UConn and Army have both been playing football since the 19th Century, but they are relatively new rivals on the football field, crossing paths nine times as the programs have had their periods of highs and lows.
West Point was a major college football program, producing Heisman Trophy winners and national champions during its glory era, the 1920s through the ’50s. UConn was a regional program in the Yankee Conference, an NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) program for much of its history.
They met once, in 1979, during that bygone era. They have met eight times since 2003, as UConn began transitioning to FBS.
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As they meet again on Saturday in the Fenway Bowl, 2:15 p.m. at Fenway Park in Boston, UConn holds a 5-4 edge.
Here’s a look at UConn’s football history with the Cadets of Army:
Sept. 15, 1979: Army 26, UConn 10:
Long-time NFL coach Lou Saban had resurfaced at Army. Best known for his rants caught on NFL Films (They’re killing me, Whitey, they’re killing me), he debuted with a 26-10 win over UConn at Michie Stadium. The Cadets rolled up 241 rushing yards. Madison’s Ken Sweitzer threw a touchdown pass for the Huskies.
Sept. 6, 2003: UConn 48, Army 21
UConn was beginning to come into its own as a Division I-A (FBS) program, and began a nine-win season with a big win at West Point. Shelton’s Dan Orlovsky, who went on to play in the NFL and star as a TV analyst, completed 26 of 36 for 317 yards and five touchdowns that day. Terry Caulley rushed for 102 yards and two TDs.
Sept. 25, 2004: UConn 40, Army 3
Army came to Rentschler Field for the first time, and Dan O. threw the book at ’em once again. Orlovsky passed for 288 yards and four more touchdowns to get the Huskies rolling to an eight-win season. Cornell Brockington rushed for 11 yards.
Oct. 1, 2005: UConn 47, Army 13
Caulley rushed for 87 yards and two TDs, and Brockington rushed for 27 as the Huskies had a balanced attack. Matt Bonislawski threw for 180 yards and two TDs.
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Oct. 14, 2006: UConn 21, Army 7
With UConn now in the Big East, this would be the last game with Army for a while. The Huskies made it four in a row with a win at Rentschler. This one was fairly even, but Caulley’s 98-yard run and Larry Taylor’s 72-yard punt return gave UConn an early 14-0 lead and the Cadets never caught up.
Nov. 8, 2014: Army 35, UConn 21
The renewal of the series moved to Yankee Stadium, home to site of some of the greatest games in Army football history, notably the famous scoreless tie with Notre Dame in 1946. By now, UConn was in The American Athletic Conference and struggling. Chandler Whitmer threw for 170 yards and two TDs, rushed for 62 and another score, but that was all UConn got this time as the Cadets’ ground attack ruled the day.
Sept. 12, 2015: UConn 22, Army 17
Back to Rentschler, the Huskies got this one as Bryant Shirreffs completed 19 of 25 passes for 270 yards and Ansonia’s Arkeel Newsome rushed for 73 and a TD. Three Bobby Puyol field goals made the difference for the Huskies.
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Sept. 18, 2021: Army 55, UConn 21
The UConn program reached rock bottom in 2021, finishing 1-11, and its return to West Point produced a dismal outcome. The Cadets scored on all six of its first-half possessions to take a 42-0 lead. The bright spot for UConn was true freshman Tyler Phommachanh from Stratford, who debuted in the second half and threw for 109 yards, rushed for 60 and two TDs. Brian Brewton returned a kickoff 96 yards for a TD.
Nov. 19, 2022: Army 34, UConn 17
The Huskies resurgence under Jim Mora was underway, as they clinched bowl eligibility the week before. But they hit a snag at West Point and lost the regular-season finale. Bristol’s Victor Rosa rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown for UConn, but twice the Huskies were stymied at the goal-line and that turned the game Army’s way. Braheam Murphy rushed for 124 yards, including a 75-yard TD run that put the Cadets ahead for good.