UMass-UConn to renew rivalry, now as FBS programs

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Massachusetts and Connecticut are set to take their old football rivalry to a new level.

UMass is making the jump from the Championship Subdivision to the Mid-American Conference and Thursday's game at Rentschler Field will be the first between Bowl Subdivision teams from New England since the Huskies visited Boston College in 2004.

UMass and UConn have played 71 times since 1897, but their last meeting was in 1999, before the Huskies made their jump to Division I. UMass won that game 62-20 and leads the overall series 36-33-2.

The Huskies come into this game as clear favorites. The Minutemen are expected to experience a few growing pains in their first FBS year, coming off a 5-6 season in 2011.

UConn was 5-7 last year, but returns 16 seniors to this year's team, including seven who will start on defense.

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