UConn, UMass set to face off as Barstool Sports adds to game day buzz

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB/WGGB/WSHM) - Setup has been underway for Friday night’s football game between UConn and UMass.

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. from Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

CBS Sports Network has the broadcast.

UConn sits at 3-3 on the season. The home team has a record against UMass of winning the past three matchups.

UMass Minutemen head coach Joe Harasymiak said, with the flagship universities of Massachusetts and Connecticut facing off, the game is sure to be a great showing of New England football.

“And got a great opportunity, you know, going down. Play a really, really good UConn team and Friday night and all the things that surround that,” Harasymiak explained. “Great for New England, great for the area, so we’ll have to play very, very well to put ourselves in the position to go win the game, so I’m excited about that.”

Barstool Sports is also at Rentschler Field, adding to the excitement students are feeling ahead of the game.

“It’s crazy. I see those guys on my Instagram all the time. It’s like, I never expected them to come to UCONN. You’ve got the bigger schools, like the SEC schools, but like, UCONN? It’s like crazy,” said UMass senior Randy Mirander

Garrison Nanke, a UConn freshman, said Barstool Sports’ presence is significant for the school.

“I feel like Barstool representing UConn is also a big step. Usually, they do like big schools like Alabama, stuff like that. But I feel like representing UConn can really bring UConn to light. Just like the basketball team does,” Nanke said.

Lucas Amatore, a UConn junior, said the recognition is notable.

“A big, iconic thing like Barstool coming here is always electric. No matter where the location is. But yeah, it’s cool to see the recognition that UConn has,” Amatore said.

The Barstool Sports stage was already up and running as of Friday morning.

Traffic is expected to increase as game time approaches. For real-time traffic updates, check out our traffic map here.