Connecticut had a week off going into its game against Wake Forest. That might add to the Huskies’ energy when they face the Demon Deacons on Saturday in East Hartford, Conn.
Connecticut (4-2) is riding a three-game winning streak.
“I haven’t felt that our team has been fatigued,” Huskies coach Jim Mora said. “I think our team did a good job this whole offseason of pushing and building some endurance. I think that’s going to help us down the stretch.”
Wake Forest (2-4) leaves the state of North Carolina for the first time this season.
The Demon Deacons have defeated only one Football Bowl Subdivision team in 2024.
“You have to ignore their record and look at the way they play on film,” Mora said. “They’ve got experience at a key position, which is quarterback. Hank Bachmeier, who I actually recruited when I was at UCLA. He has got a lot of snaps, very experienced.”
Mora has a photo of him posing with Bachmeier, who’s in his first season with the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest was roughed up by No. 10 Clemson on Saturday, losing 49-14 at home.
“We have a chance to have a good year,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “We’re sitting here 2-4 and lost to two top 10 teams and lost two one-score games.”
UConn hasn’t played since a 29-20 victory against visiting Temple on Oct. 5. The extra time off before facing Wake Forest likely will be helpful for the Huskies.
The Demon Deacons’ unorthodox offense will provide a different challenge for UConn’s defense.
“It is very tough to prepare for. It’s very meshed up,” Mora said. “You have to be patient, but you can’t play on your heels.”
Wake Forest is 18-7 in non-conference games in the past six years, though the Demon Deacons have lost their two most recent games to out-of-league foes by falling to Mississippi and Louisiana.
“They’ve done a great job of flipping it around from last year,” Clawson said of the Huskies, who went 3-9 in 2023. “They look like a Power 4 football team.”
Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano has thrown for 11 touchdowns with three interceptions and sits at 999 passing yards for the season.
There could be some more wrinkles to the Huskies’ offense. That doesn’t necessarily mean new plays.
“You’re always manipulating them every week,” Mora said. “You’re trying to hide things that you do by formation, by motion, by personnel group.”
UConn has won its past five home games dating to last season. The teams haven’t met since Wake Forest won 24-10 in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
–Field Level Media
