JOE FAGNANO: “I’M JUST PLAYING FOOTBALL”
Joe Fagnano once again looked like an NFL-ready quarterback after throwing for 123 yards on 15-of-20 pass attempts, including an eight-yard third quarter touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester in a 13-3 Week 2 preseason victory against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
Fagnano passed another test as he led Baltimore to a road victory and did so against one of the most blitz heavy defenses in the NFL, led by Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota blitzed on 40% of Fagnano’s dropbacks and completed 5-of-8 passes for 37 yards against the pressure.
“Joe came in, second week in a row, and kind of managed the offense really well,” Ravens first-year head coach Jesse Minter said after the game.
Fagnano’s first action came in a tough spot, at the Ravens’ own 14-yard line with just under three minutes in the first half where the Vikings forced a quick three and out. The Ravens offense continued to sputter on their first drive on the second half, after another three and out. But then, the former Husky star started to find his rhythm after connecting with Tez Walker for a 27-yard pitch and catch on a third and 11.
Fagnano found Josh Cuevas for a six-yard reception to get the Ravens into the red zone for the first time in the ballgame. Then, on third-and-8, Fagnano threw toward the sideline to an open Wester, who took it into the end zone for the only touchdown scored by either team all afternoon.
Two drives later, the undrafted rookie continued to look comfortable after hitting three Ravens receivers for 10+ yards on three straight throws. Baltimore got all the way up to the one-yard line, but were backed up on a holding penalty and eventually settled for a field goal and a 13-3 Baltimore lead.
A humbled Fagnano spoke to the media after the game, “I’m just playing football. It doesn’t matter how many people are in the stands or where we’re playing… I’m taking it day by day and play by play, and seeing where this goes.”
Meanwhile, one teammate was quick to praise the QB’s play. Cuevas, a rookie tight end out of Alabama, proclaimed, “He’s a general out there. When he gets his chance he’s been great these first two outings … I can’t say enough about that guy.”
In the Ravens’ first two preseason games, Fagnano is 37-48 (77.1 completion percentage) for 347 yards, two touchdown passes, one interception, only sacked one time in 52 dropbacks and has led the Ravens to five scoring drives (three touchdowns, two field goals) in 10 possessions.
There is zero conversation about who the Ravens starting quarterback will be this upcoming season. That’s clearly two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. However, it’s hard for us Husky fans not to get excited that Joe Fagnano could be pushing for the backup role in Baltimore.
The presumed backup quarterback Tyler Huntley has played five of his six NFL seasons with the Ravens. He has played in 30 NFL games and has been viewed as a serviceable backup QB. In 16 career NFL starts, Huntley has a 7-9 record, including 5-5 with the Ravens. He went 2-0 as a starter last season in Baltimore, with both of those wins coming against playoff teams, home vs the Chicago Bears and at the Green Bay Packers.
So, it could be tough to usurp Huntley, who was also named a 2022 Pro Bowler, but Fagnano has certainly caught the attention of his coaches and the rest of the NFL.
Fagnano’s last preseason audition will be against the Washington Commanders on Friday, August 28th at 6:00pm ET on NFL Network.
NATHAN CARTER RUNS IT FOR 6
Nathan Carter was the lead back in the Atlanta Falcons’ 34-6 victory at the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon. Carter, UConn’s leading rusher back in 2021, carried the rock 17 times for 42 yards and one touchdown.
The two-year Husky, who transferred to Michigan State for his final two collegiate seasons, appeared in seven games for the Falcons last season, recording nine rushing attempts for 60 yards. Atlanta’s running back room is of course, led by superstar Bjian Robinson. The team also signed Brian Robinson Jr. and Tyler Goodson this past offseason.
LOU HANSEN AND JUSTIN JOLY MAKE FIRST CAREER NFL RECEPTIONS
Former Husky tight ends Lou Hansen and Justin Joly each caught their first career passes during Week 2 of the NFL preseason. Hansen hauled in a three-yard pass for the Houston Texans against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. Joly snagged two passes for 10 yards on Thursday for the Denver Broncos against the Green Bay Packers.
