Last time UConn and SMU met, an interim head coach was on the sidelines for SMU after June Jones’ early-season departure and Bob Diaco was on the other wrapping up his rookie campaign. UConn only had two wins going into the season-ending contest at Gerald R. Ford Stadium while SMU had none. The Huskies took a 20-6 lead into the halftime break only to give up 21 unanswered in the second half to give the Mustangs their first and only win as Diaco’s first season ended with a disappointing 2-10 record.
The two teams, sitting in opposite divisions in the American Athletic Conference, took a two-year break from playing each other and both have hired new coaches since.