UConn Daily Digest: Big News Week

Football is back home, Paige gets ROY, plus hockey preseason polls and a Big East schedule announcement.

Author

Aman Kidwai
September 19, 2025

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Headlines

Photo: Twitter/X - @Delaware_FB

Football falls at Delaware in OT

The Huskies lost a track meet against Delaware on Saturday, surrendering a late lead on the road to fall in overtime for the second week in a row.

The offense performed well, with Joe Fagnano completing 28 of 38 pass attempts for 346 yards and two touchdowns. The run game made some big plays, but lacked consistency and is looking for answers now that Mel Brown is expected to miss at least six weeks with a collarbone injury.

The big issue was on defense. Delaware running back Jo Silver broke two big runs for scores as he averaged a startling 11.9 yards per carry (15 rushes, 179 yards). Quarterback Nick Minicucci ran for three touchdowns, including the OT game-winner.

UConn had a chance to get the win on the last drive of the fourth quarter, but committed a pass interference on 4th down and allowed another 4th-down conversion before the game-tying field goal.

In OT, UConn had the ball first and got to the two-yard line, but couldn’t punch in a TD from First & Goal, settling for a field goal after a sack on third down. A Minicucci keeper from 13 yards out sealed the deal for the home team.

“We did not play well enough today, particularly on defense,” Jim Mora said postgame. “Our offense moved the ball well, especially given the amount of injuries we had, which was a ton. Yet, we continued to move (the ball). But when you can’t get it in (the endzone) from your own two-yard line in overtime, then at that moment, you’re not good enough.”

UConn will look to right the ship on Saturday when it returns home to face Ball State. The Cardinals are one of the lowest-rated teams in FBS after scoring three points in their first two games, against Purdue and Auburn, both on the road. Last week, they outlasted FCS New Hampshire, 34-29.

The Huskies are heavily favored in their second home game of the season. Both teams will be looking for their first FBS win when the game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Full preview here

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Paige Bueckers named WNBA Rookie of the Year

We knew it was coming. Paige Bueckers has capped a brilliant 2025 by earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.

In March, she helped bring home the program’s 12th NCAA Championship. In April, she became the sixth Husky to be drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. In May, she was named the best athlete in all of women’s college sports.  

Once her pro career started, she became the 10th rookie in league history to start the All-Star Game in July. In August, she matched a WNBA rookie record with 44 points in the most efficient effort the league has ever seen. And now, she’s the seventh Husky to take home Rookie of the Year honors. 

Over 36 games, Buckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. She captured 70 of a possible 72 first-place votes. Along with Steph Castle, she accomplished an impressive feat for UConn basketball, representing the Rookies of the Year in the NBA and WNBA.

Women’s Hoops Schedule Finalized

About a week after the release of the men’s basketball schedule, the Big East women’s hoops slate is set.

Hockey polls released

Expectations are high for the Huskies on the ice. The women’s team is expected to be the top dog in Hockey East, splitting five first-place votes with Boston University.

The men’s team earned 90 points and a third-place nod, just ahead of Maine (4th) and Boston College (5th) and below BU (1st) and Providence (2nd). On the heels of the program’s best finish in history, the Huskies will try to reload, with more help coming up the pipeline soon.

The women’s team has an exhibition match ahead of their season opener next week. Head coach Chris MacKenzie and his squad will visit Quinnipiac on Saturday at 3 p.m. They open their season with a two-game series against St. Cloud starting September 26. Mike Cavanaugh and the men’s team will begin their season in Colorado Springs for a weekend set with Colorado College in October.

Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Cole Cloer Prospect Profile (9/12 Official Visit) ($) – The four-star wing out of North Carolina lists UConn as one of eight schools on his list. 

Evan Miyakawa’s MBB Preseason Projections Released ($) – Miyakawa’s algorithm projects good things for the Huskies’ roster strength.

Qayden Samuels Prospect Profile (9/19 Official Visit ($) – Details on the five-star prospect from Maryland. 

Women’s Basketball

Buckers wins ROY; WNBA Playoff Updates ($) – Bueckers gets some well-deserved hardware while several other former Huskies grind through the opening round of the playoffs. 

Paige Bueckers named 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year – Bueckers averaged 19.2 ppg on 47.7% shooting from the field. 

Paige Bueckers did her part. Now the Wings must do the same – The organization has steadily been making improvements around the young star, but how can they start winning more games?

Football

UConn football dropped by Delaware in overtime, 44-41 – Defensive woes squandered a win despite a productive offensive effort. 

Jim Mora Postgame Media Availability - Delaware (9.13.25) – Mora discussed the team’s shortcomings in its Week 3 loss. 

UConn Football Week 4 Availability - Mora, Parham & Murphy – With Ball State on deck, the Huskies share their thoughts on how to get back on track. 

Hockey

UConn men’s hockey prospects preview – 14 UConn prospects to keep an eye on. 

UConn men’s hockey announces 2025-26 roster – Seven new additions join the team, all freshmen.

UConn unveils new jersey numbers – Retracing the history of the newest Huskies’ number selections. 

Soccer

Photo gallery: Maine Black Bears @ UConn Huskies women’s soccer - 9/14/25 – The Huskies closed out their non-conference slate with a 3-1 win over Maine. 

Volleyball

Photo gallery: Northeastern Huskies @ UConn Huskies - 9/14/25 – Ian Bethune has all the shots from UConn’s win in straight sets. 

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