UConn football prepares for new season with team building under Jason Candle

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 8, 2026, 10:40 PM

Last updated Aug 8, 2026

UConn football prepares for new season with team building under Jason Candle

Summary

UConn football, under new head coach Jason Candle, is focusing on team building as the season approaches. With 87 new players integrated into the program, Candle is promoting activities like fishing, bowling, and paintball to foster connections among teammates. Quarterback Jake Merklinger, along with others, emphasized the importance of bonding outside of football for team chemistry. The Huskies are set to hold a fan practice at Rentschler Field next Saturday and open their season at home against Lafayette on Sept. 5.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Jason Candle aims to integrate 87 new players into UConn football.
•Team bonding activities include fishing, bowling, and paintball.
•The Huskies hold a fan practice next Saturday.
•The season opener is scheduled against Lafayette on Sept. 5.

Latest Updates

10:40 PMYahoo Sports — For new coach Jason Candle, team building takes shape as the UConn football season draws near

What they're saying

"
STORRS — Pulling a total of 87 new players into a football program is hard enough. Getting them to become a building full of old friends, as they become new teammates, is the challenge as Jason Candle puts together his first UConn football team. “That’s been my favorite part about being here,” said quarterback Jake Merklinger, transfer from Tennessee. “The team. I love my teammates. We hang ...
— Yahoo Sports

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