The UConn football team fell in overtime for the second straight week against the Delaware Blue Hens at Tubby Raymond Field on Saturday.
UConn nearly sealed the game on fourth-and-two in enemy territory, but tight end Louis Hansen caught the ball a yard short of the first down. The Huskies’ defense tried ending the matchup on fourth down, but defensive back Cam Chadwick committed pass interference.
The officials spotted the ball at Delaware’s 39-yard line, resulting in quarterback Nick Minicucci throwing a 26-yard pass into wide receiver Kyre Duplessis’ breadbasket. With two seconds remaining in regular time, kicker Nate Reed drilled a 43-yard field goal, deadlocking the match at 38 points apiece, forcing overtime.
Quarterback Joe Fagnano started the first overtime drive, throwing to Hansen for a 19-yard gain and a first down. On the Blue Hens’ two-yard line on third-and-second, defensive tackle Jack Hall sacked Fagnano for a four-yard loss. On fourth down, kicker Chris Freeman booted a 24-yard field goal, 41-38 UConn. On Connecticut’s 13-yard line, Minicucci clinched the win for Delaware, scoring a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
“We did not play near well enough today, particularly on defense. We could not get stops,” said head coach Jim Mora in his postgame opening statement. “Our offense moved the ball well […], but when you can’t get it in from your own two-yard line in overtime, then at that moment, you’re not good enough.”
Defensively, the Huskies struggled stopping fourth-down conversions, as Delaware advanced the marker all four times. Bryun Parham racked up three sacks, while Tyquan King registered two. Parham now tops the team with four sacks in the 2025 campaign.
After a quick three-and-out in UConn’s opening drive, Delaware found the endzone first. Minicucci connected with wide receiver Sean Wilson for a 32-yard gain, placing the ball on Connecticut’s 47-yard line.
Running back Jo Silver kept the momentum going, scrambling for 21 yards and moving the chains to the Huskies’ 11-yard line. After defensive back Lee Molette III committed a personal foul on Silver, Minicucci plowed through for a three-yard touchdown. With a little over 11 minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Blue Hens took a 7-0 lead.
Within three plays, the Huskies struck back. With under nine minutes left in the first quarter, running back Cam Edwards tiptoed down the sideline for a 51-yard rushing touchdown, tying the clash 7-7. During this drive, training staff helped Mel Brown off the field after gaining four yards. The junior returned for one snap in the second quarter.
Following UConn’s equalizer, Silver proved why he’s on the 2025 Doak Walker Award watch list, scoring a 70-yard rushing touchdown and taking a 14-7 lead. So far this season, this is the longest play and scoring play that Connecticut’s defense has allowed.
Fagnano targeted tight end Juice Vereen for a 24-yard catch, advancing to their own 48-yard line. Fagnano continued moving the chains, completing a 31-yard pass to Skyler Bell. On the Blue Hens’ 18-yard line with under five minutes left in the first quarter, kicker Freeman drained a 28-yard field goal, closing the Huskies’ deficit 14-10.
Delaware started the second quarter on Connecticut’s five-yard line, with Minicucci bolting into the endzone, extending their lead 21-10.
In Brown’s absence, Victor Rosa stepped up in the backfield for the Huskies, dashing for a 31-yard touchdown. The program claimed the lead with 7:17 left in the second quarter, as John Neider hauled in a 29-yard diving catch, allowing Edwards to secure a two-yard rushing touchdown. This marked the junior’s fifth multi-touchdown game.
The Blue Hens responded within three plays before halftime, as Duplessis snagged a career-high 68-yard reception, overtaking UConn 28-24.
In the third quarter, the two teams exchanged endzone appearances. Connecticut capitalized on several penalties against Delaware, resulting in Fagnano locating Reymello Murphy for a 10-yard touchdown.
With less than five seconds remaining in the third quarter, Silver weaved through traffic, crossing the goal line and recapturing a 35-31 lead.
After three unsuccessful run attempts on Delaware’s 10-yard line in the fourth quarter, Fagnano nailed tight end Alex Honig for a one-yard touchdown. With under ten minutes remaining, the Blue Hens trailed 38-35.
Offensively, UConn totaled 346 passing yards and 175 rushing yards. Fagnano completed 28 of 38 (73.7%) throws and became the fifth Husky to score three or more touchdowns in a game. Additionally, Neider set a new career-high, reeling in four catches for 60 yards, while Bell led with seven receptions for 92 yards.
Connecticut returns to Rentschler Field to face the Ball State Cardinals (1-2) on Saturday with a kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.