With so many high-profile players opting out of bowl games each season, UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell is seemingly going against the trend as he prepares for Saturday’s Fenway Bowl against Army at Fenway Park in Boston.
The Group of Five All-American wideout seemed to surprise the media when he said he would play in the game.
“If you have been around me and know me, I am a football player, I love to play football,” he told reporters at a press conference. “I came to college before the whole NIL and transfer portal thing and so, I was in college when we weren’t being paid and you were just playing football on scholarship.”
Earlier, UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano announced he wouldn’t play in the bowl to begin working on training for the NFL. Fagnano, who threw for 3,448 yards, 28 touchdowns, and one interception this season, has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 27 in Frisco, Texas.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Bell became the first consensus All-American in UConn history this season.
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Bell was named to the first team of three of the five NCAA-recognized All-America lists to meet the requirements. He was a first-team selection by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, and The Sporting News. In addition, he was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the top FBS receiver. USC’s Makai Lemon won the award, with Bell and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith being the other finalists.
Bell, as he alluded to earlier, has been involved in college football for quite some time.
He began his career at Wisconsin, redshirting his first season in 2021 while appearing in one game and catching a pass for 15 yards. Bell then saw action in 25 games over the next two seasons at Wisconsin, totaling 68 receptions for 740 yards and six touchdowns.
During his first year at UConn in 2024, Bell caught 50 passes for 860 yards and five touchdowns.
He took it up a major notch this season for the 9-3 Huskies, who are taking a four-game winning streak into the Fenway Bowl. In 12 games this season, Bell has 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. His best game came during a 38-19 home win over UAB, recording eight receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
Noah Short Close To A Record For Army
As for Army (6-6), a school official said there are no opt-outs for the bowl game. The Black Knights are coming off a 17-16 loss to Navy on Dec. 13.
Army slotback Noah Short is looking to make history. He needs 100 receiving yards to become the first Army player to have 1,000 career receiving and rushing yards.
Short has 60 career receptions for 900 yards and six touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,133 yards and three touchdowns on 171 career carries.
This season, Short has rushed for 556 yards and one touchdown. He has 25 receptions for 330 yards and one score.
Complicating matters to achieve this milestone is that Army runs the triple option which emphasizes the run. The Black Knights, as of this writing, were fifth nationally in rushing yards per game with 245.5. Army was last in passing offense, averaging 78.6 yards per game.
Unlike UConn, there is no doubt at the quarterback position. Cale Hellums, who entered camp as the third string quarterback, will be guiding the Black Knights’ offense.
This season, Hellums has run for 1,178 yards and 16 touchdowns on 289 carries. He has rushed for an average of 98.2 yards per game. Navy’s Blake Horvath is the only FBS quarterback who has rushed for more yards per game (104.3).
Hellums has completed 40 of 79 passes for 586 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
