UConn Falls In OT For Second-Straight Week
NEWARK, DE – The University of Delaware edged out UConn in overtime, prevailing 44-41 at Delaware Stadium in front of 17,862. Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense on the day.
Running back Cam Edwards led the Huskies’ offense with 116 rushing yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns. Joe Fagnano completed 28 of 38 passes for 346 yards, a career-high as a Husky, and added two touchdowns, bolstering the team’s aerial attack. On defense, Bryun Parham recorded 10 tackles and sacked the quarterback three times, a new career-high.
In the first quarter, the Blue Hens opened the scoring with a methodical drive, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Nick Minicucci at 11:13, followed by Nate Reed’s successful extra point. UConn responded with a 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 51-yard touchdown run from Edwards at 8:48, leveling the score after Chris Freeman’s PAT. However, Delaware quickly regained the lead with a 70-yard touchdown rush by Jo Silver at 8:06, again capitalized with a Reed extra point, making it 14–7. The Huskies narrowed the gap with a 28-yard field goal by Freeman at 4:48, ending the quarter with Delaware ahead 14–10.
The second quarter began with UD extending their lead to 21–10, as Minicucci’s 5-yard touchdown run capped a 12-play, 79-yard drive. The Huskies quickly responded, with Victor Rosa rushing for a 31-yard touchdown at 10:08, narrowing the deficit to 21–17. UConn then took the lead with 7:17 remaining when Edwards rushed for a 2-yard touchdown, making it 24–21. Delaware answered back with a significant 68-yard touchdown pass from Minicucci to Kyre Duplessis at 5:55, regaining the lead at 28–24.
The Huskies capitalized on their first drive of the second half, with a series of penalties against Delaware, ultimately leading to a 10-yard touchdown pass from Fagnano to Reymello Murphy, putting UConn ahead 31-28 with 5:05 left in the period. Delaware responded, culminating in an 18-yard touchdown run by Silver as time expired in the quarter, giving Delaware a 35-31 lead.
In the fourth quarter, UConn’s Fagnano’s hit a critical 27-yard completion to Murphy to set up a one-yard touchdown pass to Alex Honig at 9:54, giving UConn a 38-35 advantage. Delaware got a late stop on fourth down with just over two minutes to go and as time expired, Delaware’s Reed successfully kicked a 43-yard field goal, tying the game at 38-38 and sending the game to OT.
In overtime, UConn took the ball first with Edwards rushing for a 4-yard gain, followed by a 19-yard pass from Fagnano to Louis Hansen, advancing to Delaware’s two-yard line. However, after a failed rush and an incomplete pass, Fagnano was sacked for a 4-yard loss by Jack Hall and Ethan Saunders, forcing UConn to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Freeman. Delaware responded effectively, with Silver rushing for 9 yards and Minicucci then sealed the game with a 13-yard touchdown run, propelling Delaware to a 44–41 victory.
Muprhy had three catches for 51 yards and a score while Skyler Bell hauled in seven for 92 yards.
UD quarterback Minicucci led UD, completing 23 of 34 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown. Minicucci was also a dual threat, rushing 18 times for 20 yards and securing three rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Duplessis was a key target, capturing nine receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Running back Silver carried the ball 15 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side, KT Seay anchored the unit with 13 total tackles.
The Huskies return home next weekend for the first of two-straight against teams from the Mid-American Conference when they play host to Ball State at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Kick-off is slated for 3:30 pm on CBS Sports Network.
Game Notes:
First meeting between UConn and Delaware since the 1998 season. The 27 previous match-ups all took place when both schools competed at the FCS level. UD now leads the series 21-7.
RB Cam Edwards ran for a pair of touchdowns, marking his 5th career multi-touchdown game and his first this season. It is the second time in his career he has had two rushing TDs in a game.
QB Joe Fagnano threw for 3 TDs, his second time this season and fifth time as a Husky throwing for three or more scores in a game.
WR John Neider set new career-highs with four catches and 60 yards.
LB Byrun Parham had three sacks and Tyquan King had two sacks in the game. It is the second straight game the UConn defense registered 4.0+ sacks. Parham now has 4.0 sacks on the season to lead the team.
UD’s Jo Silver’s 70-yard TD run in the first quarter is the longest play and longest scoring play allowed by the UConn defense this season.
In the first half, the teams combined for seven touchdowns and a field goal and 52 points. The Blue Hens scored on three-straight drives to start the game and four of their six drives in the half. They had drives of 73, 75, 79 and 75 yards. The Huskies punted on their opening drive then put together four-straight scoring drives (TD, FG, TD, TD).
