Tag: connecticut

Sep 6, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) canít make a catch as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Evan Smith (12) defends him during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Jordan Moore, Duke look to keep making plays vs. UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two basketball heavyweights will square off on the gridiron Saturday evening when UConn visits Duke for a non-conference matchup in Durham, N.C.

This will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the schools’ football teams. The Huskies recorded a 22-20 win in 2004 and a 45-14 victory in 2007 before the Blue Devils responded with a 41-7 decision last season.

Most of the offensive stars for Duke (2-0) have moved on since last year’s matchup, but UConn (1-1) still will have to contend with wide receiver Jordan Moore. He racked up eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown in the 2023 meeting.

Moore has done plenty of damage this season, as well. He totaled seven catches for 112 yards in the Blue Devils’ season-opening win over Elon and then registered 11 grabs for 121 yards and a score in last weekend’s 26-20 double-overtime victory over Northwestern.

The Blue Devils overcame a foot injury to running back Jaquez Moore against the Wildcats, not to mention a litany of mistakes on the field — including an interception, a blocked punt, a muffed punt and a missed field goal.

“That’s just a testament to our culture,” Jordan Moore said. “The game’s not won in the first quarter. It’s won in the fourth or overtime. We keep fighting, we keep giving body blows, and we have faith that every single one of our teammates will make plays.”

The Huskies are feeling better as well after rolling past FCS foe Merrimack 63-17 last weekend. Joe Fagnano threw for five touchdowns and ran for another score for UConn, which led 56-7 at the break.

Fagnano was playing in place of Nick Evers, who suffered a concussion in UConn’s season-opening 50-7 loss to Maryland. Evers was just 6 of 17 for 73 yards in that contest before giving way to Fagnano.

“Joe was very calm, he read out his progressions, he threw the ball with accuracy, he ran the ball well,” Huskies coach Jim Mora Jr. said. “I was very pleased with his performance. … Nick’s situation will be evaluated daily by our medical staff.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Kaden Prather (1) is tackled by Connecticut Huskies defensive backs Malcolm Bell (14) and D'Mon Brinson (3) during the third quarter against the third quarter at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Big 12 commissioner: Expansion talks with UConn on pause

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Big 12 Conference and UConn have ended engagement about the Huskies potentially joining the conference, commissioner Brett Yormark said Thursday.

“As Commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12,” Yormark said, per CBS Sports. “Following detailed discussions with my conference colleagues alongside UConn leadership, we have jointly decided to pause our conversations at this time. We will instead focus our attention and resources to ushering in this new era of college athletics.”

With a recent influx of teams including Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah, the Big 12 is up to 16 member schools.

ESPN reported last month that UConn athletic director David Benedict and board chair Daniel Toscano traveled to Dallas to meet with Big 12 athletic directors and discuss how the school would be willing to invest in its football program to bring it up to par with the conference’s other teams. All other sports reportedly would have been ready to leave the Big East for the Big 12 by 2026 with football to follow.

“Undoubtedly, many of you have followed recent media reports about the Big 12’s renewed interest in UConn as a conference member,” Benedict said as part of a statement issued Thursday. “It is always our objective to put UConn in the very best position for future success, so we did engage in exploratory dialogue with the Big 12. Ultimately, the Big 12 determined that it will pause on conversations about membership expansion.”

That’s great news for the Big East, which, at least for now, will hold on to two of the biggest brands in college sports — UConn men’s basketball and women’s basketball.

Men’s coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies are the reigning back-to-back national champions, while Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn women to 11 national titles.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) delivers a pass during the second quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Billy Edwards Jr. leads Maryland in romp over UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Maryland football has been synonymous with Taulia Tagovailoa for nearly half a decade. In Saturday’s season opener, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. turned the page into a new chapter in style, throwing for a career-best 311 yards and two touchdowns as the host Terrapins defeated Connecticut 50-7 in College Park, Md.

Edwards, a 6-foot-3, 222-pound redshirt junior, had three previous starts, including Maryland’s 31-13 win over Auburn in last year’s Music City Bowl, but the 2024 season marks his best opportunity for extended playing time.

The mobile signal-caller completed 20 of 27 passes and added 39 yards on the ground.

Skyler Bell had five catches for 141 yards for UConn (0-1).

The Terrapins (1-0) wasted little time in taking a 7-0 lead, marching 75 yards in eight plays on the first drive of the game. Edwards capped it off by throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Tai Felton, who finished the day with seven receptions for a career-high 178 yards and two touchdowns.

On the Terps’ next drive, redshirt freshman Nolan Ray quickly made the score 14-0, ripping off a 48-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the season.

After Maryland tacked on two field goals, Terrapins DB Glendon Miller stepped in front of a Nick Evers pass for an interception, setting up Jack Howes’ third field goal to close the first-half scoring with Maryland leading 23-0.

