The University of Connecticut Huskies were unable to mount a comeback drive in the fourth quarter at Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. The Miami University RedHawks overcame a 14-0 deficit to earn a 24-21 victory.
UConn got active right away as Kalieb Osborne found Ryder Treadway on the first play from scrimmage for a 24-yard gain. A holding penalty on the Huskies set them back, but Osborne and company were not deterred. Osborne hit Javon Brown on third-and-15 for a 19-yard gain. After a facemask penalty on the RedHawks, Connecticut was in the red zone. Osborne zipped a seven-yard touchdown pass to Brown for the first touchdown of the game.
The Huskies got it back after a three-and-out from Miami University and articulated a great drive. They got past midfield on a designed screen for Cyncir Bowers. A few plays later, it was fourth down and one. Osborne kept the read option for himself and took it 38 yards to the house for the second Connecticut score.
Miami University looked to have something cooking on their second drive of the game as they got a few first downs and were in scoring territory. Then on third-and-two, Jayden Price made a big stop on running back D’Shawntae Jones, leaving a crucial decision for the RedHawks. Head coach Chuck Martin left his team on the field and gave it to Jones again. K’Von Sherman stuffed Jones behind the line, forcing a turnover on downs.
The Redhawks got on the board after a 90-yard touchdown drive with some costly UConn plays. Braedyn Moore got flagged for a horse collar tackle, and it put Miami University only 35 yards from the end zone. The Huskies got another stop on third down but could not make another fourth-down stop as McComb hit Braylon Isom and Isom scampered inside the 10. McComb took a read option of his own on the next play and dove to the pylon to cut the lead in half.
Miami University got the ball back with over three minutes left in the half. The Huskies looked to have a game changing interception, but Renick Dorilas was flagged for pass interference, and the RedHawks retained possession with an extra 15 yards to boot. On the next play, McComb lofted it to Brendan Loftus, who used all his 6’6 frame to make a phenomenal one-handed catch on his way to a 57-yard touchdown. After 14 unanswered points by Miami University, the game was tied.
UConn got the ball back and ran the clock down to two seconds before sending out freshman Jack O’Connor for a 46-yard field goal try. The attempt was wide right, and the two teams headed to the locker rooms tied up at 14.
“The tale of two quarters: we got off to a hot start playing really good complementary football there, and then kind of hit a lull in the second quarter,” UConn head coach Jason Candle said.
The RedHawks picked up where they left off to start the second half. McComb found Isom on third down for a 35-yard gain, putting them in field goal range. Sherman got a big sack before Miami University attempted a 44-yard field goal. Kellan McLaughlin’s kick bounced off the bottom of the uprights and out to keep the game tied.
UConn went three-and-out, and Miami University got to work again. McComb scrambled for 31 yards on third down, then he connected with Isom for another third down conversion. The Kansas transfer then hit Scoop Smith in the corner of the end zone, and the smallest player in all of Division I football gave the RedHawks their first lead.
The Huskies were quick to respond, however. Osborne aired it out for Shamar Porter, and the receiver hauled in a 53-yard grab at the 10-yard line. On third-and-goal from the one, Bowers followed his blockers into the end zone to tie the game up before the fourth quarter.
Miami University drove the ball down the field quickly, but three straight incomplete passes brought up a 40-yard field goal. McLaughlin missed for the second time, and the game remained tied.
UConn looked to have a drive starter with a Kenji Christian run, but it was called back due to a holding penalty and they punted again. The RedHawks started around midfield, but their game quickly changed after McComb exited with a knee injury. Backup quarterback Caleb Heavner could not put the RedHawks in scoring position, and they punted again.
The Huskies looked like they were headed for a three-and-out before Osborne threw across his body. This mistake proved costly as CJ Young intercepted the pass, giving Miami University great field position.
The RedHawks chewed the clock before calling on true freshman Brady Stidham to kick his first career field goal. The youngster calmly nailed a 33-yarder, giving Miami University a 24-21 lead with only a few minutes remaining.
Osborne was feeling it, making clutch conversions and putting the Huskies 38-yards from the end zone. On first down, he let a pass fly towards Brown in the end zone. The pass went off his hands with Amariyun Knighten draping all over him. No pass interference was called.
Two plays later, and it was do-or-die fourth and 10. Osborne rolled away from pressure and threw an incomplete pass. The RedHawks went into victory formation, and the Huskies fell to 2-2 in the season.
Osborne finished 17/32 for 215 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He ran for 84 yards and a touchdown.
“You wish you could have [mistakes] back and have a better outcome, but that is not the case,” Candle said. “We have to address the mistakes, find them and fix them.”
The Huskies return to The Rent next week for a noon showdown against Syracuse.