Quick Read
- UConn football seeks first FBS 10-win season at the 2025 Fenway Bowl.
- Star QB Joe Fagnano has opted out; Skyler Bell and Cam Edwards will play.
- Interim coach Gordon Sammis leads Huskies before joining TCU; Army favored by 7.5 points.
There are seasons that simply pass by, and then there are seasons that redefine a program. For the UConn Huskies football team, 2025 has been the latter—a year marked by firsts, farewells, and the tantalizing possibility of making history. This Saturday, at Boston’s iconic Fenway Park, the Huskies will meet the Army Black Knights in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, with more on the line than just a trophy.
Coming off a 9-3 regular season, UConn is chasing its first 10-win campaign in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) era. Already, the Huskies have posted back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time ever, a testament to the program’s resilience and evolving identity. Their last bowl appearance, just one year ago, ended with a statement win over North Carolina—now, the challenge is to finish even stronger against Army.
The road to this moment has been anything but smooth. The Huskies have faced a whirlwind of change, both on and off the field. Star quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for over 3,400 yards with 31 touchdowns and only a single turnover, has opted out to prepare for a potential NFL career, leaving the starting role uncertain. Nick Evers, Ksaan Farrar, and Tucker McDonald are all in the mix, but interim head coach Gordon Sammis is keeping his cards close, telling reporters, “We’ve got a plan, a couple of guys ready to go.”
That sense of uncertainty extends to the coaching staff itself. Gordon Sammis will lead the team for this bowl game before departing to join TCU as offensive coordinator. Jason Candle, newly appointed, will be tasked with maintaining the upward momentum built over these past two seasons—a challenge that’s as much about culture as it is about play-calling.
One thing is certain: star receiver Skyler Bell, UConn’s first consensus All-American and a Biletnikoff Award finalist, will suit up for his final collegiate game, putting to rest rumors of a last-minute opt-out. “I’d be remiss to leave and look back at that last game and say, ‘Why didn’t I suit up with my guys one last time?’” Bell remarked, highlighting the pride and camaraderie driving the Huskies’ locker room.
Running back Cam Edwards, expected to be a focal point of the offense, looks poised for a big game, with SportsLine projections anticipating over 85 rushing yards and a touchdown. Tight end Louis Hansen, playing his final college contest in front of family and friends near his hometown, is another emotional anchor for a team that’s balancing celebration with determination.
But the Huskies won’t be facing a pushover. Army, coming in at 6-6 and fresh off a narrow loss to Navy, is a model of discipline—leading the nation in time of possession and ranking sixth in rushing yards per game with its signature triple-option attack. UConn’s defense, which struggled against the run at times this season, will need to rise to the occasion, especially given Army’s ability to grind down the clock and keep opposing offenses off the field.
Both teams are navigating roster turbulence. UConn has lost both starting offensive tackles to the transfer portal, forcing Ty Chan and Toriyan Johnson into starting roles. Still, the Huskies have largely kept their core intact, with most starters expected to play, including linebacker Bryun Parham, who ranks top-10 nationally in sacks.
The stakes extend beyond the scoreboard. UConn is within striking distance of multiple offensive records—total yards, passing touchdowns, first downs, and points scored—all symbolic of the team’s transformation since going independent in 2021. The Huskies are 7-4 against American Conference teams in that span, holding a 2-1 mark this season. Against Army, UConn leads the all-time series 5-4, but hasn’t beaten the Black Knights since 2015.
As the game approaches, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in Boston. UConn fans have already descended upon the city, their energy amplified by pep rallies and a collective hope that this team can finish what it started. The opening kickoff is set for 2:15 p.m., broadcast on ESPN, and for many players, it will be a farewell—one last run in the blue and white.
Army enters as a 7.5-point favorite, a nod to its consistency and ground game. Yet, UConn’s story this season has been one of overcoming odds and rewriting expectations. The Huskies’ offensive firepower, even without Fagnano, remains formidable, with the SportsLine projection model forecasting a high-scoring affair, likely clearing the 42.5-point over/under.
Ultimately, this Fenway Bowl is more than a postseason matchup. It’s a crossroads for UConn football—a chance to cement a legacy, celebrate a team’s growth, and send off its seniors with a win that would echo through program history. The path has been marked by transition, challenge, and resilience. Saturday, the Huskies will try to finish their mission, one snap at a time.
If UConn can secure its tenth win, it would not only set a new FBS benchmark but also validate years of rebuilding and adaptation. The program’s ability to navigate roster losses, coaching changes, and a formidable opponent like Army illustrates a resilience that is becoming its new identity. Win or lose, this game stands as a turning point for UConn football—a moment where history is not just witnessed, but made. Sources: WFSB, Daily Campus, CBS Sports, Ct. Courant