On the surface, UConn's regular season finale on Saturday appears to be meaningless game.

The Huskies lost any shot at qualifying for a bowl game weeks ago. At 3-8 overall, they can't finish with a winning record. They haven't scored a touchdown since before Halloween.

The American Athletic Conference game will feature two teams in last place in their respective division. Tulane (3-8, 0-7), a team as about offensively inept as UConn, visits Rentschler Field in East Hartford (4 p.m., ESPNews).

Just don't try to convince UConn's 18 seniors there's nothing at stake. The Huskies can end their careers on a positive note and stop a losing streak at five games with a win.

"It's going to be an emotional day and we obviously want to go out strong and leave with a win," senior wide receiver Noel Thomas said.

Fifth-year senior safety Obi Melifonwu added about playing his last game: "It's kind of surreal. ... I've been here for five years. It's definitely flown by. I'm definitely excited and ready for my last game."

Melifonwu and Thomas are two of 10 starters appearing in their final game. Others are: tackle Mikal Myers, linebacker Matt Walsh and cornerback Jhavon Williams on defense, left guard Richard Levy and right tackle Andreas Knappe on offense and punt returner Brian Lemelle, punter Justin Wain and placekicker Bobby Puyol on special teams.

The seniors' contribution to the program can't be measured by wins and losses.

"They've been great leaders," coach Bob Diaco said. "They've been great ambassadors for the program and will continue to be. Some will go on to have great success continuing to play, I'm sure. And some will not. But their care for the program has been really, really incredible."

The seniors helped restore respectability back to the program, helping the Huskies earn a bowl bid last season for the first time since 2010. But just about everything has gone wrong this season.

Still, Melifonwu believes the program is better off now than before Diaco arrived in 2014.

"When I first came here, I feel like there wasn't really a culture," Melifonwu said. "There really wasn't a brotherhood. When coach Diaco came in, a lot of people didn't know what to expect and a lot of people didn't buy in. But as the years have gone on, a lot of people have bought in. He just makes everybody a better player, a better student, just a better person in the community. The culture has definitely grown.

"I personally believe in his philosophy. Obviously, things aren't going great right now. But like I said before, in order to have success, you have to have adversity and I think that's what we're going through right now."

There could be a football life after UConn for some Huskies, including Melifonwu and Thomas, two pro prospects.

The physically-gifted Melifonwu, who leads the team in interceptions (four) and tackles (94), was invited to play in the 2017 Reese's Senior Bowl on Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala.

"It's definitely a blessing," Melifonwu said. "I'm definitely humbled. I wasn't expecting to get it. When I heard the news, I was really excited. I called my family and called my friends back home. I got a lot of congratulations. It's definitely a big milestone."

Thomas, who's from Norwalk, will leave as one of the top receivers in UConn football history. In last week's loss at Boston College, he set the school's single season reception record. He has 91 catches for 1,119 yards, which is the sixth best total at UConn.

"He's one of the hardest workers every day, day in and day out," Diaco said.

There are numerous other senior success stories.

Defensive reserves Sean Marinan, a Xavier graduate, and Hand graduate Nick Vitale both rose from the walk-on ranks to become contributors. They've represented the state well.

"They bleed blue," Diaco said. "They're just super excited about giving everything they have to the team."

Diaco also raved about Walsh's contribution to the program. Walsh, who also attended Hand, is a team captain along with Myers, Knappe and Bryant Shirreffs.

"The transformation of Matt Walsh has been spectacular," Diaco said. "He's going to be a great success. I love being on the team with him. He's tough, rugged guy who tries hard. ... He's very professional in his approach, he's smart and he's got a great way with his teammates."

If saluting the UConn seniors isn't a good enough reason to watch Saturday's game, then fans can always come out to see if the Huskies finally score a touchdown. They've been outscored 92-3 in the last three games.

Tulane also has had a miserable season, dropping six straight games.

g.keefe@theday.com