UConn Football snaps two-game skid with victory over Ball State
The UConn Huskies football team (2-2) snapped a two-game losing streak this Saturday with a 31-25 victory over the Ball State Cardinals (1-3) at Rentschler Field (East Hartford, Conn.). In the win, the Huskies combined spectacular special teams play and timely offense to overcome a balanced Cardinals offensive and defensive attack.
After trading punts to open the game, the Huskies were first to break into the scoring column after kicker Chris Freeman nailed a 27-yard field goal, giving UConn Football an early 3-0 lead.
The Huskies forced another Cardinals punt following their score, which was downed deep in UConn territory. Despite the horrible field position, quarterback Joe Fagnano marched the offense down the field, capping off a ten-play, 85-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Skyler Bell to extend the UConn lead to 10-0 following the Freeman PAT.
Not to mention, Bell’s touchdown was set up by a terrific one-handed catch from former walk-on wide receiver John Neider on fourth down, who threw for a touchdown in UConn’s week two loss to Syracuse.
Ball State, however, responded quickly on the first play of the second quarter.
The Cardinals ran a Philly Special-esque trick play on fourth down to perfection as wide receiver Qian Magwood lofted a pass to quarterback Kiael Kelly for a 19-yard touchdown. After Carson Holmers’ extra point, Ball State cut the deficit to 10-7.
Excellent special teams and defensive play by both teams squandered any attempts at offense whatsoever. Ball State put together a resemblance of a scoring drive late in the quarter but was held honest on third down, sending the Huskies to the locker room with the lead at halftime.
UConn forced a quick Ball State three-and-out to open up the second quarter, and the return by Jackson Harper set the Huskies up at the 50.
Taking full advantage of this excellent field position, wide receiver Terrence Smith cut up the Ball State defense on a jet sweep for a one-yard rushing touchdown for his first of the season, reclaiming another 10-point lead.
Ball State would march down the field following the Smith touchdown, setting up a crucial 3rd-and-1 in the red zone.
But the Huskies’ defense continued to shine, as linebacker Donovan Branch snotted a Kelly quarterback-keeper, forcing the Cardinals to settle for a Holmer 32-yard field goal, sending the team to the fourth quarter with a 17-10 deficit.
The Cardinals continued to play tough defense to start the fourth quarter.
But then there was Cam Edwards.
The star running back broke free for an explosive 32-yard touchdown run for his seventh of the season, extending the Huskies’ lead to 24-10. However, he’d later have another touchdown negated due to a penalty.
The Cardinals strung together yet another scoring drive following the Edwards run, as Kelly marched the offense right down the field, capped off by a one-yard plunge from running back Qua Ashley.
With the score at 24-17, Edwards came through once again.
The Norwalk, Conn., native broke free for another rushing touchdown, this one being 67 yards to virtually seal the Huskies’ victory pending the Freeman extra point with 1:50 left in the game.
Though the Huskies’ defense let up another Kelly touchdown pass to Dahya Patel with nine seconds left in the game (and a two-point conversion pass to Koby Gross), it would not be enough as the Huskies walked away with the 31-25 home victory.
Edwards’ fourth-quarter heroics were integral in his 24 carries for 194 total yards. His batterymate, Fagnano, completed 20 of his 30 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown.
Bell, on the other hand, had yet another career game. His 14 receptions (disregarding his 103 receiving yards) were one short of tying the program record for most receptions in a game.
“Raise your hand if you like to see Skyler with the ball in his hands,” head coach Jim Mora jokingly said of Bell in the postgame presser.
“He’s an outstanding football player for us, and he makes plays.”
On the other side of the ball, Mora was not so thrilled. Though Washington transfer linebacker Bryun Parham dominated on defense the whole game, recording nine tackles, the Huskies continued to struggle with two-minute defense at the end of the game, especially with Ball State’s final score.
“[Our defense], it’s really bothersome… and I think what’s really discouraging or disappointing for me is that we work so hard on our two-minute stuff, so maybe, you know, we’re not doing the right things as a coaching staff.”
The Huskies look to break over the .500 mark next week in an away duel with Buffalo at UB Stadium (Buffalo, N.Y.), with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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