Tag: UConn Huskies

Sep 14, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Nick Evers (3) prepares to throw the football during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

UConn ready to settle in at home vs. Florida Atlantic

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UConn looks to set the tone at home Saturday night when it welcomes Florida Atlantic to begin a string of six straight games at East Hartford, Conn.

The Huskies (1-2) breezed to a 63-17 romp over visiting Merrimack on Sept. 7 and put a scare into host Duke last Saturday before dropping a 26-21 decision.

Cam Edwards rushed for 106 yards against the Blue Devils and found the end zone for the third time in two games. He leads UConn in carries (32), rushing yards (153) and rushing touchdowns (two) on the season.

The Huskies rushed for 179 yards on 4.8 yards per carry versus Duke. Two turnovers and a missed field goal, however, led to UConn’s undoing as it was unable to hold onto a 21-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“It’s not good enough. We have to win those games. That’s the step we have to take,” Huskies coach Jim Mora said.

UConn, which fell to 0-2 on the road, does not play its next game away from home until Nov. 9 against UAB.

FAU (1-2) avoided its first 0-3 start since 2015 by posting a 38-20 victory over Florida International last Saturday.

Zuberi Mobley rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns — his first TDs since the 2022 season — to help the Owls’ potent ground attack. Mobley became the first FAU player to rush for three scores since Malcolm Davidson accomplished the feat on Nov. 9, 2019.

Cam Fancher and C.J. Campbell Jr. combined for 125 rushing yards and two scores to lift the Owls to their seventh straight victory in the Shula Bowl.

“We’re going to celebrate the (heck) out of this,” Owls coach Tom Herman said. “It’s been almost a calendar year since we’ve won a game, and we won a rivalry game to boot.

“But I think we all know that the competition level is going to increase, and we have to continue to increase our level of play in order to accomplish the things that we want to accomplish.”

–Field Level Media

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 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

Nov 4, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) passes the ball against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

No. 17 Tennessee crushes UConn, 59-3

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Milton III passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another and No. 17 Tennessee produced three defensive scores while pummeling UConn 59-3 on Saturday afternoon in nonconference action at Knoxville, Tenn.

Jaylen Wright rushed for 113 yards, including a long scoring run for the Volunteers (7-2), who won for the fifth time in six games. Squirrel White and Ramel Keyton caught lengthy touchdown passes and McCallan Castles also had a scoring grab for Tennessee.

Tyler Baron returned a fumble for a touchdown and Jaylen McCollough and Aaron Beasley each had interception returns for scores for the Volunteers. Milton completed 11 of 14 passes for 254 yards in one half of play.

Ta’Quan Roberson was 24-of-40 passing for 218 yards and two interceptions for the Huskies (1-8), who lost their third straight game.

Tennessee outgained the Huskies 650 to 256.

The Volunteers led by 32 at halftime and piled on with two defensive scores in the first 3:09 of the third quarter.

McCullough intercepted Roberson at the 30-yard line on the first play of the quarter and he returned it for the score.

Just three minutes later, Beasley recorded the pick-six with the grab and 39-yard return to make it 49-3.

Backup quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw his first career touchdown pass, hitting Castles from 19 yards out, to boost the lead to 53 with 7:30 left in the third quarter. The Volunteers cruised the rest of the way.

Tennessee outgained UConn 402 to 200 in the first half while scoring on three offense plays of 60 or more yards.

Wright broke loose up the middle on the second play of the game and raced 82 yards for a touchdown.

After UConn’s Noe Ruelas kicked a 22-yard field goal, Keyton was wide open down the field and caught Milton’s pass at the Huskies’ 20 and strolled in for a 60-yard score to make it 14-3 with 1:38 left in the quarter.

Milton scored on a 6-yard run midway through the second quarter and then hooked up with White on an 83-yard scoring play to make it 28-3 with 4:34 remaining in the half. Just 64 seconds later, Baron scored on a 24-yard fumble to account for the 35-3 lead at the break.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Connecticut Huskies running back Camryn Edwards (0) rushes against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

BC slips past UConn, extends win streak to four

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kye Robichaux posted his second straight two-touchdown game as Boston College held off visiting UConn for a 21-14 win in its Saturday nonconference finale at Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Robichaux racked up 112 yards on 23 carries as the lead rusher for the Eagles (5-3), who responded to UConn’s opening score with three straight touchdowns and held on for its fourth consecutive win.

BC held a 433-222 advantage in total offense.

Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos was 16-of-24 passing for 151 yards and a touchdown to Alex Broome, who was one of nine different BC receivers to catch a pass. Freshman Jaedn Skeete had four catches for 61 yards.

Cam Edwards led UConn (1-7) with 89 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries. The Huskies managed only 92 net yards on the ground.

UConn QB Ta’Quan Roberson went 11-of-24 passing for 130 yards. Huskies linebacker Tui Faumuina-Brown had a game-high 12 tackles.

After UConn defensive end Pryce Yates recovered a Castellanos fumble, Edwards’ running and a pair of Roberson third-down completions helped the Huskies drive for a touchdown with 4:26 left in the first quarter. Jelani Stafford powered in for the 1-yard score.

The Eagles responded on the ensuing possession as Robichaux’s 5-yard run capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive in 4:17. A 17-yard Castellanos run and 15-yard toss to Lewis Bond set up the touchdown before the opening quarter ended.

Broome led BC’s go-ahead drive, logging four rushing plays before coming out of the backfield for a 6-yard touchdown pass from Castellanos on the third down. The 12-play, 66-yard drive took 6:02 off the second-quarter clock.

BC forced a turnover on downs at the UConn 40-yard line before halftime, but Castellanos had a throw to the end zone intercepted by Malik Dixon-Williams.

Emmett Morehead started the second half at quarterback for the Eagles, leading a 14-play drive that fell short after Liam Connor’s 44-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

Castellanos returned for BC’s next series, completing passes to Jaden Williams and Charlie Gordiner before Robichaux’s 13-yard touchdown run up the middle made it 21-7 with 40 seconds left in the third.

The Huskies made it a one-possession game when Edwards rushed to the right for a 30-yard score 1:09 into the fourth. UConn’s Noe Ruelas’ was just short on a 54-yard field goal with 6:44 left, ending an eight-play drive.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2022; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Boston College Eagles special teams Zay Flowers (4) returns the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

UConn clamps down on Boston College 13-3

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Freshman quarterback Zion Turner threw for a season-high 173 yards and a touchdown as UConn held off visiting Boston College in a 13-3 victory Saturday at East Hartford, Conn.

Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec threw for 155 yards but was intercepted twice, including one in the end zone late in the second quarter. Jurkovec, who absorbed three of UConn’s four sacks, also rushed 14 times for 29 yards before leaving with an apparent knee injury in the third quarter.

In a mistake-filled game, the Eagles (2-6) also fumbled away late chances.

Boston College trailed 10-3 in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Emmett Morehead found Jeremiah Franklin for a short completion, but Franklin fumbled, and the Huskies’ Jackson Mitchell recovered at the Boston College 32.

UConn (4-5) went three-and-out, but Noe Ruelas nailed a 43-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-3 with 6:26 remaining.

On Boston College’s next possession, Mitchell picked off Morehead, giving the Huskies possession at their own 32.

After forcing UConn to punt, the Eagles gave the ball right back to the Huskies. Star BC wide receiver Zay Flowers, who dropped a possible touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter and had just two catches for 35 yards, muffed the punt, with Mitchell making the recovery. Mitchell also had a sack for UConn and Pryce Yates had two more.

In 14 previous meetings between these schools dating back to 1908, the Eagles were 12-0-2.

Aaron Turner had 70 yards on four catches for the Huskies. The Eagles’ Patrick Garwo amassed 89 yards receiving and 13 rushing.

On the game’s third play from scrimmage, Turner hit Justin Joly down the right sideline, and one missed tackle by Boston College was all Joly needed to finish the 62-yard scoring play. Ruelas’ extra point made it 7-0 just 65 seconds into the game.

The Eagles then gambled on their first possession, going for a first down on fourth-and-1 at their own 34, but Jurkovec was held to no gain.

The Huskies then moved to a first-and-goal at the Boston College 5-yard line, but a fumbled snap cost them 20 yards, and they settled for Ruelas’ 31-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead.

The Eagles’ only points came on Connor Lytton’s 19-yard field goal with 9:57 left in the first half. He missed a 43-yard attempt in the closing seconds of the game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Corum and No. 4 Michigan overwhelm UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Corum scored five rushing touchdowns, four in the first half, and No. 4 Michigan overwhelmed UConn 59-0 on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Corum tied school records for rushing touchdowns in a game and in a half. He finished with 71 yards on 12 carries for the Wolverines (3-0) as they wrapped up their non-conference schedule.