Joly, a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, played his last two collegiate seasons at North Carolina State. He caught a career-high seven touchdown passes last season for the Wolfpack. Joly led the Huskies in receiving yards (578) back in 2023.
Hansen, who signed a deal with the Texans last week, recorded 20 catches for 194 yards in his final season with the Huskies last year.
Texans placekicker Chris Freeman did not play in the Texans’ 22-20 loss to the Raiders.
SKYLER BELL REMAINS OUT FOR BUFFALO BILLS
The 2025 Consensus All-American has now missed the Buffalo Bills’ first two preseason games as the former Husky star is dealing with a groin injury. Over the weekend, Bills beat Reporter Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reported that Bell suffered the injury in the Bills’ first practice at their new stadium, Highmark Stadium, back on August 8th.
It remains unclear how much longer Bell will be sidelined. The Bills will have their third and final preseason game this upcoming Thursday, August 27th against the Pittsburgh Steelers
“CALM DOWN!” PAIGE BUECKERS AND CAITLIN CLARK EXCHANGE WORDS
In the final moments of the first half between the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever on Thursday night, Paige Bueckers was bumped on a screen while defending Caitlin Clark, forcing Bueckers to grab the arm of the Fever guard to not allow any free space and a potential bucket before the end of second quarter.
Clark was not pleased with the foul by Bueckers, but Paige took a much calmer approach about the situation.
Bueckers got the Wings off to a good start in the second half, assisting on three straight Dallas buckets by Awak Kuier and Arike Ogunbowale to tie the game at 49. Later in the quarter, Bueckers found Kuier for a layup, giving her five assists in the third quarter and the Wings a 61-56 lead.
Clark tried to bring her team back into the game in the fourth quarter, knocking down a three-pointer to cut the Fever deficit to 70-64 with 8:54 to play. A few possessions later, Bueckers connected on a stepback jumper over Clark for a 10-point lead, the Wings’ first double-digit lead of the game. Later, made a 13-foot fadeaway jumper in the paint and then inbounded it to Ogunbowale for an open three-pointer and a 79-69 lead.
The Fever never got it back to singledigits as the Wings took home the 91-85 victory. Bueckers finished with 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting, six rebounds and eight assists, while Clark only scored 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting, but did have nine assists. She shot just 2-of-8 from the field for five points in the entire second half.
BUECKERS ERUPTS FOR 32 IN THREE QUARTERS VS STORM
The last time Storm and Wings met, it was an instant classic in Seattle. On Sunday, the score was not nearly as close, but Paige Bueckers was still able to put on a show by scoring a game-high 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-6 from three and 2-of-2 from the free throw line in a 92-70 victory against the Seattle Storm. The six 3-pointers are a WNBA career high for Bueckers, matching her collegiate career high at UConn. She also knocked down six triples in an 87-58 win over Marquette on February 5th, 2021, during her freshman season.
Bueckers scored 10 of Dallas' first 13 points as the Wings’ lead quickly grew to 13-6. Bueckers went 7-of-7 from the field in the first quarter, including a triple from the right wing to cap off an incredible opening 10 minutes.
With just over four minutes remaining in the first half, Bueckers faded to the corner and nailed a three-pointer to give the Wings a 35-point lead at 56-21, their largest lead of the game. Paige’s sixth and final triple came during the third quarter to extend the Wings’ lead to 71-48. Due to the large lead, Bueckers did not play at all in the fourth quarter.
As for the UConn-Storm represents, Katie Lou Samuelson scored three points behind a fourth-quarter three-pointer. Stefanie Dolson was held scoreless in 11 minutes.
The Wings have now won two games in a row and are 22-16 on the season. If Dallas defeats the Portland Fire on Tuesday, the Wings will clinch their first WNBA playoff berth since 2023.
The Storm, losers of three straight games, are now 7-31 on the season.
BREANNA STEWART, LIBERTY CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH
Breanna Stewart scored 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting plus 6-of-8 from the free throw line in the New York Liberty’s 109-102 victory against the Indiana Fever on Saturday night. She also added eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block.
