COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The UConn football team lost their 2024 season opener at Maryland on Saturday afternoon, 50-7, in front of 35,421 at SECU Stadium. Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 311 yards and two scored and led an offensive attack that piled up 629 yards in the win.

UConn r-junior wide out Skyler Bell (Bronx, NY) hauled in five passes for a career-high141 yards in his first game for the Huskies.  R-Senior receiver TJ Sheffield (Thompson's Station, TN) caught two passes for 32 yards and UConn's only touchdown in the loss.

The Huskies (0-1) were held to just 88 yards rushing and 11 first downs on Saturday while Maryland ran for 248 yards and threw for 381 to kick-off the season.

The Terps (1-0) running game was led by backs Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray led the rushing attack with 126 yards combined and two scores. Edwards finished the day 20-of-27 while his back-up Cameron Edge came in and went five-of-six for 57 yards and a score.

Maryland came out of the gates with a touchdown on their first two drives of the afternoon.  The Terps took the opening kick-off and needed eight plays to cover 75 yards with Edwards Jr. finding Tai Felton for an 18-yard score.  After a deep punt put the Terps back on their eight-yard line, the offense made it 14-0 seven plays later as Ray broke free for a 48-yard scoring run. Maryland's offense rang up 131 yards rushing in the first quarter.

UConn's defense held Maryland to three field goals the rest of the first half as the Terps went to the locker room up 23-0.  Maryland made it 30-0 on their first possession of the second half as Hemby scored from four yards out to cap a 78-yard drive for his only score

R-Freshman quarterback Nick Evers (Flower Mound, TX) made his first collegiate start and finished six-of-17 for 73 yards with an interception before being forced from the game in the third quarter due to injury. Back-up Joe Fagnano (Williamsport, Pa.) came in and led the Huskies on their only scoring drive late in the third.  Fagnano found Sheffield up the right sideline for a 27-yard hook-up and Sheffield's first touchdown as a Husky.  Fagnano finished out the game 8-of-16 for 149 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The Terps left no doubt as on their first play of the ensuing drive Edwards Jr. connected with Felton who broke free and flew up his own sideline for a 75-yard score.  Felton finished the game with seven catches for 178 yards.

Up Next:

UConn will host Merrimack College on Saturday, September 7 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in the 2024 home opener.  This will be the first-ever meeting between the Huskies and Warriors.  Kick-off is at 12 noon on WFSB-3/WWAX and on UConn+.