New UConn head coach Jason Candle and his team passed their first test in record fashion on Saturday. 

The second test should prove a much bigger challenge. 

The Huskies gained a program-high 671 yards of total offense in their 56-7 defeat of Lafayette at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. The previous high was 638 against Central Connecticut in the season opener in 2025. 

Against the FCS Leopards, the Huskies showed an explosive offense and a stifling defense that looked, for the most part, as if both units had played together for years – not like a team that welcomed a new coaching staff and 87 new players. 

Next Saturday, Big Ten program Maryland will visit East Hartford, the first of three Power Four teams on the schedule this season.  

Here’s what worked for the Huskies and what didn’t. 

Who would start at quarterback was a mystery until Friday night when news emerged that Kalieb Osborne would take the ball. Osborne, who played for Candle at Toledo, got the Huskies out to a 42-0 start before giving way to Tucker McDonald.

Osborne finished his day 19-for-26 passing for 265 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He added 90 yards and two scores on the ground.

McDonald, who backed up starter Joe Fagnano last season, was part of a three-man competition in camp with Osborne and Tennessee transfer Jack Merklinger. He entered in the third quarter and immediately led a five-play, 85-yard scoring drive.

He was 6-of-7 passing on the day for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception. 

Merklinger did not dress for the game. He was on the sideline with a wrap on his right hand, and the UConn radio broadcast team reported he did not practice on Thursday.

The tailgaters were out very early under blue skies and carried the morning enthusiasm into the stadium with them. UConn implored fans to “Pack the Rent,” and they responded, with 31,831 fans on hand. The turnout in the student section was impressive, too, though by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the stands were emptying.

UConn held Lafayette scoreless until the final minute of the game, when the Leopards went 75 yards on eight plays to finally get into the end zone with 44 seconds remaining.

The Leopards gained just 209 net yards on the day, with all but 53 yards coming on two drives – the scoring drive and one that ended in a turnover on downs in the third quarter after 14 plays and 81 yards gained.

Their 13 drives included 11 punts.

UConn could withstand self-inflicted wounds against a team like Lafayette – the sole FCS opponent on the schedule. The Leopards couldn’t take advantage of the Huskies’ miscues, but Maryland and the other FBS teams down the road this season will.

One of the things that made the Huskies so good last year (9-4) was their firm grip on the ball. Fagnano threw just one interception to lead the nation among qualifying quarterbacks, and UConn lost just one fumble.

Against Lafayette, the Huskies equaled those two turnovers, with both Osborne and McDonald throwing a pick.

And Candle and his staff will need to address the penalties. The Huskies racked up 11 for 134 yards. Last season, the Huskies averaged 48.3 yards in penalties per game.