Game Thread: Southern Miss vs. UConn football| 7 p.m. on ESPN+
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UConn football in Mississippi for their first road game of the season as two .500 teams look to get their seasons on track. This should be an even matchup that tests both sides.
The Huskies (1-1) meet the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-1, 0-0) in Week 3 at Carlisle-Faulkner Field on Saturday, kicking off at 7 p.m.
Get ready for the game with our matchup preview and a review of last week!
Matchup Preview & Keys to the Game
UConn dropped by Maryland, 38-14
Matchup Notes
Despite being on the road, Connecticut is favored by -3.5. When competing against Group of 6 programs, the Huskies expect to have a fast, balanced offense and an aggressive defense. We’ve seen more signs for the offense than the defense so far. The Huskies managed some big plays early against Maryland, including two long touchdown passes, but still have yet to force a turnover all season.
Scouting Southern Miss Football
Similar to UConn, Southern Miss battled a strong power-conference team in the Auburn Tigers, falling 43-8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Quarterback Ethan Hampton completed 18 of 27 (66.7%) passes for 146 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown, averaging 5.4 yards per throw. Hampton is a traditional pocket passer who typically runs only when under pressure. The Golden Eagles’ offensive line is inexperienced. Many are in their first year at the FBS or even Division 1 level.
In the run game, Steven Robinson is a physical, downhill runner who is patient when finding the hole. Mario Sanders II is Hampton’s top target and has proven experience. The senior is one of five wideouts who transferred from a Division 1 program, but is the only one seeing production. Against Auburn, he reeled in three receptions for 58 yards.
“They fly around; they’re high energy,” linebacker Hayden Pegg said. “They’re going to run around, they’re going to make plays and they’re a really physical team.”
Defensive back Laquan Robinson leads the team with 18 tackles (13 solo, 5 assisted) and linebacker Mathis Haygood trails with 15 (five solo, 10 assisted). They have an experienced secondary but not as much up front.
“They’re very fast side to side. They have a lot of agile linebackers,” Running back Cyncir Bowers said. “They have a good safety No. 12 [Robinson]. I feel like they definitely have a speed aspect.”
Additional Notes
- The weather forecast in Hattiesburg calls for a high of 99 degrees, though it should cool down by the evening kickoff, with clear skies and a low of 71.
- Southern Miss had trouble with Auburn’s QB Byrum Brown last week, as Brown finished with 225 passing yards, 88 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns in the Tigers’ rout of the Golden Eagles last week. Osborne could have a similar impact against this less experienced front seven.
- Southern Miss took 11 penalties for 85 yards last week, while UConn also committed eight penalties for 90 yards against Maryland. Both teams will be looking to clean things up but also could hurt themselves with unforced errors.
- This game was scheduled very late in the process, considering that most college football schedules are set years in advance. In February, UConn announced this matchup to replace a game against Duke that may have been the victim of the ACC’s move to a 9-game schedule.
- Southern Miss is scheduled to make a return visit to Rentschler Field in 2029.
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