EAST HARTFORD - The Barstool College Football Show turned the Rentschler Field parking lot into a sea of UConn chants, cheers and boos Friday, giving the Huskies a rare turn in the spotlight before facing UMass.
The roughly 40-minute show drew hundreds of fans to watch Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and other colorful personalities from the media company. It featured game predictions, contests, pizza talk and the playful back-and-forth with fans that has become a hallmark of the show.
For fans, the event brought a burst of attention to a program more accustomed to playing second fiddle to its basketball brethren.
"UConn has a big college basketball program, but besides that, football is definitely an afterthought," said John Palot, a UConn senior from Newington. "So I think this is huge for UConn football. I love it."
Mike Scarlett, a 40-year-old HVAC worker from Plainville, said he has been a UConn season-ticket holder since 2001 and described himself as a "stoolie," or dedicated Barstool follower.
"Every game matters, but I think with Barstool being here, it's going to boost this program," he said. "It brings a lot of attention to UConn sports."
Portnoy, who grew up in Swampscott, Mass., said earlier this week he wanted to bring the pregame show to East Hartford to highlight the rich history between the two New England programs, which first met in 1897. The series was tied 38-38-2 heading into Friday's game.
Friday's rubber match had lost some of its luster in the weeks since Portnoy first floated the idea of bringing the show to Rentschler. UMass opened the season 4-0 - including a home sellout, its first since 2014 - but then lost three straight games. The team's star quarterback, William "Pop" Watson III, missed two of the losses with an ankle injury.
Then came a jolt Friday afternoon: Watson would return under center against the Huskies, who were coming off a road win against Temple on Oct. 10.
From a stage set up right outside the stadium, Portnoy was joined by fellow Barstool personalities Big Cat, Brandon Walker and Kayce Smith, who make up the show's regular panel.
The show opened with Portnoy, who has done pizza reviews all across Connecticut, taste-testing homemade slices handed to him by a woman in the front row. He gave them a 7.8.
"Connecticut, they have UConn and they have pizza," Portnoy said to cheers. "It's the best pizza state, not only in the country, it's the best pizza in the world, bar none."
Connecticut has pizza and UConn and I think that's it (but they do have the best pizza in the world) https://t.co/q6Kkqk0DiC
- Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 23, 2026
Portnoy repeatedly teased the crowd, which was made up largely of men. A University of Michigan graduate and sports fan, he ribbed UConn fans over the men's basketball team's loss to the Wolverines in last year's national championship game and called women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma "insufferable."
But Portnoy also praised the Huskies, going out on a limb in saying that the football program could become the next "sleeping giant."
"You have the fan base, you have the facility. You're great at basketball, why not football?" he said.
The panel ended its game predictions by picking a winner in the UConn-UMass matchup. All four chose UConn, including Portnoy, despite the fact he said he hadn't watched a single snap of UConn football this season.
The crew also ranked notable alumni associated with UConn and UMass. Portnoy put Julius "Dr. J" Erving, the NBA legend and UMass great, at the top of his list, followed by UConn's Diana Taurasi. Smith, the show's emcee, put Auriemma in her top spot.
Big Cat included UConn basketball star Braylon Mullins at No. 5.
"How 'bout that shot!" he roared, referring to Mullins' game-winning shot against Duke in last year's NCAA tournament.
Besides the show, the event included a fan fest with football toss games and prizes. The activities were popular with younger fans, some wearing youth football jerseys. Across from the fan fest, a Frank Pepe's pizza truck fittingly served free slices and got a shoutout from Portnoy during the show.
Afterward, fans gave their approval and said they hoped Portnoy would bring the traveling show back to Rentschler.
Vernon resident Billy Maine, 53, called it "the best thing that's happened for UConn football from a fan point of view," saying it brought "exposure" and excitement to the program.
A season-ticket holder since 2001, Maine said the event felt "electrifying" and that it easily surpassed other pre-game events in the program's history. Even his wife, who "doesn't care" about football, was intrigued by Portnoy, he said.
"Whether you like him or dislike him, he's got a lot of energy, he's got a huge following," Maine said.
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This article originally published at Barstool's Dave Portnoy gives UConn football a moment in the spotlight before UMass game.