UConn vs. Army Prediction: Fenway Bowl Game Preview
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UConn can secure its first 10-win season in program history with a win against Army in the Fenway Bowl. The issue for the Huskies is that starting quarterback Joe Fagano has entered the transfer portal, along with several other starters. Biletnikoff Award finalist Skyler Bell has reportedly been trying to convince his teammates to suit up with him against the Black Knights.
Connecticut (9-3) is already without head coach Jim Mora, who was hired at Colorado State. Though the Huskies poached Jason Candle from Toledo, interim coach Gordon Sammis is set to lead the team into its second consecutive Fenway Bowl appearance. This is the first time since the first Randy Edsall era that UConn has made back-to-back bowl trips.
Army (6-6) secured bowl eligibility ahead of a tight loss to top rival Navy. The Black Knights are 5-1 in bowl games under coach Jeff Monken.
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UConn leads the all-time series against Army, 5-4. However, the Black Knights won the most recent meetings in 2022 and 2021.
Wasabi Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. Army Odds, Details
Location: Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts
Kickoff: Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Army -8.5
Over/Under: 43.5
Announcers: Wes Durham, Steve Addazio
UConn vs. Army: Keys to Victory
Why UConn Will Win
Bell’s pitch to his teammates seems to be working. Starting running back Cam Edwards, who ran for over 1,100 yards this season, has said he plans to play, too. Without Fagano, the Huskies will turn to backup Nick Evers, who played sparingly for the Huskies this season. He saw the field much more in 2024, making eight starts in which he was quick to take off and run. Fagano was a prolific passer, throwing for over 3,000 yards with an unmatched 28-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The switch to Evers will likely force the offense to lean heavier on Edwards, which isn’t a bad option against an Army defense that struggles to stop the run. And when Evers is asked to pass, Bell (101 receptions) likely will be his go-to target.
Many of the UConn players in the portal are on the offensive side of the ball. But the defense the Huskies will be trotting out was lit up for 45 points by FAU in the regular-season finale and surrendered 37 to Rice and 41 to Syracuse in overtime losses. The strength on that side of the ball is the linebacker duo of Byrun Parham and Oumar Diomande, the team’s top two tacklers and sack-getters. They’ll be essential when it comes to stopping a run-heavy offense led by quarterback Cale Hellums. UConn also has 36 sacks on the season, which is tied for the 13th most in the FBS.
Why Army Will Win
Hellums will not be denied. He nearly led an upset over a formidable Navy team, handling 25 carries in the game. And that’s nowhere near his season-high of 38. The Black Knights do not go away from their bread and butter. They average the fewest passing yards per game in the country and the fifth-most rushing yards. Hellums accounts for most of that production, as his 1,178 yards on the ground are more than double than the team’s next-best rusher. That approach leads to low-scoring matchups, which is not what UConn is used to. Something will have to give.
Army’s defense does a good job of limiting explosive plays. And given that their offense isn’t producing many, most of its games devolve into slogs. That favors the Black Knights’ ball-control game plan. Only two teams have cracked 30 points against Monken’s group, a common occurrence for the Huskies. The Black Knights defense was well represented on the American all-conference teams, and they could tee off on a quarterback making his first start of the season.
Fenway Bowl Prediction: UConn 23, Army 20
Despite the sizable spread, this game seems destined to come down to the last possession. Together, these teams have played in five overtime games and 16 one-score contests. Monken’s teams always get up for their bowl games, but these aren’t the same old Huskies. UConn beat ACC champion Duke a little over a month ago and has pieces in place around Evers — assuming Bell’s pitch keeps the roster largely intact — to mount an upset.
ATS: UConn +8.5
O/U: Under 43.5
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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