Maryland outgained the Huskies in total yardage 629-310, including 328-103 in the first half.

Roman Hemby, who ran for 66 yards on 14 carries, scored on a 4-yard run to open the third-quarter scoring.

After Evers was knocked out of the game with a shot to the head, backup Joe Fagnano threw for 149 yards in relief, including a 27-yard touchdown to TJ Sheffield with 16 seconds left in the third.

One play later, Felton took a short Edwards pass and broke two tackles, rumbling 75 yards for his second score.

Terps backup Cameron Edge threw a 24-yard touchdown to Josiah McLaurin and DeJuan Williams tacked on a scoring run in the fourth quarter.

UConn defensive backs Jordan Wright and Rante Jones were each ejected for targeting.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

New QBs in focus for Maryland, UConn ahead of Week 1

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With a fresh schedule and a new starting quarterback, Maryland coach Mike Locksley is in the holiday spirit ahead of the team’s season opener on Saturday against UConn in College Park, Md.

“This is like Christmas for me,” Locksley said. “… We’ve gotta play the game to see who we are and start the chess match of making the moves and the adjustments we need to make to … continue to move forward.”

Maryland finished 8-5 last season and won a bowl game for the third straight year, a program record. The Terrapins turn to a new signal-caller to replace Taulia Tagovailoa, who set multiple program records during his four seasons at Maryland before entering this year’s NFL draft.

Billy Edwards, Cam Edge and NC State transfer MJ Morris have competed throughout camp for the starting role. Locksley said he has chosen a starter, but he did not reveal who during his press conference on Tuesday.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that I can win with all three,” Locksley said.

Edwards is the most probable selection. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound redshirt junior has appeared in 15 games for the Terrapins, including three starts, one of which came in Maryland’s 31-13 win over Auburn in last year’s Music City Bowl.

The Huskies’ quarterback situation also was kept under wraps until head coach Jim Mora announced Tuesday that transfer Nick Evers will start on Saturday.

Evers will debut for UConn after serving as a backup during a pair of one-year stints at Oklahoma and Wisconsin. He has attempted just one collegiate pass.

Skyler Bell is among five fellow transfers that Evers could target. Bell played with Evers at Wisconsin last season.

“The kid is legit,” Bell said of Evers. “He’s fast … got a cannon of an arm. Makes the right decisions, and he’s got that swagger that you want in a quarterback.”

Evers also can lean on returning running backs Cam Edwards and Victor Rosa, who combined for 1,168 yards and seven scores on the ground last season.

Saturday’s opener offers a potential signature win for the Huskies, who went 3-9 as an independent last year and have not posted a winning season since 2010.

“I’m anxious to see us go out and compete,” Mora said. “… I want to see us play in the moment.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles (16) reacts after sacking UConn Huskies quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson (6) (not pictured) in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Waters helps No. 18 Duke trounce UConn

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No. 18 Duke’s defense dominated and running back Jordan Waters ran for two touchdowns in a 41-7 victory against host Connecticut on Saturday at East Hartford, Conn

Quarterback Riley Leonard threw for 248 yards on 23-of-34 passing with a touchdown as Duke took control in the second quarter on the way to setting up a showdown with visiting Notre Dame next weekend.

Leonard also scored on a run as the Blue Devils (4-0) won their first four games for the first time since 2018.

Duke’s defense also got into the scoring act, with defensive tackle DeWayne Carter recovering a third-quarter fumble for a touchdown.

UConn (0-4) had 203 yards of total offense, with 108 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Huskies quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson was 13-for-28 for 114 yards in the air, though he ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the waning seconds.

Leonard was Duke’s top rusher with 30 on four carries. Waters has multiple touchdown runs in three games this season.

Victor Rosa gained 68 yards on 14 carries for the Huskies.

The Blue Devils opened a 27-0 halftime lead.

Duke needed to go only 44 yards for its first touchdown, with Waters running in from 1 yard out.

Todd Pelino’s 50-yard field goal began the second quarter scoring. He booted a 40-yarder on the last play of the half, but in between those field goals the Blue Devils tacked on two touchdowns.

Waters ran 10 yards for a touchdown on the first play following a UConn fumble. Leonard’s 3-yard touchdown run capped a nine-play 49-yard drive.

After Carter’s fumble recovery for a touchdown, the Blue Devils stretched the lead to 41-0 with 3:01 left in the third quarter on Leonard’s 22-yard pass to Jordan Moore. Moore ended up with a team-high 86 receiving yards on eight catches.

