UCONN’s Jim Mora calls FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins ‘a problem’ ahead of matchup

Brian Schaible

UCONN’s Jim Mora calls FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins ‘a problem’ ahead of matchup image

Calling last week’s result a “character win” and “gut test,” UConn head coach Jim Mora said the Huskies now brace for a dangerous FIU squad at home.

“They’re big and physical up front on both sides of the ball,” Mora said. “They’ve got an excellent running back. They’ve got a quarterback who’s got mobility that we’ve played against before. Defensively, they play a lot of tight man coverage. They’ve been very solid on special teams.”

That quarterback is junior Keyone Jenkins, who Mora said poses a unique threat. “Guys like that are a problem and he’s a problem. We faced him before and now it’s two years later, he’s a much better player now than he ever was then.”

Mora praised his team’s resilience in last weekend’s win but emphasized the need to clean up details. “Everyone was realistic about the things that we need to do better and has decided to double down on things,” he said.

Defensively, he sees improvement. “We gave up 17 points and in college football these days, that’s not bad. Of course, we want to be better…but I do see progress.”

The Huskies also played a nearly flawless game in discipline. “I don’t know that I’ve ever coached in a game where the team I was associated with didn’t have any penalties,” Mora said. “That shows some discipline.”

As the program hosts its annual Crucial Catch cancer awareness game, Mora talked about how cancer has impacted his team and family. “Our players will wear a ribbon on their helmet. My mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor. It really means something.”

Kickoff against FIU and Jenkins is set for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

More College Football News: 

Brian Schaible

Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.