The UConn Huskies opened the season Saturday afternoon against Central Connecticut State as both teams looked to continue the success that they had last year, when the Huskies won nine games and the Blue Devils won their conference.
Despite a sloppy start with penalties and special teams mistakes, leading to an early 7-0 CCSU lead, UConn settled down and got the offensive scheme rolling in an eventual blowout win, 59-13.
The Huskies claimed their first win of the season in style. It’s the first season-opening
win for UConn since 2019 and the third straight year with a dominant win over its FCS opponent after many years of underwhelming performances against lower-level foes.
The Huskies first offensive possession ended with a botched punt attempt as the snap sailing over the head of punter Connor Stutz. CCSU began its first drive on the five-yard line. Two plays later, Elijah Howard stuffed it in for the first touchdown of the day.
UConn’s second possession would started on the same five-yard line after a hold on the ensuing kickoff brought the positive return back and a false start backed them up even more. Another penalty called back a long touchdown run by redshirt freshman Terrence Smith before Joe Fagnano found Skyler Bell for a quick pass on the left side and Bell evaded multiple defenders along the sideline on his way to the end zone, tying the game at 7-7.
The quarterback and wide receiver duo linked up again on the next drive to take the lead 14-7, set up by a long Mel Brown run into opposing territory. Cam Edwards took the first play after a fourth down stop 73 yards to the house on an outside run. Bell made an incredible over-the-shoulder catch for 26 yards to set up a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Fagnano on a QB keeper. With the score 28-7, CCSU responded with a long field goal drive, which UConn responded to with a touchdown pass from Fagnano to Arizona transfer WR Reymello Murphy.
The second half played out much like the first, as Victor Rosa scored a 20-yard touchdown run and eventually the backups were in the game. Backup QB Nick Evers found Jackson Harper for a touchdown pass on a screen play and RB MJ Flowers ran one in as well.
CCSU was unable to find the endzone again outside of its first drive, but managed one more field goal in the second half. The UConn defense proved to be too much for the Blue Devil offense, which was limited to 128 rushing yards and 129 passing yards.
UConn will now shift focus to its big road matchup next week with longtime regional rival Syracuse. The Orange fell to Tennessee 45-26 in their season-opener Saturday. Kick-off will be at noon on the ACC Network.
