UConn is going Bowling > Wasabi Fenway Bowl v. Army (Saturday 12/27/25 @2:15 on ESPN)

[ShakyTheMohel]

Is there a thread I'm missing? Has the school announced who is or is not getting ready for the game? Have people posted they are not coming on social media? All I've seen are references to Bell and Fagnano not coming, and the only posts from a real person (as opposed to anonymous internet posters) were speculative and not definitive.

I think there has been a lot of confusion on this because there is no head coach and hasn’t been any media availability. Supposedly they start practice on Thursday and we should know more then.

I think a lot of people are assuming anyone who has said they are entering the portal won’t play, but that wasn’t true last year….so who knows.

Also…it was reported on SC that JF and Evers are likely not playing. With McDonald hurt, that leaves the true frosh.

Frustrating period for sure, but I guess we should hear more on Thursday.

 

[psilotic]

Is there a thread I'm missing? Has the school announced who is or is not getting ready for the game? Have people posted they are not coming on social media? All I've seen are references to Bell and Fagnano not coming, and the only posts from a real person (as opposed to anonymous internet posters) were speculative and not definitive.

When this is over and everything is sorted out there should be an award to the post that was the most speculative and landed nowhere near reality. Right now I'm going with "a quarter of the roster" is opting out. look at the depth chart with all the seniors who are out of eligibility and not going to an All-Star game and embracing the reality this is probably the last chance they'll put on the pads. Then there's second stringers and portal guys on the fence who want to make an impression with Candle, a factor which people seem to be overlooking. You don't think Candle is selling the 3 P4s in first 5 games, a 4th later in the year, and that a CFP team is coming here next year?
That said, it would be helpful if UConn got out of the radio silence mode. The only confirmation I saw that Sammis was going to coach was in the TCU release announcing his hiring as OC.

 

[businesslawyer]

I think there has been a lot of confusion on this because there is no head coach and hasn’t been any media availability. Supposedly they start practice on Thursday and we should know more then.

I think a lot of people are assuming anyone who has said they are entering the portal won’t play, but that wasn’t true last year….so who knows.

Also…it was reported on SC that JF and Evers are likely not playing. With McDonald hurt, that leaves the true frosh.

Frustrating period for sure, but I guess we should hear more on Thursday.

I will believe that Evers would pass on a chance to start a game before entering the portal when I see it. Just from his Mom’s social media, he can’t be that stupid. Why wouldn’t he want to let the world see him play.

 

[Alum86]

I will believe that Evers would pass on a chance to start a game before entering the portal when I see it. Just from his Mom’s social media, he can’t be that stupid. Why wouldn’t he want to let the world see him play.

Agree. Stand up family.
And where has it been reported Evers is not playing? Things move fast in today’s media, but hoping Shaky is incorrect.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I will believe that Evers would pass on a chance to start a game before entering the portal when I see it. Just from his Mom’s social media, he can’t be that stupid. Why wouldn’t he want to let the world see him play.

It doesn’t make sense that he would sit it out, especially considering Sammis is still there and Army isn’t exactly a juggernaut on defense.

But that was the opinion of one source…as I said…I guess we find out more on Tuesday. Hopefully.

 

[Brochacho]

I think there has been a lot of confusion on this because there is no head coach and hasn’t been any media availability. Supposedly they start practice on Thursday and we should know more then.

I think a lot of people are assuming anyone who has said they are entering the portal won’t play, but that wasn’t true last year….so who knows.

Also…it was reported on SC that JF and Evers are likely not playing. With McDonald hurt, that leaves the true frosh.

Frustrating period for sure, but I guess we should hear more on Thursday.

The point of SC is to not share the scoops elsewhere. Do better.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

The point of SC is to not share the scoops elsewhere. Do better.

I get what you are saying…but I didn’t really think it was much of a scoop….it was a passing comment that wasn’t presented as fact. I positioned it as one person’s opinion…not “scoop”.

 

[ArtTheFan]

I didn’t see that Farrar indicated that he was going to entered the portal. My guess he will start in the bowl game for us.

Nick is out?? Is he in the portal??

 

[ArtTheFan]

Interesting. I would have like the Gasparilla Bowl but how many Uconn fans would have gone? Hard to say but we did have a pretty good turnout for the Myrtle Beach Bowl 2 years ago for a lessor opponent.

I wish they accepted the Gasparilla Bowl, since it's about 5 miles from my house to Raymond James. I think UConn accept Fenway is because fans would get to it easier and it was after Christmas.

 

[TMB4405]

It doesn’t make sense that he would sit it out, especially considering Sammis is still there and Army isn’t exactly a juggernaut on defense.

But that was the opinion of one source…as I said…I guess we find out more on Tuesday. Hopefully.

Honestly I would rather see the true frosh QB. Highly unlikely Evers is here next year anyway. Lets roll this kid out and get a look. The one play I recall seeing him in game this year was meaningless, yet he had an explosively athletic run that caught my attention.

