Huskies Defeat UNC 27-14 in Fenway Bowl

Heading into this matchup at Fenway Park, newly extended HC Jim Mora was clear that the objective was to win this game, winning nine games in a season for the third time as an FBS member, and the first time since 2007. They put together a strong performance at the hallowed grounds of Fenway Park, defeating ACC’s North Carolina 27-14 in front of 27,900 fans (a bowl record) on a cold, drizzly Saturday. 

The Huskies got the opening kickoff, and on the first play from scrimmage, RB Mel Brown broke off a 47 run down. After a first down completion to Jasaiah Gathings, the drive stalled at the UNC 14, where K Chris Freeman booted a 32 yard FG to open the scoring. UConn forced a three-and-out, with Pryce Yates making a big stop on 3^rd and 1. The ensuing Husky drive would end at midfield, punting on a 4^th and 1, giving Carolina the ball at their 20. UNC would punt, after losing their starting QB Jacolby Criswell, and UConn would answer with a 38 yard TD pass from Fagnano to Bell, extending the lead to ten. UNC had a response to that, returning the kickoff 95 yards for the score. It looked like returner Chris Culliver stepped out, but the play stood after review. 

As the second quarter began, UConn was matriculating downfield, and after a nifty Fagnano run along the sidelines, a roughing the passer call and an additional unnecessary roughness penalty put UConn deep in the red zone, where Fagnano found TE Alex Honig from four yards out, and the lead was back to ten at 17-7. UNC went three-and-out once more, and a nice punt from P Tom Maginness of 53 yards gave the Huskies the ball at their own 31. A Bell drop forced UConn to punt, giving the defense solid field position at the UNC nine. 

The UConn defense remained feisty, and forced yet another punt. Some strong runs from Brown put the Huskies back in the red zone, but it was Edwards who rushed for 13 yards down to the UNC 4 at the two minute timeout. Edwards would punch it in from two out on 4^th and goal, and the lead was 24-7 with :54 left in the half. UNC would end up getting their first 1^st down of the game, but Merdinger’s pass would get intercepted by Tui Faumuina-Brown and the half would end at 24-7 Huskies. 

Halftime Stats:

The Tar Heels got the ball to start the second half, and while Merdinger was able to get another 1^st down, they would be denied on 4^th and short at midfield by a stout UConn front, and UConn took over in great field position in plus territory. RB Victor Rosa, who has struggled with injuries throughout the season, broke off an 11 yard run to get into the red zone, but they could not get into the end zone. Freeman made a 24 yard FG, and the lead was at 20, at 27-7. A Chris Freeman 52 yard attempt was no good, wide left, and the third quarter came to an end with the twenty point lead. 

UNC would finally get their first offensive score at the 6:46 mark of the fourth, a 17 TD pass from RB Caleb Hood to TE John Copenhaver, to cut the lead to 27-14. An errant kick out of bounds gave the Huskies fortuitous field position, but could do nothing with it. A Connor Stutz punt was downed at the 16, and UNC had a little life. After getting to midfield, UNC’s 4^th down pass fell incomplete, the the Huskies were ready for victory formation. It was the first bowl win since 2009 in the PapaJohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, giving the Huskies nine wins for the first time since 2007, and their first win of the year against a P4 opponent. It was a good day.

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