Stewie’s first four combined baskets and assists either tied or gave New York a lead, including an assist to a Marine Johannes three-pointer to give the Liberty a 22-19 lead with 2:57 remaining in the opening quarter. Over the final 1:38 of the first quarter, Stewart scored six points on three layups off the pick and roll, off the bounce and in transition. The Liberty led 33-26 after the opening 10 minutes as the two-time WNBA MVP accounted for 18 of the Liberty’s 33 first quarter points (54.5%)
Jumping to the third quarter as Stewart finished another layup for New York’s first points of the second half to take a 55-51 lead. Later in the quarter, she found Leonie Fiebich for a three-pointer to extend the Liberty lead to six, 64-58. With under two minutes left in the third, Stewart grabbed a rebound then threw a baseball pass, with her left hand, down to Fiebich who finished and was fouled. New York took 85-78 after three quarters.
Following a New York steal, Stewart found Rebecca Allen in the corner for a three-pointer and a 94-84 Liberty lead. Four of Stewart’s seven assists led to Liberty three-pointers. The Fever made it interesting as Stewie found Pauline Astier for a layup to push the Liberty lead to 100-95 with 2:32 to play. Stewart was able to help fend off the Fever comeback by hitting six of her final seven foul shots in the final 1:24 of the ballgame.
The Liberty (23-15) clinched a playoff spot for the sixth consecutive season, including all four of Breanna Stewart’s seasons in New York, after the Washington Mystics defeated the Portland Fire on Sunday night.
The Fever (24-14) have now lost two games in a row after riding a five-game winning streak.
KAITLYN CHEN NEARLY PLAYS HERO IN CHI-TOWN
The Golden State Valkyries trailed by as many as 21 points against the Chicago Sky on Friday night in the Windy City. The visitors took a three-point lead, thanks to five fourth-quarter points by Kaityln Chen. However, Sky rookie Sydney Taylor hit the tying and game-winning three-pointer in the final 15 seconds of the game to lead the Sky to a 73-70 victory.
The Valkyries’ comeback started late in the first half when Tiffany Hayes sped through the lane for a layup. Then on the extra pass, Hayes spotted Laeticia Amihere for an open three-pointer. In the final minute of the second quarter, Chen hit Amihere for a layup, marking seven straight points scored by former Huskies and cutting the deficit to 37-25.
Azura Stevens assisted on a Natasha Cloud three-pointer for the Sky’s first bucket of the second half to extend Chicago’s lead to 41-28. Later in the quarter, Hayes drove through the lane, but kicked it out to Kalila Charles for a three-pointer to trim the Sky’s lead to single digits, 46-39. That three-pointer was a part of a 17-3 Golden State run over the final 3:18 of the third quarter as the Valkyries took a 51-49 lead heading into the fourth.
Stevens converted a layup on the low block to tie it at 57 with 7:50 to play. Later, Hayes took a handoff, backed down Courtney Vandersloot and connected on a layup to tie the game up at 65. After the Sky did not score on the ensuing possession, Chen pulled up over Taylor and drilled a long-distance three-pointer for a 68-65 lead with 1:12 remaining. On the next Valkyries possession, Chen drove past Vandersloot for the layup and put her team back up by three, 70-67 with 46.3 seconds left. However, Taylor stole the spotlight in the final moments with back-to-back clutch three-pointers to lead the Sky to a three-point victory.
Hayes led all Husky scorers with 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a season-high 30 minutes. Chen finished with seven points and four assists in a career-high 29 minutes. Azura Stevens (four points, nine rebounds, three blocks), Gabby Williams (2 points in a season-low 15 minutes) and Kiah Stokes (four rebounds).
Williams’ two points came on a pair of free throws as she went 0-for-6 from the field. It marked the first time since July 30th, 2023, that Williams failed to make a field goal in a game.
The loss was the second straight for Golden State as they dropped to 25-11 on the season, while the Sky improved to 15-22.
OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA SHINES AGAINST ACES, SUN FALL TO SPARKS
The Connecticut Sun went 0-2 on their final West Coast trip of the season after falling to the Las Vegas Aces 101-78 on Thursday and 77-68 to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. Against the Aces, Olivia Nelson-Ododa scored a team-high 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Then on Saturday, the 2022 second round pick by the Sparks picked up three first half fouls against her former team and never got going as she scored just two points in the nine-point loss.
