2022 season: 6-7
Head coach: Jim Mora (2nd season)
UConn’s trajectory over the past few years has mirrored Duke. After former head coach Randy Edsall’s abrupt retirement in September 2021, the Huskies fell into a deep slump. Defensive coordinator Lou Spanos coached the final 10 games of the season with only a 10% success rate. Jim Mora was hired in November, ending his tenure at UCLA.
The turnaround was drastic. While they were by no means a playoff team, the Huskies went 6-6 in the regular season under their new head coach. Quarterback Zion Turner played effectively and running backs Victor Rosa and Devontae Houston kept the offense moving. The offense was no powerhouse, only averaging 19.38 points per game, but it was able to get points on the board more often than not.
Perhaps the largest contributor to the improvement on the field was offensive lineman Christian Haynes. The 2022 All-American supported a 191-yard per game rushing attack, and has started every game since 2019. With Maine transfer Joe Fagnano leading the offense under center, UConn can utilize its run game and new signal caller to take its offense to the next level.
On the other side of the ball, seniors Jackson Mitchell and Eric Watts were named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List alongside Haynes. Mitchell, a linebacker, led his squad with 140 tackles last season while Watts, a defensive lineman, led the team in sacks with seven.
Mora and his program will strive to improve upon last season’s success. With a bowl game loss to Marshall in the rearview and a plethora of talent on its sideline, the Huskies are primed to do just that.
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Rachael Kaplan is a Trinity junior and sports managing editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.