FIU Panthers vs. UConn Huskies: How To Watch and Preview

Date/Time: Saturday, September 16th, 3:30 PM ET TV: CBS Sports Network - Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Christian Fauria (analyst), Keiana Martin (sideline reporter)

FIU Athletics

Date/Time: Saturday, September 16th, 3:30 PM ET

TV: CBS Sports Network - Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Christian Fauria (analyst), Keiana Martin (sideline reporter)

Radio: Miami's WQBA 1140 AM - AJ Ricketts (play-by-play), Corey Brooks (analyst)

Location: East Hartford, Connecticut - Pratt & Whitney Stadium 

Betting Line: UConn -8.5

All-Time Series Record: UConn leads 1-0 (Huskies won last game, 33-12)

FIU Panthers

As expected, Keyone Jenkins will be the starting quarterback for the third straight week. However, this will be his first on the road. 

"Keyone just needs to keep being himself," said FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre. "Keep learning what they're doing, focus in on that, focus in on what UConn is gonna do to him in the game and then of course, when the game starts, they'll change different things and being able to handle that. It is always a little different going on the road...I think he'll do well with it."

Along with Kris Mitchell, who has been Jenkins' main target through two games, when the offense has needed a big play, it has gone to sophomore Dean Patterson who through the first three games of the season, he already has eight receptions for 159 yards.

In the win against North Texas, Patterson recorded two receptions for 75 yards. The second reception was a thirty-yard completion on a fourth down in the fourth quarter, setting up an FIU touchdown. 

It needs to be mentioned how good this FIU offense was last night.

Total of 223 rushing yards between Kejon Owens, Shomari Lawrence and Keyone Jenkins. Owens had 101 of those 223 rushing yards.

Jenkins ended the night with 291 passing yards and a touchdown.

Kris Mitchell…

— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) September 10, 2023

"Keyone is a great guy, a great quarterback," said Patterson on Tuesday. "He's a playmaker. He's a magician almost in my opinion...Especially when a play breaks down, he's got to scramble. I'm really proud of Keyone and how far he's grown on and off the field and I really hope he continues to thrive in that position."

UConn Huskies

The Huskies have begun the season 0-2 with losses to NC State and Georgia State. 

When the Panthers faced the Huskies in 2022, UConn dominated them to a final score of 33-12.

On Tuesday, UConn head coach Jim Mora announced that starting quarterback Joe Fagnano will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury that will require surgery. 

Big news coming out of UConn here as quarterback Joe Fagnano is out not only for this weeks game, but for the remainder of the season. They will rely on Ta’Quan Roberson. #FIU #PawsUp https://t.co/HcxG6bXBu9

— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) September 12, 2023

Mora told the media that Penn State transfer Ta'Quan Roberson will take over as starting quarterback. Roberson entered Saturday's game and ended the night throwing for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Georgia State.

"They both were quarterbacks (Fagnano and Roberson) that I would call dual-threat quarterbacks," said MacIntyre. "They definitely can throw it well, but they have the ability to run and make plays."

A key returner on offense is the Huskies' 2022 leading rusher Victor Rosa. Against NC State, he ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

In the pass game, receiver Kevens Clercius ended the 2022 season with 24 receptions for 288 yards and one touchdown. This season, Clercius has one reception - an 11-yard touchdown against Georgia State. Delaware transfer & senior Brett Buckman leads the Huskies in receiving yards. He has 11 receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown in two games.