Aaliyah Edwards missed her fourth consecutive game with an ankle injury.
The Sun are now 9-27 as the franchise has just eight games left before relocating to Houston ahead of next season.
DORKA JUHASZ, LYNX RALLY WITHOUT NAPHESSA COLLIER
Despite Naphessa Collier not in uniform on Friday night, the Minnesota Lynx rattled off its sixth straight victory and 16th win in their last 17 games with a 94-84 victory over the Washington Mystics in D.C. Collier did not play due to rest, but Dorka Juhasz scored eight points behind two three-pointers.
After Golden State’s loss to the Sky, the Lynx (31-7) are five games ahead of the Valkyries for the number-one overall seed in next month’s WNBA postseason.
AZURA STEVENS REACHES DOUBLE-DIGITS AS SKY FALL TO FEVER
Azura Stevens scored 14 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three along with nine rebounds in a 113-90 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday night.
It’s the 16th time this season that Stevens has scored in double-figures.
The Sky’s three-game winning streak has been snapped and they are now 15-22 on the season. Meanwhile, the Fever snapped their two-game losing streak, moving to 25-14.
KIA NURSE, TEMPO SNAP LOSING STREAK
The Toronto Tempo snapped the WNBA’s longest losing streak at 12 games on Friday night, defeating the Portland Fire 82-79.
Kia Nurse scored five points off the bench, including a second-quarter three-pointer. Serah Williams recorded 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds and two steals. It’s the first fourth double-digit game of the season for the former Husky.
NURSE FOUR TRIPLES NOT ENOUGH AGAINST DEFENDING CHAMPS
Kia Nurse continued to stay hot from three, scoring 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-10 from three and 3-of-3 from the free throw line in an 88-78 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday night.
Nurse is shooting 13-of-30 (43.3%) from three over her last five games, averaging just below 12 points a game during that stretch.
The Tempo dropped to 11-26 on the year, while the Aces improved to 26-13.
Serah Williams (Portland Fire)
- SUNDAY: 2 points (1-4 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist in 13 minutes. The Portland Fire (15-22) lost to the Washington Mystics 105-100.
ANTHONY SEARS MAKES MLB DEBUT
Anthony Sears came out of the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen to make his MLB debut Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals. Sears, nicknamed “Psycho,” due to his intensity on the mound, entered in the fourth inning with the Tigers trailing 5-1 and was able to quickly retire the side in order on just 12 pitches.
After allowing a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the fifth inning, Sears struck out three-time All-Star and 2024 batting champion Bobby Whitt Jr. swinging on an 82 mile per hour slider for his first career MLB strikeout.
However, trouble arose when three of the next four Kansas City batters drove in runs, including a two-run home run by John Rave to give the Royals a 9-5 lead.
Sears settled back in during the sixth inning after allowing a two-out single and then got out of the inning by striking out Whitt Jr. again. He returned for the seventh and set the Royals down in order.
The former Husky finished the day by pitching four innings, allowing five runs on six hits, one walk and three strikeouts. He picked up the loss as the Tigers fell 11-7 in Kansas City.
Sears, a former Division III athlete at Rhode Island College, pitched one season with the Huskies back in 2023 and went 3-1 with a 6.24 ERA while tied for the most strikeouts (74) on the team.
Sears’ most notable start as a Husky came in the 2023 Big East Tournament, when he allowed just one run over a career-high eight innings with eight strikeouts in a 10-1 victory over Georgetown, sending the Huskies to their third straight Big East Tournament championship.
Sears’ appearance makes it a UConn-record sixth time a former Husky has appeared in an MLB game in the same season. Sears joins George Springer, Anthony Kay, Ben Casparius, PJ Poulin and Kyler Fedko.
Make sure you follow @HuskyPros/X and turn those notifications on for all the latest updates on your favorite Huskies in the Pros!
Subscribe to Storrs Central to support the UConn NIL effort and get access to the latest intel and premium content!
