FACTS & STATS: Site: Rutgers Stadium (41,500) -- Piscataway, New Jersey. Television:ESPNU. Home Record: UConn 3-0, Rutgers 1-2. Away Record: UConn 2-1, Rutgers 0-3. Neutral Record: UConn 0-0, Rutgers 0-0. Conference Record: UConn 1-0, Rutgers 0-2. Series Record: Rutgers leads, 18-9.

GAME NOTES: A set of programs in the midst of vastly different campaigns collide in Piscataway this weekend, as they Connecticut Huskies clash with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Big East play. The Huskies have enjoyed a fine start to the season, having won all but one of their first six outings. The program, unfortunately, is coming of its first loss, a 38-12 setback at North Carolina on October 4th. It was the second contest of a current three-game road trip for UConn, which was knocked out of the Top 25 following the loss. The Huskies though, are undefeated in Big East play thus far, winning their lone bout over Louisville (26-21) in dramatic fashion. As for Rutgers, it couldn't have envisioned a worse start, winning just one of its first six outings. The lone win came over Morgan State (38-0), while the team's five losses have all come versus FBS programs. Last weekend, the Knights came close to finding their way into the win column, but didn't quite have enough in a 13-10 setback to Cincinnati. It was the second straight narrow defeat in league play, as Rutgers was downed by West Virginia 24-17 the prior week. The Knights lead the all-time series with UConn by an 18-9 count, but the Huskies claimed a 38-19 victory in last season's encounter.

The Huskies are scoring 26.8 ppg this season primarily because of their ground attack, which has amassed 240.5 ypg and 17 touchdowns. Tailback Donald Brown has enjoyed a fast start to the season and he ranks among the top players in the nation with 1,067 yards and 12 scores on the ground. He has also provided the squad with a safe outlet out of the backfield, snaring a team-best 14 passes. In the team's last outing, Brown was the lone bright spot for UConn, rushing for 161 yards and a touchdown in a 38-12 setback to UNC. Quarterback Zach Frazer, starting in place of the injured Tyler Lorenzen, had some struggles in the loss, completing just 24-of-44 tosses for 210 yards and three interceptions. Lorenzen, the team's starter, broke his right foot the prior week versus Louisville and is expected to miss extensive time, so Frazer will now lead this team. With opposing defenses focusing on the Huskies' ground attack, Frazer is going to need to avoid mistakes and make big plays in order for UConn to continue its success.

Defensively, UConn has been sound this year and comes into this weekend allowing only 18.2 ppg and 305.8 total ypg. The unit has fared well versus the run (129.2 ypg) as well as the pass (176.7 ypg) and has notched nine interceptions and 17 sacks thus far. In the club's prior contest, the Huskies did well in holding UNC to just 263 total yards, although they did allow a season-high 38 points. That lofty total, though, is a bit deceiving, as UNC scored a defensive and special teams touchdown and also benefited from several turnovers by the UConn offense. The Huskies forced a turnover and limited UNC to only 13 first downs, but the effort went to waste. Cody Brown logged one of the team's two sacks in the loss and he also had a forced fumble. For the year, Brown heads the team with five sacks and six TFLs.

The Knights have really struggled on offense this season, as they are producing just 17.5 ppg and 318.3 total ypg. The unit has had more success through the air (205.2 ypg) than on the ground (113.2 ypg), but has passed for just four touchdowns against nine picks. Last weekend, Rutgers managed only 254 total yards, including a mere 62 rushing, in a 13-10 loss to Cincinnati. Quarterback Mike Teel continued to struggle, as he threw for 175 yards and no touchdowns on 19-of-35 tosses. Big things were expected from Teel this season, but he has responded well, throwing just three touchdowns versus seven interceptions. Kenny Britt though, has been effective despite Teel's struggles and he leads the team with 37 catches for 464 yards. Kordell Young is another player worth noting, as the talented back returned from injury to rush for 78 yards on 22 carries last weekend. He also threw a touchdown pass after missing the last four games with a knee injury. In his only other appearance this year, Young rushed for 92 yards and a score in the opener, proving he can be a valuable asset to this stale offense.

Despite forcing a measly four turnovers this season, Rutgers' defense has been rather effective, holding foes to 21.3 ppg and 323.2 total ypg. The defense has been vulnerable to the run (156.6 ypg), while limiting opposing pass attacks to 166.7 ypg. Last weekend, however, it was the complete opposite, as Rutgers gave up 239 yards through the air and only 97 on the ground in a loss to Cincinnati. The defense was stingy all game long and gave Rutgers a chance to win by holding Cincinnati to an 0-of-11 showing on third down attempts. The Knights even recorded four sacks after posting just six in the prior five games combined. Once again though, the defense failed to come up with a turnover and that has really hurt this team. Kevin Malast posted six tackles last game and he leads the squad with 46 stops for the year.

UConn has clearly had more success this year, but its uncertainty at the quarterback position gives Rutgers a shot this weekend. The Knights, as a matter of fact, are due for a win and with a solid effort by the defense and some big plays by the offense they should be able to get the job done at home.