University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Close Out Spring Practice at The Rent
4/11/2026 6:19:00 PM | Football
EAST HARTFORD, CT – The UConn football put a wrap on their 2026 spring workouts on Saturday afternoon with a spring game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
Head Coach Jason Candle met the media after Saturday's game and was appreciative of the chance to have his team on their home field for the first time under his direction. "I mean obviously I'm really proud of our team to get to a point in time where we could have a great weather day and in an unbelievable environment, stadium atmosphere. So our first time being in there, my first time being in there for a gameday atmosphere, bringing the Spring Game back, letting the fans see our kids work, and that was one of 15. That's a small snapshot of what 15 practicers were, and I think that we've improved steadily from the beginning of spring ball, but I'm not naive enough to think that we're a finished product.
"We've got a lot of work to do here, we got four and a half, five more months here. We got to get moving and get going and steadily improve if we want to be where we want to be this fall."
The Huskies, who welcomed 65 new players to the roster this spring, used their final practice of the spring to run through plenty of situational football while have the offense and defense match-up in several segments as well. Most of all, it was a chance to get everyone acclimated to The Rent and a UConn gameday experience.
"We're putting guys in specific spots to see how they're going to act, move, and what they're going to see compared to just going out, putting the ball down and playing. You want to get as many reps for as many guys as possible, so there were some situational things there, we did some kicking things where we back the punt up. One thing is being out in the elements, we've been indoors for really all of spring until today, so to get out in the wind, be in front of the crowd, and hear the band playing, all the things that a gameday would bring, it is a lot of different learning for guys."
Tight end Matt Ragan met with the media after the game and talked about how a team with so many new faces is coming together. "I mean, we have 60 new guys, and I think starting with winter workouts to early spring, it's about figuring out and seeing what everyone can do. We're all learning a new offense. We've got guys from Toledo coming in that know it a little bit. I think it's kind of just starting with the basic stuff and seeing what we can handle and what guys can do and finding the guys' strengths and weaknesses.
"The coaches did an excellent job getting us all ready and putting guys in different spots," stated Ragan. "I'm excited for summer and into camp and seeing what we got."
Saftey Braedyn Moore talked about what it was like to play at home today. "It's always good to actually get on the game field and just compete against each other. ?And it was big for the guys that are new, just getting that game feeling out at the Rent. And I think everybody enjoyed it."
Moore also talked about what's got him excited to be part of new defensive coordinator Ryan Manalac's defense scheme. "I love the defense. I love my teammates. We have some great depth. I feel like we get a good rotation in between the safety room and even linebackers and down. We all could play and I feel like it would be a really good rotation and a lot of bodies out there on the field this year."
The 2026 season kicks off a new era under head coach Jason Candle, as the Huskies open their campaign on Saturday, September 5 hosting the Lafayette Leopards in the first of seven home games at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Season tickets for the 7-game home schedule are on sale now at UConnHuskies.com/Football.
