UConn, Army look forward to ‘special’ game in Fenway Bowl

For Dover native and UConn tight finish Louis Hansen, working onto the sector at Fenway Park final December felt like a full-circle second years within the making.

Hansen, a former St. Sebastian’s standout, estimates that he attended near 100 Purple Sox video games as a child. Searching into the stands and seeing a sea of supporters reminded him how far he’s come.

Now, with the Huskies (9-3) back in the Fenway Bowl as soon as once more this Saturday at 2:15 p.m. towards Military (6-6), Hansen will look to shut out his collegiate profession in fashion.

“It’s actually particular,” Hansen stated. “Not lots of people get to play soccer at Fenway Park, and I’m going to have the ability to say I did it twice.”

The 6-foot-5-inch, 240-pound senior (20 catches, 194 yards) stated he’ll have near 100 family and friends in attendance. Final yr, lots of them sat in a set; this time, they’ll be out within the stands braving no matter climate comes their means.

He didn’t anticipate to have Spherical 2, however he’s grateful for the chance and desperate to cap a memorable run with the primary 10-win season in program historical past.

“I used to be fairly shocked. I used to be pleasantly shocked,” Hansen stated. “I’m all the time comfortable to come back again and play in Boston.”

UConn offensive lineman Ty Chan, a Lowell native and Lawrence Academy product, referred to as it a “nice blessing” for the Huskies to play in his house state for the second time this season.

Chan acknowledged that he felt for the non-locals on the group who simply performed there final yr and gained’t get a style of one thing solely new.

On the similar time, he is aware of all of them loved it, and he’s desperate to carve out a lifelong reminiscence himself after transferring from Notre Dame final offseason.

“Being a part of a bunch that has already been there, it’s a bit irritating, you recognize?” Chan stated. “However nonetheless, having a chance to play after the season, when most individuals are accomplished, is a good honor.”

Large-game Baker

The sport can even be a homecoming for Military defensive lineman and particular groups contributor Grayson Baker.

Baker, a 6-foot-7-inch, 275-pound sophomore from Worcester, targeted totally on basketball as a child and didn’t begin aggressive soccer till eighth grade. He then performed at Wachusett Regional Excessive College in Holden and realized he had extra of a knack for the game than he thought.

Baker all the time admired the work his father, Ross Baker, did as a state trooper. He determined he wished to do one thing related, whether or not it was grow to be a police officer himself or be a part of the navy.

“Rising up round him, and having him as a task mannequin, it cast me into the person I’m as we speak,” Baker stated. “I’ve been tremendous blessed to have him.”

Baker knew the service academies had been very troublesome to get into academically, so he elected to make use of soccer as a platform to reside out his dream.

He continued to develop and sharpen his expertise as a junior and senior at Wachusett and finally earned a spot at West Level. Baker admits there’s been a studying curve, each academically and on the sector, however he’s maximized the expertise thus far and is grateful for the bonds he’s fashioned.

“The weeks go by fast, however the days are lengthy,” Baker stated. “I wouldn’t commerce it for something. The fellows listed here are what make it nice. I really like my teammates. I really like the brotherhood. I actually wouldn’t wish to be wherever else.”

He’ll get an opportunity to reunite with former Wachusett teammate Tucker McDonald, now the backup quarterback at UConn.

Fellow Military defensive lineman Jack Bousum credited Baker for being open to criticism.

“He’s tremendous keen to be taught,” Bousum stated. “I’m attempting to assist him in each means I can. So have the opposite upperclassmen. I feel it’s working nice, and he’s soaking all of it in.”

Military coach Jeff Monken praised Baker for altering his physique and successfully transitioning from tight finish to defensive position.

He stated Baker will seemingly get some motion towards UConn, and he’s certain he’ll be thrilled to play in his house state.

“His power has improved tremendously, and he’s a superb athlete,” Monken stated. “I’m anxious to look at him over the following couple years.”

Barely completely different look

Baker, Bousum, and the remainder of a formidable defensive position will face a stiff problem towards a potent UConn offense averaging 36.9 factors and 460.1 yards per sport.

However, quarterback Joe Fagnano (3,448 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 1 interception) has opted out as he prepares for the NFL Draft. Working again Cam Edwards (1,132 speeding yards, 14 TDs), and first-team All-American large receiver Skyler Bell (101 catches, 1,278 yards, 13 TDs), nonetheless, are anticipated to play.

Nick Evers seems to be the more than likely alternative for Fagnano, nevertheless it’s doable McDonald could get the nod. Whereas the offense could not have fairly the identical firepower with out its star quarterback, the Huskies made it clear the usual doesn’t change.

“Having so many various weapons on any given day that may beat you makes us a really arduous group to organize for,” Hansen stated.

Preventing again

Military is coming off a heartbreaking, 17-16, loss to Navy two weeks prior. The Black Knights led, 16-7, earlier than surrendering 10 factors and watching a winnable sport slip away.

Whereas they acknowledged it’s unattainable to thoroughly erase that sport from their psychological archives, they’re grateful for the possibility to bounce again and end on a excessive word.

“That’s one thing we actually satisfaction ourselves on is having the ability to rebound,” stated Military kicker Dawson Jones.

Monken stated that whereas they’re dissatisfied with the end result, and there’s no sport they wish to win greater than the Navy one, one other alternative awaits.

“Hopefully there’s sufficient struggle in these guys, and I feel there’s, that they’ll prepare for the following one,” Monken stated.