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

[storrsroars]

Oh, and we are?

Spoiled and arrogant!

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

Nobody wants to play The Army and deal with 60 minutes of chop blocks with their stupid option game - not that all of a sudden we're "too good" for the bowl or opponent.

Pretty sure it's Army...we aren't playing against "The Army." Everyone knows the game they bring. We may have seen triple option this year, I think.

 

[Hoophound]

I don’t think our placement in Fenway against Army is disrespectful. It shows that like typical Northeasterners, the organizers are shrewd. UConn vs Army is a slam dunk for attendance. We will sell tickets and so will Army. It will be a great bowl game in terms of atmosphere. Unlike many of the others with no one in the seats, Fenway will be mostly full. Just embrace it. We will see what the future holds next season. For this year, let’s just sell tickets and show support. This game does not matter other than to show we support our team. We are trying to get into a P4. That is all.

 

[RSTuthill]

As a former Army officer, I have great respect for the cadets. But this matchup is akin to the Red Sox vs Oakland.

I don't see that at all. They beat UAB by 18 and UConn beat them by 19. They beat Air Force by 3, UConn beat them by 10. Pretty evenly matched. I may have missed what you were trying to say.

 

[UConnJim]

There is a bigger benefit for UConn going to the Fenway Bowl. If UConn goes to the Birmingham Bowl, the payout is ~$700k and the school will probably lose money. The Fenway Bowl hasn't released their payout, but it is rumored the ACC school gets a bigger share than the AAC school. Rumors are the payout to the ACC school could be close to $2 million. If that is the case with the reduced travel expense, UConn will make money on the bowl.

 

[BRS24]

Ok, so we've only watched Navy (hubby's an alum), however since the chop block isn't allowed, Navy has gone away from a true triple option, and mixes in those plays. Not sure what Army does, as we won't see them until next weekend (Beat Army!). I think UConn will be well prepared.

 

[Viet Vet]

I’m not saying it will be David vs Goliath. It will be a no “juice” matchup against, at best, a 7-5 team (6-6 if losing to Navy), from a non P-4 conference.

Meh.

 

[huskymedic]

HUSKIES WILL FACE ARMY AT WASABI FENWAY BOWL - University of Connecticut Athletics

STORRS, CT – The UConn Huskies are back in a bowl game for the second-straight season and will head back to Boston for the fourth annual Wasabi Fenway Bowl o...

uconnhuskies.com

-> "We're honored to accept the invitation to return to the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. Last year's experience was memorable—our victory over North Carolina, combined with our incredible fanbase helping set a Fenway Bowl attendance record, showed what UConn football is all about" stated interim head coach Gordon Sammis. "We're excited to build on that success and create more special memories at historic Fenway Park. Playing at such an iconic venue is a unique opportunity and our players have worked exceptionally hard this season to put themselves in position for a 10th win and what would be a historic season for UConn football. They've earned the chance to return to Boston and compete on this special stage once again." <-

Psst… @Alum86

 

[SU1968]

My biggest concern is that Army should be at fuller strength since I assume no players on Arny would sit the game out. Not so sure about UConn and the players who plan to enter the portal and Bell and Joe.

Army players can't sit out. They are on active duty and are all paid. They will be there unless there are medical or disciplinary reasons to keep them out.

 

[uconnbill]

I think what most people are forgetting is that our entire defense are Seniors with no eligibility left. None are predicted to be draft picks so no reason to think any would sit out. Although they haven't been great, they did slow down a similar style in Air Force just weeks ago. I do know Chadwick and Doumande are in the portal, hopefully Doumande comes back and for Chadwick not sure missing a CB would be a big deal against Army. So overall I think we are in good shape defensevily

Bell is a second-round pick in most draft guides, and Fagnano is a possible 7th round pick

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[NE Football]

Army players can't sit out. They are on active duty and are all paid. They will be there unless there are medical or disciplinary reasons to keep them out.

That brings up a very interesting question; do the Army players actually get paid? I would think that Army opted out of pay for play given their culture.

 

[Dove]

With a new coach coming in, UConn can make a statement by bringing a huge crowd. UConn has to publicize this game to the max. Holiday weekend 2 days after Christmas.

Let's go!!!

