered in the third
quarter and immediately led a five-play, 85-yard scoring drive.

He was 6-of-7
passing on the day for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception. 

Merklinger did
not dress for the game. He was on the sideline with a wrap on his right hand, and
the UConn radio broadcast team reported he did not practice on Thursday.

Jake Merklinger is not dressed for today’s game against Lafayette. He had a wrap on his throwing hand. @NBCConnecticut | #UConnpic.twitter.com/jgscdxe884

— Steven Pappas (@StevenPappasTV) September 5, 2026

The crowd

The tailgaters
were out very early under blue skies and carried the morning enthusiasm into the stadium with
them. UConn implored fans to “Pack the Rent,” and they responded, with 31,831
fans on hand. The turnout in the student section was impressive, too, though by
the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the stands were emptying.

Here in blue lot @PWStadium ahead of the @UConnFootball season opener! pic.twitter.com/jQxK4ZAKh5

— This Is UConn Country (@UConnSN) September 5, 2026

The defense

UConn held
Lafayette scoreless until the final minute of the game, when the Leopards went
75 yards on eight plays to finally get into the end zone with 44 seconds
remaining.

The Leopards gained
just 209 net yards on the day, with all but 53 yards coming on two drives – the
scoring drive and one that ended in a turnover on downs in the third quarter
after 14 plays and 81 yards gained.

Their 13 drives
included 11 punts.

The
not-so-good

UConn could withstand
self-inflicted wounds against a team like Lafayette – the sole FCS opponent on
the schedule. The Leopards couldn’t take advantage of the Huskies’ miscues, but
Maryland and the other FBS teams down the road this season will.

One of the
things that made the Huskies so good last year (9-4) was their firm grip on the
ball. Fagnano threw just one interception to lead the nation among qualifying
quarterbacks, and UConn lost just one fumble.

Against
Lafayette, the Huskies equaled those two turnovers, with both Osborne and McDonald
throwing a pick.

And Candle and
his staff will need to address the penalties. The Huskies racked up 11 for 134 yards. Last season, the Huskies averaged 48.3 yards in penalties
per game.

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