UConn lost to another Atlantic Coast Conference team at home in last month’s season opener vs. North Carolina State.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) scores a touchdown and celebrates with wide receiver Sahmir Hagans (2) during the second half against Northwestern Wildcats at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

No. 18 Duke takes potent ground game to UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After starting the year with three straight home games, No. 18 Duke will hit the road to face UConn in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday.

Duke (3-0) moved up this week in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll to its highest ranking since 1994. The Blue Devils are coming off a 38-14 home win over Northwestern, a game that saw Duke score five touchdowns on the ground.

Quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jordan Waters each had two scores.

The Blue Devils are tied for the nation’s lead — with Texas State — in average rushing touchdowns per game with four. Duke also has been highly disciplined, averaging just 28.3 yards in penalties per game, which is tied for ninth lowest in FBS.

“I thought we ran the ball well last year too, but I think maybe a little bit more efficiently this year,” second-year Duke coach Mike Elko said. “I think we’ve been able to finish runs explosively a little bit more. I think there’s probably a little bit of extra juice in Jordan (Waters) and Jaquez (Moore) right now when they run the football, and I think that’s been really good to see.

Expectations seemed higher for UConn entering this season after the Huskies went to a bowl game last year, but UConn is 0-3 to start the season after falling at home last Saturday to FIU 24-17. On offense, UConn appeared to have some difficulty blocking the Panthers as it allowed nine tackles for loss.

That could continue to be a problem for the Huskies facing a Duke team that has 17 combined tackles for loss this season against Clemson, Lafayette and Northwestern.

“This is going to be one heck of a challenge,” UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. said. “The team we’re facing is arguably the best team we’ve played since I’ve been here, right on a par with Michigan last year.”

If UConn can’t upset Duke, the Huskies will need to win six of their final eight games to be bowl eligible. The Huskies haven’t appeared in back-to-back bowl games since 2009 and 2010.

“I know this isn’t how you want to start a season,” UConn tight end Justin Joly said. “But the way this team’s mentality is and the way we come back from things is something special.”

After catching 18 passes in 12 games last season, Joly is on track to surpass those numbers by a wide margin. He has 11 receptions this year for 109 yards. While Joly is a talented pass-catcher, UConn is still a team powered by its rushing attack, as Devontae Houston and Victor Rosa have combined for 309 yards on the ground this season.

The Blue Devils will be the second of three ACC opponents the Huskies will see this season — UConn lost to North Carolina State 24-14 in Week 1 and will play at Boston College on Oct. 28.

“I think it obviously jumps off the tape how well (UConn) played against (NC State). So I think it quickly gets your attention,” Elko said. “I think it tells you that they’re a lot better team than maybe the record would indicate.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Rakeim Ashford (16) reacts with linebacker Payton Wilson (11) after intercepting the ball in the fourth quarter in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

NC State S Rakeim Ashford to be discharged from hospital

Posted on | by Field Level Media

North Carolina State safety Rakeim Ashford will be released from a hospital in Hartford, Conn., on Friday and return to Raleigh.

“Great news on Rakeim Ashford,” Wolfpack football posted on social media. “Testing was normal and he will be discharged from Hartford Hospital and travel home later today.

Ashford, a graduate student from Ackerman, Miss., was stretchered off the field late in the third quarter of Thursday night’s season-opening 24-14 win against UConn.

Ashford remained down on the turf after being on the receiving end of a late hit with 1:54 left in the period. He originally wasn’t showing signs of movement when paramedics and team personnel tended to him, but he gave fans a thumbs up as he was taken off the field.

Isiah Davis was flagged for unnecessary roughness. He pushed Ashford toward the sideline, and Ashford’s head seemed to ricochet off the ground.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; N.C.State quarterback Brennan Armstrong answers questions from the media during the ACC 2023 Kickoff at The Westin Charlotte. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Brennan Armstrong takes over as NC State heads to UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Brennan Armstrong will get his first chance to take advantage of a reunion with his old offensive coordinator when NC State faces UConn on Thursday in East Hartford, Conn., in the season opener for both teams.

Armstrong spent the last five seasons at Virginia, where offensive coordinator Robert Anae helped him to the best season of his career in 2021.

But Anae then left for Syracuse, and, after throwing for 4,449 yards with 31 touchdowns against 10 interceptions a season prior, Armstrong experienced a slide in 2022 (2,210 yards, seven TDs, 12 interceptions).

Now Armstrong and Anae are back together, and the duo is looking to do big things with the Wolfpack.

“He causes problems for a defense to look at and scout and whatever personnel we have, puts guys in positions to be successful,” Armstrong said of Anae. “Those two things, most of the time you’re going to have success if you do those two things, right?”

Despite having firepower under center, NC State still will likely lean on its defense, which never let an opponent score more than 30 points last season. The Huskies were one of the many victims to succumb to that unit, posting just 10 points in a 31-point loss on Sept. 24, 2022.