J.J. McCarthy, named the team’s No. 1 quarterback after last week’s win over Hawaii, completed 15 of 18 passes for 214 yards. Ronnie Bell led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 96 yards.

A.J. Henning added a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown.

True freshman quarterback Zion Turner completed only 4 of 16 passes for 17 yards and rushed for 42 yards on seven carries for the Huskies (1-3).

Michigan held its opponent scoreless in the first half for the third consecutive game while racing to a 38-0 lead.

It took just over two minutes for Michigan to grab the lead as Corum scored on a 20-yard run. McCarthy completed a 38-yard pass to Roman Wilson during the possession.

Corum scored on a 1-yard plunge later in the quarter, completing a 54-yard drive.

Following a UConn fumble in its territory, Michigan kicker Jake Moody made a 26-yard field goal before the quarter ended.

A blocked punt gave Michigan the ball on the Huskies’ 18-yard line early in the second quarter. Corum scored from a yard out three plays later to make it 24-0.

Henning broke numerous tackles while returning a punt 61 yards for the Wolverines’ next touchdown. Corum capped his big first half with another 1-yard run with 3:11 remaining.

Corum scored his fifth touchdown on an 11-yard run up the middle during the third quarter.

Alex Orji scored on a 10-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Alan Bowman completed a 20-yard pass to Leon Franklin for the final touchdown.

Michigan has won all three head-to-head matchups with the Huskies. The Wolverines will begin their defense of the Big Ten championship with a home game against Maryland on Saturday. UConn will play another road game at NC State.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies defensive coordinator Lou Spanos. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

UConn DC Lou Spanos takes leave of absence

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UConn defensive coordinator Lou Spanos is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons, the school said Thursday.

The announcement comes just nine days before the Huskies’ season opener at Utah State on Aug. 27.

The school provided no further details, and it is not clear when or if Spanos will return this season. A replacement has not been named.

Spanos, 51, has held his position since 2019. He served as interim head coach for most of last season after Randy Edsall stepped down in early September. The Huskies finished 1-11.

UConn hired head coach Jim Mora in December. Spanos previously served as Mora’s defensive coordinator for two seasons at UCLA (2012-13).

Spanos also coached in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans (2014-17), then-Washington Redskins (2010-11) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1995-2009).

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws a pass against the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Clayton Tune helps No. 24 Houston cruise past UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Clayton Tune threw a season high-tying four touchdown passes to lift No. 24 Houston to a 45-17 victory over UConn in a nonconference game on Saturday afternoon in East Hartford, Conn.

Tune completed 21 of 30 passes for 301 yards for the Cougars (11-1), who carry an 11-game winning streak into next Saturday’s American Athletic Conference title game against Cincinnati.

Tune also threw four touchdown passes in Houston’s 44-37 victory over SMU on Oct. 30.

Nathaniel Dell reeled in two scores for his third multi-touchdown performance of the season. He had six catches for 62 yards before exiting with an undisclosed injury.

Jake Herslow had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown and Jeremy Singleton reeled in five receptions for 100 yards and a score.

Alton McCaskill rushed for 54 yards and his team-leading 16th touchdown of the season before sustaining an undisclosed injury late in the second quarter. He did not return to the contest.

UConn’s Steven Krajewski completed 9 of 19 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 53 more. Micah Leon relieved Krajewski and went 10-for-13 for 62 yards before injuring his left leg for the Huskies (1-11), who lost their final four games of the season.

McCaskill opened the scoring early in the first quarter after using a jump cut before finding daylight as part of a 31-yard touchdown run. The rushing score was his 12th in his last eight games.

Tune connected with Herslow on a 49-yard touchdown pass with 11:44 left in the second quarter before UConn answered just over five minutes later, courtesy of a 34-yard scoring reception by Kevens Clercius.

Undaunted, Houston cobbled together a nine-play, 58-yard drive that was capped off by Dell’s 6-yard touchdown reception.

Joe McFadden’s 25-yard field goal just before halftime trimmed UConn’s deficit to 21-10. However, Dell reeled in a 13-yard touchdown with 11:08 left in the third quarter.

Dalton Witherspoon’s 23-yard field goal and Tune’s 34-yard pass to Singleton staked the Cougars to a 38-10 lead late in the third quarter.

Houston pulled Tune to begin the fourth quarter, but Malik Dixon greeted Ike Ogbogu rudely by stepping in front of his pass and returning it 27 yards for a touchdown.

–Field Level Media