Game Week 2025: UConn v. Duke University Blue Devils (Saturday 11/8/25 @3:30p). Game on CBSSN. Audio on UConn Varsity Network & FoxSports 97.9

[ShakyTheMohel]

Someone said that they have no worries about the offense? I think I do. UConn is gonna have to be able to run the ball, if for not other reason than to open up a legitimate P4 pass defense.

Not sure I agree that they need to establish the run. I think they may need to run the offense like it’s a two minute drill…just to keep up with Duke’s offense.

The offense is going to have to stay aggressive and not make mistakes. The defense is going to up lots of points…the offense can’t have empty drives…penalties or turnovers for UConn to have a chance.

I really don’t have much hope for the defense to make many stops…so the pressure is on the offense to be flawless.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Once again at the end makes a note of there only being 2 guys there to ask questions during a week they are playing Duke.

I think playing second fiddle to basketball is one thing, but Mora is starting to get irked at the apathy in other areas it appears.

Payback for the short presser last week?

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Once again at the end makes a note of there only being 2 guys there to ask questions during a week they are playing Duke.

I think playing second fiddle to basketball is one thing, but Mora is starting to get irked at the apathy in other areas it appears.

Actually….it was one of the reporters that brought up the low attendance of reporters. I think Mora started to comment about it being disappointing since it was Duke week…but instead he just thanked the reporters who did attend.

I think he was afraid to put too much emphasis on this one game…but I also think he knows they can make up for a lot of bad overtime losses with a win this week.

 

[huskymedic]

Payback for the short presser last week?

I doubt it… The "horde" is a shell of its former self across the board. Joe Arruda from the Courant was there - not sure where the other person was from. I'm sure WBB playing tonight in Annapolis drew bodies away. Heck if the other person was from Hearst that is pretty much all the print media in CT.

 

[Gburyhusky]

It's always fun and encouraging to monitor the message boards from some of our old friends. For example today on the BC board they are in serious discussions to crowd-fund an airplane to fly over the stadium with a banner protesting the current state of affairs for the entire BC athletic department.

 

[Jetskies]

love you guys... i don't share the hope but will be happy in the (very very) off chance we pull this thing off.
Duke is way better than us, PERIOD.

Doesn't mean they are guaranteed to win, as we've seen in CFB this year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I doubt it… The "horde" is a shell of its former self across the board. Joe Arruda from the Courant was there - not sure where the other person was from. I'm sure WBB playing tonight in Annapolis drew bodies away. Heck if the other person was from Hearst that is pretty much all the print media in CT.

Yeah, if each ownership group of newspapers sends one reporter, there would only need to be one row of chairs.

https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/amid-industry-challenges-3-ct-daily-newspapers-reduce-print-schedules/#:~:text=The%20state%27s%20newspaper%20market%20is,acquisition%20completed%20in%20May%202021.

The state’s newspaper market is dominated by Hearst Connecticut Media Group, which has become its largest news organization through multiple acquisitions. Hearst owns 10 daily newspapers in Connecticut, after purchasing the Journal Inquirer in Manchester (June 2023), the Record-Journal in Meriden (November 2023) and most recently the Republican-American in Waterbury (February 2025).

Hearst Connecticut’s portfolio also includes the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, New Haven Register, The Advocate in Stamford, News-Times in Danbury, The Hour in Norwalk, Greenwich Time and The Middletown Press, along with more than 20 weekly publications and Connecticut Magazine.

The consolidation has left the Nutmeg State with limited independent daily newspaper ownership. The Hartford Courant is owned by hedge fund Alden Global Capital through Tribune Publishing, following a controversial acquisition completed in May 2021.

Among the state’s daily newspapers, The Day in New London remains independent and locally owned by a public trust.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

Among the state’s daily newspapers, The Day in New London remains independent and locally owned by a public trust.

Yeah, and we know who does the reporting on us for The Day. LOL

 

[Nameless]

UConn shocks Duke will be the headline.

We are going to win this game.

Can we make sure Khalid is in attendance? Lol

 

[king conn]

I also could not believe the Hearst papers did not even send one person to a home game that started at noon on Saturday. They actually printed a small write up from the AP. Pathetic.

 

[Tdaley]

Can we make sure Khalid is in attendance? Lol

I never get tired watching the end of this game!!!!

 

[Windham4th]

To paraphrase Allen Iverson "We talking about Papers..."

Newspapers are so irrelevant. The only thing they are good for is fuel for my charcoal chimney.

 

[SwingDog]

We don’t have much of any chance in this game. They have a very good offense and I doubt our D can contain them.

So, beating them will be that much more exciting for me.

This for me is the best take. I would love to feel confident about our defense, but they just haven't given me reason to. On the other hand, if we can put some decent points on the board and our defense is serviceable (i.e. not horrible)- and play a relatively clean game, you never know.

Duke is clearly our biggest test thus far, but I think playing at home with the capability of our offense, we have a puncher's chance.

