UConn fell 34-37 to the Rice Owls on Saturday, ending their four-game winning streak and putting the Owls back into the victory category.
The Huskies dominated in the air, whereas Rice took over the ground. Connecticut’s quarterback Joe Fagnano completed 32 of 48 (66.7%) passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns.
In the wideout room, Skyler Bell finished the day catching eight of 13 targets for 158 yards. In the back field, running back Cam Edwards carried the ball 16 times for 65 rushing yards.
For Rice, shot-caller Chase Jenkins completed 17 of 22 (77.3%) throws for 191 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, running back Quinton Jackson shined for the Owls as he ran for 176 yards and three endzone appearances. Additionally, former Husky receiver Aaron Turner snagged all seven targets for 49 yards.
“Just did not get it done. We needed to get it done,” said Head Coach Jim Mora. “We didn’t run the ball well enough. We didn’t stop the run well enough.”
To begin the fourth quarter, third-string running back D’Andre Hardemann Jr. spun his way through traffic for his first career touchdown. The freshman deadlocked the match 24-24.
With slightly under five minutes left in the game, Chris Freeman almost sealed the win for Connecticut. On a 46-yard field goal attempt, the senior slipped and botched the kick, resulting in the contest going into overtime.
In the first round, the teams traded endzone appearances. In Overtime 2, UConn took a 34-31 lead with a field goal by Freeman, but Jackson crossed the goal line for the Owls. This ended the clash 37-34.
UConn looked to have set the tone of the game, as they found the endzone first. On the team’s first offensive possession of the match, wide receiver Bell hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Fagnano.
The 80-yard catch ties the program’s record this season for the longest play, which was set by Bell versus the Central Connecticut Blue Devils in Week 1.
The last time the Huskies scored on their first offensive snap was Nov. 30, 2024, against the UMass Minutemen. Fagnano connected with tight end Louis Hansen for a 55-yard endzone appearance.
Following UConn’s quick seven points, the squad struggled to find their groove, as they punted on the next three drives.
With nearly a minute left in the opening quarter, the Owls struck back. Jenkins targeted tight end Micah Barnett for a 28-yard gain and spotted the ball on Connecticut’s 35-yard line.
After unsuccessfully moving the chains, Rice settled for a 38-yard field goal, making the score 7-3.
With just over 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Owls captured their first lead of the day. Jackson broke through the Huskies’ defensive line and took it to the house for a 73-yard touchdown.
This may seem all too familiar to fans, as Jackson juked through traffic for a 100-yard kickoff return last year at Rentschler Field.
In the final two minutes of the first half, the two programs together accumulated 21 points, with UConn starting the chain reaction.
On a long 13-play drive, Fagnano nailed Bell with a 21-yard pass and spotted the ball at Rice’s 49-yard line. This was followed by wideout John Neider snagging a 15-yard catch and moving the chains to the Owls’ 34-yard line.
While in the red zone, Fagnano nearly found the sophomore, but cornerback Jerrick Harper deflected the pass. On the same play, receiver Reymello Murphy committed pass interference, backing the offense up to the Owls’ 19-yard line.
After a 7-yard gain from tight end Louis Hansen, Fagnano tossed the ball to Edwards for a 12-yard touchdown.
This did not last long as Jenkins launched a 75-yard dime to Jackson, allowing him to break the plan.
With 49 seconds before halftime, Fagnano threw a 34-yard pass into wide-open tight end Juice Vereen’s breadbasket for six points.
Coming out of halftime, wide receiver Jackson Harper set the Huskies up on Rice’s 45-yard line off a 19-yard kickoff return. After a quick three-and-out, kicker Freeman buried the ball 45 yards through the uprights.
This was Freeman’s twelfth consecutive field goal, which broke the program record of 11 made conversions previously held by Dave Teggart, dating back to 2008.
Connecticut returns to Rentschler Field on Saturday, Nov. 1, to face the University of Alabama at Birmingham Dragons. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.