UConn Daily Digest: Football Flying So High

We are discussing bowl eligibility in October! Also, Big East Media Day and a surprise injury announcement.

Author

Aman Kidwai
October 24, 2025

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Headlines

UConn Slays the Eagles

Tell a friend, or two, UConn football is good!

The Huskies have won four in a row after beating up Boston College in Chestnut Hill, 38-23, improving to 5-2 and letting all sorts of optimism back into the conversation about the trajectory of this season. They’re up to 56th nationally in ESPN’s SP+ overall efficiency rankings, 70th in its College Football Power Index (FPI).

It was another impressive week for Joe Fagnano, who set a career high in passing yards for the second week in a row as Juice Vereen and John Neider grabbed their first career receiving touchdowns while notching personal highs in receiving yards. It was an all-around good showing for the offense, which is surprisingly being led by the passing attack. 

For his efforts, Fagnano has been named to the Manning Award Watch List. He’s 13th in the country in passing yards per game (274.0), 18th in passing efficiency (161.3), 18th in passing TDs (15), 22nd in completions per game (22.0), 25th in completion percentage (.681), and 27th in points responsible for (102).

With Rice on deck as the first of five remaining games, UConn should be favored in all five and could make a bid to set program marks for wins in one season or over a two-year span. Storrs Central’s Graham Chamberlain has also shared that a Fenway Bowl or Pinstripe Bowl bid could be in the cards if the Huskies reach eight or nine wins. 

UConn kicks off at Rice at 3 p.m. on ESPN+.

The Owls are 3-4 and have lost three in a row, including a beating at the hands of UTSA before a bye last week. Their run-first attack could be a challenge for the Huskies’ vulnerable run defense, but UConn should have the talent edge and team maturity to come out with the program’s third win in as many years over Rice.

Mullins Out ~6 Weeks

On Friday afternoon, UConn dropped the disappointing news that five-star freshman Braylon Mullins, the preseason Big East freshman of the year, is expected to miss around six weeks after an ankle injury in practice.

Tarris Reed Jr. is also expected to miss the Michigan State exhibition, while Georgia transfer guard Silas Demary Jr. missed the Boston College exhibition. The Huskies may be down a few starters against the Spartans and when the season begins.

Olivia Vukosa commits to UConn

UConn women’s basketball has landed its first recruit for the 2026-27 season, welcoming Olivia Vukosa to Storrs after her commitment on Tuesday. Vukosa was the No. 3 overall prospect according to ESPN. 

The Big East: Powered By UConn

UConn women’s basketball is expected to run away with the Big East again this season, while the men’s team was picked to finish second.

For different reasons, Dan Hurley and Geno Auriemma don’t get bothered over preseason rankings, with Hurley using a few choice words to describe their importance at Tuesday’s Big East Media Day.

The Huskies dominated the preseason league honors. Sarah Strong was named the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year and a Preseason AP All-American. Kelis Fisher was tabbed as the Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year. KK Arnold, Azzi Fudd, Serah Williams, Ashlynn Shade, and Strong all received Preseason Big East Team nods.

Their season opener has been moved to Annapolis after originally being scheduled to be played in Germany. We also got a look at their championship rings yesterday.

On the men’s side, Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, and Tarris Reed Jr. picked up Preseason First Team honors, with Karaban a unanimous selection. Silas Demary Jr. was named to the Second Team. 

Eight Huskies in the NBA

If you didn’t catch the Oklahoma City Thunder-Houston Rockets wild double-overtime finish Tuesday night, then now is a good time to remind you that the NBA is back. 

Our annual refresher can fill you in on all the Huskies playing around the league. Seven of them have played fewer than three professional seasons.

  • Andre Drummond – Philadelphia 76ers (14th season)

  • Tyrese Martin – Brooklyn Nets (3rd season)

  • Jordan Hawkins – New Orleans Pelicans (3rd season)

  • Andre Jackson Jr. – Milwaukee Bucks (3rd season)

  • Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs (2nd season)

  • Donovan Clingan – Portland Trail Blazers (2nd season)

  • Cam Spencer – Memphis Grizzlies (2nd season)

  • Liam McNeeley – Charlotte Hornets (1st season)

Players who appeared in NBA Summer League but did not make an opening night roster include James Bouknight, Tristen Newton, Samson Johnson, and Adama Sanogo. Sanogo inked an international deal and is now playing in Italy. 

And while he’s not playing, Shabazz Napier is back in the NBA as a coaching apprentice with the Washington Wizards.

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Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Husky ReView: Boston College Exhibition ($) - An in-depth review of the Huskies’ exhibition opener.

Tyrese Martin makes Brooklyn Nets as one of eight Huskies in NBA - Martin earned his NBA roster spot the hard way after being a second-round pick.

UConn MBB Big East Media Day Availability - 10.21.25 - Hear from Dan Hurley, Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, and Tarris Reed Jr.

Women’s Basketball

Sarah Strong named AP Preseason All-American - A tremendous honor for the sophomore.

UConn WBB Big East Media Day Availability - 10.21.25 - Hear from Geno Auriemma, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong.

Football

UConn Defeats Boston College, 38-23 - A dominant second half pushes the Huskies to victory.

UConn Football’s 2025 Goals Are in Sight ($) - Eight or nine regular-season wins and a good bowl invite are in play.

UConn Football Postgame Media Availability - Boston College - Jim Mora discusses the toughness of Cam Edwards and the progress of his program.

Joe Fagnano Exclusive Postgame Interview (Boston College 10/18) - Hear from QB1 after his career-high performance.

Beyond the Box Score: PFF Grades - Boston College ($) - A deeper look at player performances from Saturday.

Rice Week Game Thread ($) - Discuss the upcoming game with fellow fans!

Hockey

No. 12 UConn holds on to beat No. 16 Ohio State, 3-2 - Good start to the weekend for Mike Cavanaugh’s squad.

Poor finishing haunts UConn in 4-2 loss to Ohio State ($) - A deeper look at the weekend’s second game.

Mike Cavanaugh Media Availability - 10.22.25 - Hear from the #IceBus head coach!

Soccer

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