UConn football beats UAB 31-23, secures first winning season in 14 years

Posted by Admin November 9, 2024 Football

(WFSB) – It is a historic night for UConn football, as they secured their first winning season in 14 years with a triumph over UAB Saturday.

The Huskies started out strong with a field goal after a 13 play drive and an interception on the Blazer’s second possession of the contest.

However, three plays after the interception, UConn would fumble the ball and hand UAB back possession.

The Blazers scored the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter when Junior Quarterback Jalen Kitna hit Freshman Wide Receiver Corri Milliner for a 35-yard score.

They would find the end zone again courtesy of a 25-yard run by Sophomore Running Back Lee Beebe Jr. UAB would go into the locker room for halftime with a 20-3 lead.

The Huskies would finally score a touchdown with 7:57 left in the 3rd quarter, as Freshman Running Back Durell Robinson would punch it in from one yard out.

However, UConn would struggle to put consistent drives together despite forcing another interception from Kitna late in the 3rd quarter.

That was until they were able to draw within seven points of the Blazers, as Senior Quarterback Joe Fagnano, taking over for the injured Nick Evers, found Freshman Wide Receiver Shamar Porter for a six-yard touchdown.

From that point on, the Huskies firmly controlled the game. The defense stepped up by forcing a fumble on the first play of UAB’s next drive and they would capitalize with a touchdown to take the lead.

Following a series of punts from both sides, Sophomore Running Back Cam Edwards extended their advantage by breaking off a massive 48-yard touchdown run. That made it 31-23 for UConn.

The Blazers would stage a late surge, getting all the way down to UConn’s 34-yard line. However, they would fail to convert on a 4th and 10, giving the Huskies their seventh win of the season.

UConn will look to ride the momentum of their third straight victory when they take on ACC member Syracuse on the road in two weeks.

As for UAB, they will take on fellow conference opponent Memphis on the road next week.