 

[NE Football]

It’s rare that a bowl game takes the same team two years in a row. I think this is the best level of bowl games we can hope for being an independent.

 

[BRS24]

Apologies if this has already been posted, but lol

 

[ScottVib]

That brings up a very interesting question; do the Army players actually get paid? I would think that Army opted out of pay for play given their culture.

They (and all cadets) have always been paid as members of the armed forces. They get 35% of the base pay for a second lieutenant, less expenses.

 

[RSTuthill]

I’m not saying it will be David vs Goliath. It will be a no “juice” matchup against, at best, a 7-5 team (6-6 if losing to Navy), from a non P-4 conference.

Meh.

UConn should treat it seriously and get what they came for. Leave nothing on the table. A businesslike 10th win. If some of the stars sit out, they could easily get beaten.

 

[HuskyNan]

They (and all cadets) have always been paid as members of the armed forces. They get 35% of the base pay for a second lieutenant, less expenses.

This must be new. My brother went to the Air Force Academy and was not paid. He wasn’t commissioned until he graduated either

 

[NHUConnfan]

You seem to feel UConn deserves a more prestigious bowl and opponent. Why?

That's not even it. It just feels like going to the same bowl two years in a row (one...mind you...that all of the bowl projections never had us returning to) is a bad thing...for the players, for the fans, for the program.

The Fenway Bowl is easily near the bottom of bowl games I've been to (and I've been twice!) It's a bad product and I think too many folks ignore that fact.

And selfishly, I was looking forward to taking a big trip with my son. A trip down 93 doesn't hit the same. Sorry!

 

[Waquoit]

I'm going to have to do some driving that day. I just realized I have tickets for Men Without Hats that night at Foxwoods.

 

[SU1968]

That brings up a very interesting question; do the Army players actually get paid? I would think that Army opted out of pay for play given their culture.

All cadets receive 35% of a 2nd Lt. pay. about $1400/month. I don't know if football players get any extra.

 

[HuskyNan]

That's not even it. It just feels like going to the same bowl two years in a row (one...mind you...that all of the bowl projections never had us returning to) is a bad thing...for the players, for the fans, for the program.

The Fenway Bowl is easily near the bottom of bowl games I've been to (and I've been twice!) It's a bad product and I think too many folks ignore that fact.

And selfishly, I was looking forward to taking a big trip with my son. A trip down 93 doesn't hit the same. Sorry!

I’m disappointed the Huskies aren’t playing in Florida for selfish reasons but at this point in the team’s growth, Boston vs Army is good for the team. Army and UConn will both bring a lot of fans and make a great bowl atmosphere. Playing in a half empty stadium in Tampa with a Civic Center crowd of, um, mature fans would not be a good experience for the team

 

[coachcap]

Okay, here's the deal: for last year's Bowl I tried to get tix thru UConn for 20 members of my group. I was told to get tix thru the Red Sox. The Sox ticket office accommodated me with a bloc at the goal line at field level.
Because I ordered tix thru the Sox office, I got an e-mail 10 days ago asking if I wanted to renew tix for this year's Bowl game & I got a followup e-mail on Thursday. When I heard the announcement of UConn defending its Wasabi Bowl Championship, I reached out to my crew to see who's in for the game on the 27th.
Still waiting on one couple. Hope to buy tickets on Tuesday at the latest with improved seating over last year... So far the coachcap crew is at 12 & counting...

 

[ScottVib]

This must be new. My brother went to the Air Force Academy and was not paid. He wasn’t commissioned until he graduated either

After expenses there isn't a lot of money left over, I'd assume most football players at P4 schools are making exponentially more than what the academy students have left-over after the deductions for expenses

 

[CL82]

People need to get a grip. This is one of the best paying and prominent bowls a g5 can get into. And the date/ time is more in line with all the important bowls, on the espn flagship for lots of eyes

Army is renowned nationally no matter what, and this years version gives us a good chance at 10 wins and maybe even close to a top 25 finish. We were lucky to get it last year, and yes we are lucky to get it this year. Most years we would be in Myrtle Beach playing Coastal Carolina or Marshall making 500,000 and spending it all on travel and logistics.

What's the payout on the Fenway bowl?