1. Slow UConn’s ground game. Much like UB, the Huskies don’t have a bell cow running back.
Instead, UConn has three players who have run for at least 151 yards, including running back Durell Robinson (35 carries for 296 yards, three touchdowns) and starting quarterback Nick Evers (34 carries for 151 yards, two touchdowns), and have combined for seven of the Huskies’ nine rushing touchdowns. The Huskies average 241.5 rushing yards per game, and UB’s defense must push for UConn to rely on the pass, where its production has been pedestrian, at best.
Evers, a transfer from Wisconsin who missed a game due to a concussion, and Joe Fagnano have combined for 806 yards on 52 completions. But Fagnano has thrown for seven of UConn’s nine touchdowns. Bulls linebacker Shaun Dolac lines up against UMass at UB Stadium on Sept.
14. 2. Make the pass a priority, on offense and defense.
UConn’s rushing defense is its forte, as the Huskies have allowed opponents 169.3 rushing yards per game, and 222.5 passing yards per game.
UConn’s running game is its forte on offense. UConn threw for just 135 yards in a 26-21 loss Sept. 14 at Duke, then threw for 121 yards in a rout of Florida Atlantic.
But the Huskies ran for an eye-popping 421 yards on 66 plays against FAU, including 156 yards each from Robinson and Mel Brown, and allowed the Owls 163 rushing yards. UConn had only 15 pass plays against FAU. UConn’s offensive line is also sturdy, and the Huskies are one of two teams in the cou.