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2h ago

UConn Hosts Ball State as Heavy Favorite After Back-to-Back Overtime Losses

The matchup turns on UConn’s backfield reshuffle after Mel Brown’s collarbone injury, with the defense tasked with containing Ball State runner–QB Kiael Kelly.

Ball State's offensive strength is the running game led by quarterback Kiael Kelly, who is among the rushing leaders for the 1-2 Cardinals. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Overview

  • Kickoff is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Rentschler Field on CBS Sports Network, with UConn favored by 21.5 points; both teams enter 1-2.
  • UConn’s offense ranks among the national leaders at 525 yards and 40 points per game, driven by Joe Fagnano’s turnover-free start and Skyler Bell’s 22 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Defensive lapses have defined UConn’s recent losses, including 416 passing yards allowed to Syracuse and 512 total yards to Delaware, as it now confronts a dual-threat quarterback in Kelly.
  • With Mel Brown sidelined an estimated 6–8 weeks by a broken collarbone, Cam Edwards takes on a larger workload, with Victor Rosa and other depth options in line for carries.
  • Linebacker Bryun Parham paces the Huskies with a nation-leading five sacks, while Ball State arrives after heavy defeats at Purdue and Auburn followed by a win over New Hampshire and features ex-UConn defenders Nathan Voorhis and Alfred Chea.