UConn is now looking to avenge that setback, and coach Jim Mora is hoping that fans will show up to the stadium in droves for his team’s meeting with the Wolfpack.

“I want it freaking packed, because that means we’re having success and that means people are excited about the program,” Mora said. “But I just appreciate the people that are there.”

Joseph Fagnano will start at quarterback for the Huskies. He spent the last four seasons at Maine, throwing for 5,655 yards with 46 TDs and 12 interceptions. Fagnano played three seasons under current Huskies’ offensive coordinator Nick Charlton.

Thursday marks the fourth all-time meeting between the teams. NC State is a perfect 3-0 against UConn, which recorded its most wins since 2015 by going 6-7 last season.

The Wolfpack finished the 2022 campaign at 8-5 to record their third consecutive winning season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2022; Conway, South Carolina, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Rasheen Ali (22) looks for some running room in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies in the Myrtle Beach Bowl at Brooks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Marshall tackles UConn 28-14 in Myrtle Beach Bowl

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Freshman quarterback Cam Fancher threw for two touchdowns Monday as Marshall established a 28-0 third-quarter lead and held off UConn 28-14 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, S.C.

Rasheen Ali rushed for 92 yards and a score for the Thundering Herd, which finished with a 9-4 record that included a September win at Notre Dame and a season-ending five-game winning streak.

The Huskies (6-7) got 75 yards and two touchdowns from Victor Rosa on 16 carries, but they couldn’t consistently crack Marshall’s physical defense. Quarterback Zion Turner completed just 9 of 27 passes for 166 yards with three interceptions, including a game-sealer in the end zone by Micah Abraham with 5:09 left in the game that thwarted UConn’s last chance to rally.

Marshall melted the remaining time down with a running game that was its best source of offense. Fancher was 10 of 20 for just 93 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, but the Herd ran for 210 yards.

The Huskies actually outgained the Herd 316-303 but continually hurt themselves with mistakes. They committed four turnovers that led to 14 points and were flagged 10 times for 115 yards.

Marshall initiated scoring just 3:45 into the game, two plays after recovering a fumble on a bad option pitch. Fancher zipped a 9-yard touchdown pass to Corey Gammage on a slant.

The Herd’s defense made it 14-0 at the 3:23 mark of the first quarter when Damion Barber intercepted Turner and raced 34 yards for a touchdown. Fancher upped the cushion to 21-0 with 7:05 left in the half when he found Devin Miller on a 10-yard scoring strike.

Ali capped a 79-yard drive on Marshall’s first possession of the second half, plowing in from the 2 with 9:51 on the clock to increase the lead to 28-0.

At that point, the UConn offense finally displayed some life with consecutive touchdown drives of 75 and 40 yards. Rosa finished them off with runs of 14 and 24 yards, the latter coming on the final play of the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Zion Turner (11) looks to pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Leary throws 4 TDs as NC State blows by UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devin Leary threw four touchdown passes and No. 12 North Carolina State geared up for a showdown by rolling past visiting Connecticut 41-10 on Saturday night at Raleigh, N.C.

The Wolfpack (4-0) finished nonconference play and open their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule next Saturday at unbeaten Clemson.

NC State, which has played three consecutive home games, ironed out wrinkles in its passing attack with Leary completing 32 of 44 passes for 320 yards with one interception in slightly more than three quarters of action. Thayer Thomas made five catches for 115 yards.

Connecticut’s points came on Noe Ruelas’ 28-yard field goal on the last play of the first half and on Victor Rosa’s 11-yard run with 2:08 remaining. At the very least, the Huskies (1-4) avoided a second consecutive shutout.

NC State’s defense held Connecticut to 160 yards of total offense, with 70 of those coming on the late touchdown drive. Starting quarterback Zion Turner of the Huskies threw for 39 yards on 10-for-12 passing.

The outcome was never in doubt, with the Wolfpack scoring on the first snap of the game on Leary’s 75-yard pass play to Thomas.

On the next NC State possession, it took nine plays to cover 62 yards with Demie Sumo-Karngbaye running 20 yards for a touchdown.

In the second quarter, Leary made a 1-yard touchdown toss to Devin Carter and a 2-yard scoring pass to Keyon Lesane. He threw to Porter Rooks for a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

NC State led 31-3 at halftime.

Two of the Wolfpack’s longest possessions in terms of snaps came on 11-play marches for field goals. Christopher Dunn was good from 48 yards late in the first quarter and Collin Smith was used for a 40-yarder early in the fourth quarter. Smith later missed from 47 yards.

Michael Allen rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries for the Wolfpack.

NC State improved to 3-0 all-time against the Huskies, also winning in 2003 and 2012.

–Field Level Media