UConn football vs. Southern Miss: TV info, Keys to the game, behind the numbers
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UConn Huskies (1-1, FBS Independent) vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
TV: ESPN+ (Jason Baker, Larry Boyd)
Radio: UConn Sports Network (Adam Giardino, Wayne Norman, Michael Johnson)
Fox Sports 97-9 FM (Hartford), WAVZ 1300 AM (New Haven), WGCH 1490 AM (Greenwich), WILI 1400 AM/95.3 FM (Willimantic), WICH 1310 AM/94.5 FM (Norwich-New London)
Online: The Varsity Network App
SiriusXM 269 and on the SiriusXM App 978
Odds: UConn favored -3.5, O/U: 54.5 points
Series History
This is the first time in program history that Connecticut will face off against Southern Miss. Head Coach Jason Candle has also never clashed with the Golden Eagles while at Toledo. Despite never playing each other, there are some familiar faces.
During Head Coach Blake Anderson’s tenure at Arkansas State, Candle’s team defeated the Red Wolves three times. The two programs also met at the 2015 GoDaddy.com Bowl, where Toledo won 63-44. UConn has also seen Anderson. In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Anderson beat the Huskies twice while coaching at Utah State.
Game Notes:UConn|Southern Miss
Pre-Game Press Conferences
Fun With Numbers
2: There are two former Huskies on the Golden Eagles’ roster. Defensive back Kobi Albert is a redshirt junior and joined UConn in 2025, as did defensive back Michael Robinson III.
Michael Robinson III also transferred to Southern Miss after playing in two games during UConn’s 2025 stretch, but didn’t post any stats. In two matches with the Golden Eagles, the 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back has notched nine tackles (five solo, four assisted) and forced a fumble against Auburn.
3: Since the 2022 season, Connecticut has faced three different Sun Belt opponents: Marshall in the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl, a 28-14 loss; Georgia State on the road, falling 35-14 in 2023; and a James Madison team that destroyed them, 44-6). The Huskies own a 1-3 overall record against Sun Belt opponents since 2022. They’ll play three Sun Belt opponents this year: USM, James Madison, and Old Dominion.
4: The former Husky Albert has recorded four turnovers thus far, including three interceptions and a fumble recovery against Auburn.
5: The Golden Eagles were picked to finish 5th out of seven in their division in the Sun Belt preseason poll.
613: The Southern Miss defense allowed 613 total offensive yards (270 passing, 343 rushing) against Auburn.
41: Last time Jason Candle was in the state of Mississippi, his Toledo Rockets defeated the SEC’s Mississippi State, 41-17.
Keys to the Game
Offensive Bounceback
UConn’s offense came up flat against Maryland. That was a Big Ten opponent and a team that’s had a top-50 defense in each of the last three years.
This week, the Huskies will look to establish the run early and prove that they can score in a more even matchup against the Golden Eagles. Quarterback Kalieb Osborne didn’t have the strongest numbers last week, in his third career start. But he has lots of promise and the poise to lead the bounce-back UConn needs. Through two weeks, he’s displayed a fun combination of mobility, arm strength, and decision-making.
“All around, [we] have to get the energy going a little bit. It starts off at the first play; you have to attack them,” wide receiver Shamar Porter said. “Once you get going as an offense, you have to attack them [and] come ready every play. 6-second plays and you have to go on to the next.”
On third down, the Huskies only moved the chains 3 of 11 times, facing an average third-down to-go of 8.3 yards last week. The run game was a non-factor. Kenji Christian (17 yards) and Cyncir Bowers (12 yards) combined for 29 rushing yards on the day. These guys have to get going and make sure the Husky defense has enough rest.
“We just have to execute, finish our runs, trust our keys and do what we have to do,” Bowers said.
Get Disruptive Defensively
UConn forced the Terrapins’ gunslinger, Malik Washington, out of the pocket several times, but he stayed mostly clean and they completed a lot of passes in tight windows — a credit to Washington and his receivers.
“Those kids on the defensive front played their tail off,” Candle said, noting that he’s confident in the secondary going forward.
The Huskies finished with one sack, one QB hurry, and haven’t forced a turnover through two games this season. For a defense that billed itself as aggressive, this needs to change. The Golden Eagles turned the ball over twice in their 43-8 loss to Auburn last week.
The Husky defense may give us some scoring drives, but they the size and depth to make enough stops on Saturday. They face a Golden Eagles offense that is totally rebuilt after a coaching change this offseason, like UConn, but their key players are experienced. Quarterback Ethan Hampton spent four years an Northern Illinois, though he was injured for large stretches of it; they have two reliable backs in Steven Robinson and Jamarice Wilder, and a top receiver in Mario Sanders II who have been productive for them.
UConn was tested against Maryland, but the talent advantage played out how we expected. In a game where the talent should be at least even, if not skewing in the Huskies’ favor a little, this needs to show up defensively.
Who Steps up at Receiver?
Javon Brown broke out in a big way in Week 1 and earned high praise from Candle for his development and work ethic. He followed that up with zero catches against Maryland but is a threat to re-establish himself this week. JD Willoughby has also shown his big-play ability after the 37-yard touchdown against the Terps. He also had a long touchdown reversed by penalty in the opener against Lafayette.
In his third year as a Husky, Shamar Porter posted a career-high 62 receiving yards against Maryland last week, adding a touchdown. Candle said the senior should continue to be a playmaker as he gets more comfortable with the new offensive scheme.
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