 

[How Sway?!]

Yeah, and we know who does the reporting on us for The Day. LOL

Probably spent all their budget on the real reporters

 

[UCan3]

This for me is the best take. I would love to feel confident about our defense, but they just haven't given me reason to. On the other hand, if we can put some decent points on the board and our defense is serviceable (i.e. not horrible)- and play a relatively clean game, you never know.

Duke is clearly our biggest test thus far, but I think playing at home with the capability of our offense, we have a puncher's chance.

The defense needs to put some pressure on that quarterback that is for darn sure. If he sits back there like Tom Brady sat back there for a lot of his career lol we're gonna be in for a long day.

 

[Kowalski]

This for me is the best take. I would love to feel confident about our defense, but they just haven't given me reason to. On the other hand, if we can put some decent points on the board and our defense is serviceable (i.e. not horrible)- and play a relatively clean game, you never know.

Duke is clearly our biggest test thus far, but I think playing at home with the capability of our offense, we have a puncher's chance.

Duke’s offense will be a challenge but I also don’t expect them to shut down UConn’s passing offense.

Duke is mid-tier ACC, maybe a top 40 team and rightfully favored by 9. But if UConn can avoid turnovers & force 1 or 2, this is a very winnable home game.

 

[UCan3]

Once again at the end makes a note of there only being 2 guys there to ask questions during a week they are playing Duke.

I think playing second fiddle to basketball is one thing, but Mora is starting to get irked at the apathy in other areas it appears.

If Mora leaves someday, this could be one of the reasons.

If I was a sports reporter that chose not to attend, take a hard look in the mirror. There will be 30K ish there on Sat and you skip this?

Good for Mora for pushing through.

I saw 2 kids do a game analysis on YouTube and they were pro-Duke but the build up they did for game? Exceptional!

Calling it the best QB matchup in Div 1 this weekend and how this would be one of the most watchable games this weekend - why can’t our reporters be more present, positive and bring some excitement to what should be a terrific matchup!

This isn’t on our program but on the media. Do they want to sell more papers/visits to website etc. Put the work in guys, pathetic!

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Chin Diesel]

The defense needs to put some pressure on that quarterback that is for darn sure. If he sits back there like Tom Brady sat back there for a lot of his career lol we're gonna be in for a long day.

Considering UConn is in the top 5 in the country for sacks and in the top 10 for tackles for loss (TFL), pressure won't be an issue.

Mora spoke directly to this in the presser this week. When UConn brings pressure, the players need to make the tackle or else there is a huge play for the opponent. I've mentioned it before, the 3-3-5 doesn't lend itself to layers of defenders containing plays vertically. If any player is out of position or fails to tackle, a big gain is the result.

 

[AllHusky]

Considering UConn is in the top 5 in the country for sacks and in the top 10 for tackles for loss (TFL), pressure won't be an issue.

Mora spoke directly to this in the presser this week. When UConn brings pressure, the players need to make the tackle or else there is a huge play for the opponent. I've mentioned it before, the 3-3-5 doesn't lend itself to layers of defenders containing plays vertically. If any player is out of position or fails to tackle, a big gain is the result.

I watched play after play where Huskies would bring someone and get pressure, but it was all on the outside leaving a donut hole in the middle. Sometimes the youngster from UAB was able to capitalize and run, others he stepped up into it and passed, usually errantly. A better team and QB will capitalize on this.

Is that the result of being out of position as Chin mentioned? I am a Huskies FB fan, but not a FB guy. What is the supposed advantage of the 3-3-5? Don't see it.

 

[jostar1]

The Weather Channel has it as 51 F and 71% chance of rain. There will not be many people in the stands and those of us who are there will be frozen. I like UConn's chances.

The forecast now shows 62 degrees and sunny at 3:00.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Chin Diesel]

The forecast now shows 62 degrees and sunny at 3:00.

Mark Twain was right.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I watched play after play where Huskies would bring someone and get pressure, but it was all on the outside leaving a donut hole in the middle. Sometimes the youngster from UAB was able to capitalize and run, others he stepped up into it and passed, usually errantly. A better team and QB will capitalize on this.

Is that the result of being out of position as Chin mentioned? I am a Huskies FB fan, but not a FB guy. What is the supposed advantage of the 3-3-5? Don't see it.

The 3-3-5 is best when you lack depth at the interior linemen position and have an excess of LB's and DB's. In today's college football world, it's tough for teams like UConn to recruit enough known good interior linemen. More likely they get lucky and a few under the radar kids develop in to good linemen. The idea is it's easier to recruit good athletes at LB and in the backfield, so you play the 3-3-5.

And then it's smoke and mirrors. Put 6-7 players on or near the line but only rush four. Which 4? That's the idea. Don't give the QB a clean look at where pressure is coming from on each play. Problem is if the offense guesses right and executes their blocks, the play becomes a huge advantage for the offense. Or maybe bring 5-6 of those players and hope the pressure gets to the QB before he can find the open player.

