A game-winning field goal in the dying seconds lifted the Huskies to their third victory of the season.
After giving up two fourth quarter leads in two overtime losses this season, it looked like things were heading that way again for UConn football in its Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bulls. Instead, the Huskies shook off a game-tying touchdown with less than a minute left to deliver a game-winning field goal drive en route to a 20-17 victory.
UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano threw for 155 yards and a touchdown on 19-31 while also finishing as the team’s leading rusher with 64 yards. Cam Edwards rushed for 57 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown while Oliver Coleman-Lundberg helped out with 31 yards on five attempts. Skyler Bell was once again a force in the passing game, catching six passes for 54 yards and a score.
The contest started off slow with a scoreless first quarter. UConn finally opened up the scoring in the second quarter when Fagnano linked up with Bell from 25 yards out to cap off a 93-yard drive and make it 7-0.
The lead would be short-lived lived. On the ensuing possession, Buffalo running back Lamar Sperling rushed left and broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run to tie the game at seven, a score that would hold into halftime.
As the second half got underway, the Husky offense received a boost from the return of Edwards, who left with an injury earlier in the game. He scored UConn’s second touchdown from eight yards out to make it 14-7 early in the third quarter. Both teams traded field goals in the third quarter to make it 17-10 going into the fourth.
With 3:52 left, Buffalo started on its own 43 yard line and needed nine plays to go 57 yards for the game-tying touchdown. Al-Jay Henderson reeled in a five-yard catch out in the flat and ran it in on a fourth-and-goal with 0:59 left to play to even the score at 17 all.
Seeking to avoid a third overtime game in four weeks, Fagnano and the Huskies methodically marched down the field and set up 43-yard Chris Freeman field goal to seal the game. Juice Vereen and John Neider each had big catches on 3rd down to keep the drive alive before an out route to Bell set up the game-winning field goal.
UConn improved to 3-2 with the win and will now turn its attention to FIU on Saturday at home, kicking off at 3:30 on CBS Sports Network.
Category: General Sports
