TWT SPORTS DESK|TNES- COLLEGE FOOTBALL|Sept 4, 2026 7:04pm

Three New England teams chase 2-0 starts while UConn, Boston College and Sacred Heart finally kick off

Connecticut- The first full Saturday of the college football season is here, and Week 1 brings plenty of questions across New England.

Three programs already have a win in the books. Three more — including UConn, Boston College and Sacred Heart — are preparing for their season openers. And for Holy Cross and Stonehill, Saturday is an opportunity to erase the sting of Week 0 and avoid an 0-2 start.

Can Maine make it 2-0?

Maine enters Saturday at 1-0 after opening the season with a 21-18 road victory at Towson on Aug. 27.

The Black Bears now face an entirely different challenge: a trip to Appalachian State.

Maine went 6-6 last season, its best record under head coach Jordan Stevens, and will look to carry the momentum from its opening-night victory into one of its toughest early-season tests. The Black Bears are also 2-0 all-time against Appalachian State.

A win would put Maine at 2-0 and give the Black Bears an early statement victory before returning home next week to host Merrimack.

Rhode Island looks to keep rolling

Rhode Island opened its season in impressive fashion, overwhelming Merrimack 34-7 on Aug. 28.

The Rams’ defense dominated the second half, forcing four turnovers and holding Merrimack scoreless over the final 50 minutes. Rhode Island also improved to 7-0 in season openers against FCS opponents under head coach Jim Fleming.

Now comes a major test.

Rhode Island travels to Temple on Saturday afternoon, giving the Rams their first chance to test themselves against an FBS opponent. A victory would send one of New England’s top FCS programs to 2-0 and provide an early boost to a team coming off consecutive FCS playoff appearances.

New Haven gets its first shot at 2-0

New Haven already has one of the most dramatic wins of the young season.

The Chargers edged Marist 22-21 on Aug. 28 in the 77 Classic, rallying for the victory behind two touchdown passes from AJ Duffy and a defense that limited Marist to 160 total yards.

THE NEW ENGLAND SATURDAY: GAME OF THE WEEK- Stonehill at Univ of New Haven

Now New Haven hosts Stonehill in an all-New England matchup.

The Chargers enter at 1-0, while Stonehill is trying to bounce back from a 24-6 loss to Bryant in its opener. Saturday’s game at Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium gives New Haven an opportunity to start 2-0 while Stonehill attempts to even its record.

Holy Cross tries to avoid an 0-2 start

Holy Cross opened the season against Lehigh and fell 35-10 at Fitton Field.

The Crusaders were down 21-0 after the first quarter before battling back, but the deficit proved too much to overcome. Junior receiver Myles Abernathy made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut with nine receptions for 129 yards.

Now Holy Cross heads to Colgate looking for its first victory of the season.

For a team that opened against a ranked opponent, Saturday represents a chance to reset before the early-season record becomes a larger story.

Stonehill faces a regional test

Stonehill’s opener ended with a 24-6 loss to Bryant.

The Skyhawks managed only two field goals and were held scoreless in the third quarter before Bryant pulled away in the fourth. Now they get an immediate opportunity to respond against New Haven.

It’s also one of the most significant regional games of the weekend: two New England programs, both looking to establish themselves early.

UConn finally takes the field

After months of offseason questions, the Jason Candle era officially begins Saturday at Rentschler Field.

UConn hosts Lafayette at noon in a season opener that carries plenty of intrigue. The Huskies are coming off a 9-4 season but have undergone massive roster turnover, losing key pieces at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

The biggest unanswered question entering Saturday is at quarterback, where Jake Merklinger, Kalieb Osborne and Tucker McDonald have been competing for the starting job.

Lafayette is no ordinary FCS opponent. The Leopards return 10 starters from an 8-4 team and have been ranked in the FCS Top 25 during each of the past three seasons.

For UConn, the first game of the Candle era is about much more than a season opener. It is the first look at what this completely rebuilt roster can become.

THE NEW ENGLAND SATURDAY: GAMES TO WATCH- Week 1

Boston College begins the Bill O’Brien era of Year 3

Boston College also begins its season Saturday, traveling to Cincinnati for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

The Eagles are coming off a 2-10 season and have responded with another major roster overhaul, bringing in 26 transfers and 25 freshmen.

Mason McKenzie, a transfer from Division II Saginaw Valley State, will make his first start at quarterback for Boston College. The Eagles also enter the season with a new defensive coordinator in Nate Woody.

The Cincinnati game is an immediate measuring stick. Boston College gets a Big 12 opponent on the road and a chance to show whether last year’s struggles are behind them.

Sacred Heart begins a new chapter

Sacred Heart’s season opener is significant for another reason: the Pioneers officially begin their first season as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association.

The 2025 season ended with an 8-4 record and a second consecutive conference championship. Now Sacred Heart opens its new era on the road at Monmouth in a conference game.

The Pioneers finished sixth nationally in rushing offense last season at 217 yards per game and will immediately face a Monmouth program that has won 13 of the previous 19 meetings between the schools.

It’s a new conference, a new season and a chance to establish the Pioneers in one of the country’s deepest FCS leagues.

The New England Saturday: What We’re Watching

Eight games involving New England Division I programs headline the weekend.

The questions are simple:

Can Maine and Rhode Island knock off FBS opponents?

Can New Haven make it 2-0?

Can Holy Cross and Stone-hill avoid 0-2?

What will UConn look like under Jason Candle?

Can Boston College show immediate progress?

And how will Sacred Heart handle its first CAA game?

The answers begin Saturday.

From the first kickoff to the final whistle, this is The New England Saturday.