There's plenty of info if you Google it. Here's how AI responded to my prompt:

 

[Chin Diesel]

I watched play after play where Huskies would bring someone and get pressure, but it was all on the outside leaving a donut hole in the middle. Sometimes the youngster from UAB was able to capitalize and run, others he stepped up into it and passed, usually errantly. A better team and QB will capitalize on this.

Is that the result of being out of position as Chin mentioned? I am a Huskies FB fan, but not a FB guy. What is the supposed advantage of the 3-3-5? Don't see it.

This seems like a good theory and history of the 3-3-5.

Drawing It Up: Explaining the 3-3-5 defense and what it means for FSU

Florida State’s defense will look very different in 2025

www.tomahawknation.com

 

[TheDude]

The 3-3-5 is best when you lack depth at the interior linemen position and have an excess of LB's and DB's. In today's college football world, it's tough for teams like UConn to recruit enough known good interior linemen. More likely they get lucky and a few under the radar kids develop in to good linemen. The idea is it's easier to recruit good athletes at LB and in the backfield, so you play the 3-3-5.

And then it's smoke and mirrors. Put 6-7 players on or near the line but only rush four. Which 4? That's the idea. Don't give the QB a clean look at where pressure is coming from on each play. Problem is if the offense guesses right and executes their blocks, the play becomes a huge advantage for the offense. Or maybe bring 5-6 of those players and hope the pressure gets to the QB before he can find the open player.

There's plenty of info if you Google it. Here's how AI responded to my prompt:

View attachment 112956

This was great. Thanks I really learned something

 

[Gburyhusky]

The 3-3-5 is best when you lack depth at the interior linemen position and have an excess of LB's and DB's. In today's college football world, it's tough for teams like UConn to recruit enough known good interior linemen. More likely they get lucky and a few under the radar kids develop in to good linemen. The idea is it's easier to recruit good athletes at LB and in the backfield, so you play the 3-3-5.

And then it's smoke and mirrors. Put 6-7 players on or near the line but only rush four. Which 4? That's the idea. Don't give the QB a clean look at where pressure is coming from on each play. Problem is if the offense guesses right and executes their blocks, the play becomes a huge advantage for the offense. Or maybe bring 5-6 of those players and hope the pressure gets to the QB before he can find the open player.

There's plenty of info if you Google it. Here's how AI responded to my prompt:

View attachment 112956

Interesting and insightful take of the 3-3-5, thanks. Perhaps one of the explanations for our defensive issues late in games is that the 3-3-5 relies on deception and confusion in looks to the offense, but these factors become less impactful as the game goes on the offense adjusts?

 

[Chin Diesel]

This was great. Thanks I really learned something

Interesting and insightful take of the 3-3-5, thanks. Perhaps one of the explanations for our defensive issues late in games is that the 3-3-5 relies on deception and confusion in looks to the offense, but these factors become less impactful as the game goes on the offense adjusts?

Thanks. I'm fortunate enough to be able to retain and regurgitate some stuff I read and know to Google the rest.

My personal opinion is football eventually becomes helmet on helmet sport of force. Last year with the game on the line against Temple, it was literally 6 inches between defeat and victory. Deception and schemes are out the door. Same thing once the weather turns foul. And it goes for spread offenses, the ole fun and gun, zone run offenses, etc. They have their purpose, but eventually it seems like games come down to a couple of plays in the trenches, and that's where all the weight lifting and conditioning pays off.

There's a reason almost all of us fans were pissed off at the end of the Ball St game where the pile just kept moving and moving near the goal line.

I'll also add, if the 3-3-5 was an inherently advantageous scheme, more teams would use it. But, IMO, it does have its purpose, and when you have the right players, it is effective enough to keep you in games.

 

[RSTuthill]

The 3-3-5 is best when you lack depth at the interior linemen position and have an excess of LB's and DB's. In today's college football world, it's tough for teams like UConn to recruit enough known good interior linemen. More likely they get lucky and a few under the radar kids develop in to good linemen. The idea is it's easier to recruit good athletes at LB and in the backfield, so you play the 3-3-5.

And then it's smoke and mirrors. Put 6-7 players on or near the line but only rush four. Which 4? That's the idea. Don't give the QB a clean look at where pressure is coming from on each play. Problem is if the offense guesses right and executes their blocks, the play becomes a huge advantage for the offense. Or maybe bring 5-6 of those players and hope the pressure gets to the QB before he can find the open player.

There's plenty of info if you Google it. Here's how AI responded to my prompt:

View attachment 112956

I have noticed that almost all the P4 games I have seen on TV, in passing by the channel in question, have gone to the 3 man front.

 

[TheDude]

I have noticed that almost all the P4 games I have seen on TV, in passing by the channel in question, have gone to the 3 man front.

I guess that's why Burton last year and
Smiley this year are at the edge at 250 lbs. They can drop back in coverage as big line backers or rush like a blitzing line backer . I get it and it makes sense.