EAST HARTFORD — UConn football won a back-and-forth battle over Duke, 37-34, to improve to 7-3 on the season. In front of the largest home crowd for a Husky football game since 2013, Jim Mora’s squad captured its second win over an ACC team this season.
Joe Fagnano gave his all to spur the victory effort, finishing with 311 passing yards (27/39, 69%) and three touchdowns, including two to Skyler Bell. Fagnano also ran in a two-point conversion to push their late lead to three after the final go-ahead TD.
UConn outgained Duke, 467-390, and forced three turnovers: two Darian Mensah interceptions and a fumble to seal the game.
Duke flew up the field for the first touchdown, starting with good field position after forcing a UConn three-and-out on the opening drive. The Blue Devils went 55 yards in three plays, a screen and two runs, as Nate Sheppard ran into the end zone to quickly make it 7-0.
UConn answered back with a touchdown drive of its own as a Terrence Williams jet sweep got them into Duke territory, and a 21-yard completion to Skyler Bell had them threatening. A late-hit penalty got them into the red zone and then Fagnano found Juice Vereen for a 10-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
Mensah had a pass tipped by Kamo’i Latu and intercepted by Bryun Parham, leading to a UConn field goal to make it 10-7 in the middle of the first quarter.
The Huskies missed a chance to make it a two-score lead after forcing a Duke punt, even though that punt was downed at their one. Fagnano found Reymello Murphy on a third-down slant from the shadow of their end zone and hit Murphy again on a slant for a long gain before the drive stalled and ended without any points as Chris Freeman’s field goal sailed wide left.
On the ensuing Duke drive, an 18-yard completion pushed the Blue Devils into Husky territory with the help of a personal foul called on Latu. Four plays later, Mensah found Andrel Anthony in the corner of the end zone to make it 14-10 early in the second quarter.
The Huskies responded once again, mounting a 12-play touchdown drive that featured two third-down conversions. Fagnano hit Bell from four yards out for the receiver’s 12th TD of the year to make it 17-14.
The two teams traded punts before another Mensah interception gave UConn the ball back in enemy territory, setting up a Freeman field goal to make it 20-14 at halftime.
Duke opened the second half with a lengthy touchdown drive to regain the lead, 21-20. After a completion on the first play, the Blue Devils ran the ball nine times to get into the end zone. On the ensuing Husky drive, Fagnano connected with Murphy for 36 yards up the seam before finding Vereen for 15 to set up another Freeman field goal to put them ahead, 23-21.
On the next drive, Mensah hit three long passes before the Blue Devils found themselves with 2nd & goal from the 3. After two stops, they went for it again on the ground and broke through to take a 28-23 lead at the end of the third quarter.
UConn answered right back thanks to a fake punt on 4th & 9 in Husky territory that kept the drive alive, as Alex Honig took a direct snap 26 yards to get into Duke territory. Five plays later, Edwards ran in a TD from three yards out to put the Huskies back ahead 29-28 as they attempted a two-point conversion and failed.
Mensah hit completions of 15 and 19 yards on the next drive before finding Jeremiah Halsey to give the visitors the lead again, 34-29.
With 5:34 left trailing once again, Fagnano started the drive by hitting Bell for two completions totaling 23 yards before a 16-yard strike to Murphy. After two straight completions to Vereen, including a 4th down conversion, Fagnano hit Bell up the sideline from 19 yards away for the go-ahead touchdown. The graduate QB got the two-point conversion after rolling right and diving for the pylon, rewarded with two points by the refs after a review.
On Duke’s last chance drive, Parham forced a fumble that Trent Jones recovered to end the game. Husky fans stormed the field as they celebrated the statement victory of the season.
Next up, the Huskies host Air Force in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Kick-off will be at 12 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