 

[Blades]

You’re forgetting the fact that the AD and school knew the risks of accepting this bowl game, yet pursued anyways because it’s local and we’d profit off it.
How much money would you pay for a 10th win? The school would rather get paid $1M, willingly know half our best players will opt out, and lose.

Sounds like players are opting out across the country no matter what bowl. Any other narratives or group think is just falling for fake news. When reality it's poaching, agents and amazing promises if they do opt out and head to the portal, that is a big part of it. One way to fix it, might be that Rev sharing and NIL payments for a season means players have to complete a season (including bowl games).

Because it sounds like even a "warmer" bowl (TX in this case, with a team who isn't losing their coach), still won't keep the best players in their bowl games. ......obviously the whole thing is a mess.....and being in a G-6 conference won't help....#ACC/ #Big 12 or bust

 

[RSTuthill]

Sounds like players are opting out across the country no matter what bowl. Any other narratives or group think is just falling for fake news. When reality it's poaching, agents and amazing promises if they do opt out and head to the portal, that is a big part of it. One way to fix it, might be that Rev sharing and NIL payments for a season means players have to complete a season (including bowl games).

Because it sounds like even a "warmer" bowl (TX in this case, with a team who isn't losing their coach), still won't keep the best players in their bowl games. ......obviously the whole thing is a mess.....and being in a G-6 conference won't help....#ACC/ #Big 12 or bust

I feel for that guy

 

[RSTuthill]

I think there has been a lot of confusion on this because there is no head coach and hasn’t been any media availability. Supposedly they start practice on Thursday and we should know more then.

I think a lot of people are assuming anyone who has said they are entering the portal won’t play, but that wasn’t true last year….so who knows.

Also…it was reported on SC that JF and Evers are likely not playing. With McDonald hurt, that leaves the true frosh.

Frustrating period for sure, but I guess we should hear more on Thursday.

I am curious. Does "that true frosh" have a name? Gonna have to go find the roster and learn it. I thought he played more than one snap in that game. No?
[EDIT:] Ksaan Farrar
Let's see what he's got. Opportunity knocks.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Spending an entire day going to Boston only to find the UConn taxi squad on the field taking on Army is not my idea of an equitable exchange of value.

I am curious…does the “UConn taxi squad” have names?

 

[CL82]

I will believe that Evers would pass on a chance to start a game before entering the portal when I see it. Just from his Mom’s social media, he can’t be that stupid. Why wouldn’t he want to let the world see him play.

I hope you're right. Personally, I would love to see him play. When healthy, he's a physically gifted, exciting player. I also think that facing a true dual threat QB creates an interesting wrinkle for army.

 

[CL82]

I am curious…does the “UConn taxi squad” have names?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I have a serious question:

Does the school that had of this board fears is ahead of us in the CR lottery (USF) lose ground due to the outcome of their bowl game or are we the only school that isn't immune to results of a publicized exhibition game played by partial squads?

 

[huskymedic]

Sounds like players are opting out across the country no matter what bowl. Any other narratives or group think is just falling for fake news. When reality it's poaching, agents and amazing promises if they do opt out and head to the portal, that is a big part of it. One way to fix it, might be that Rev sharing and NIL payments for a season means players have to complete a season (including bowl games).

Because it sounds like even a "warmer" bowl (TX in this case, with a team who isn't losing their coach), still won't keep the best players in their bowl games. ......obviously the whole thing is a mess.....and being in a G-6 conference won't help....#ACC/ #Big 12 or bust

Yup… we need to appreciate the past and buckle up for the near future.

 

[businesslawyer]

I have a serious question:

Does the school that had of this board fears is ahead of us in the CR lottery (USF) lose ground due to the outcome of their bowl game or are we the only school that isn't immune to results of a publicized exhibition game played by partial squads?

You're looking for a logical analysis from the Boneyard to an emotional problem (realignment)? It's like you don't know us at all any more.

 

[RSTuthill]

I am curious…does the “UConn taxi squad” have names?

A rhetorical remark using an outdated term. My guess is yes. I have provided one above.

 

[CL82]

I have a serious question:

Does the school that had of this board fears is ahead of us in the CR lottery (USF) lose ground due to the outcome of their bowl game or are we the only school that isn't immune to results of a publicized exhibition game played by partial squads?

"Rule 1" has left a mark in our collective psyche.

 

[Blades]

 

[uconnbill]

You’re forgetting the fact that the AD and school knew the risks of accepting this bowl game, yet pursued anyways because it’s local and we’d profit off it.

How much money would you pay for a 10th win? The school would rather get paid $1M, willingly know half our best players will opt out, and lose.

You go to a bowl game because it brings eyes to the program. That is why you go and being an independent you want to show the world you want to play

 

[Waquoit]

If it's true about the ticket sales, that's pretty impressive.

 

[Chin Diesel]

View attachment 114754

Slow down.