BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UConn football team scored 21 points in the fourth quarter on the way to erasing a 20-3 UAB lead to come away with a 31-23 win over the Blazers on Saturday afternoon in front of 18,351 at Protective Stadium.
The win ties the UConn program record for largest comeback, matching a 2003 win over Western Michigan where the Huskies trailed 17-0 in the second quarter only to go on and win 41-27. UConn (7-3) also notched their seventh win on the season, ensuring the program's first winning campaign since the 2010 season (8-5).
UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano (Williamsport, PA) came in relief of starter Nick Evers (Flower Mound, TX), who was forced out in the third quarter with an injury. Fagnano led three scoring drives in the fourth quarter in relief including touchdown throws to Shamar Porter (Nashville, TN) and Jasaiah Gathings (Statesville, NC). Gathings finished with six catches for 52 yards.
Running back Cam Edwards (Norwalk, CT) led the ground game with 82 yards on 11 carries including 48-yard burst for six to push the Huskies lead to 31-23 with 2:39 left in the game. The UConn defense forced a season-high four turnovers in the win, three coming in the second half and leading to 14 points.
The Blazers and Huskies both put long together long drives on their first possessions but both managing just a field goal. The two teams then traded turnovers as UConn's Cam Chadwick (Plainfield, NJ) got his second interception of the season, but the Huskies gave it right back with a fumble at the end of the first quarter to set up another UAB field goal at 13:07 in the second.
UAB got their second turnover on UConn's next possession, an interception by Tyjon Jones, and turned it into a touchdown and a 10-point lead. Just as the skies opened up with heavy rain falling, the Blazers ran it seven-straight times before Kitna hit Corri Milliner for a 38-yard score to make it 13-3 with 7:02 left in the half. The Blazer settled in and forced a pair of three-and-outs, giving the offense the ball back with 1:57 left in the half. UAB used five plays to get more points as Beebe Jr. burst off the left end and up the sidelines for 25-yards to make it 20-3 going in to the break.
The Huskies came out of the half and pieced together a 15-play scoring drive, their longest of the season, to find the end zone. Robinson carried it five times on the drive, the last a plunge from a yard out for six, cutting the lead to 20-10 at 7:57.
A third field goal from UAB's Delange pushed their lead to 23-10 and the Blazers were on the hunt for more on their next possession before a diving interception by safety Malik Dixon-Williams (Orlando, FL), his second of the season, ended the threat on the UConn one-yard line. The Huskies were able to pick-up a pair of first downs before being forced to punt but also lost starter Evers to an injury.
Fagnano came on in relief and put together an eight-play scoring drive with the big play coming on a 28-yard hook-up to Skyler Bell (Bronx, NY) to set up first and goal on the Blazer six-yard line. The UAB defense held and forced a fourth down decision. UConn would go for it and Fagnano had a clean pocket to find Porgter all alone in the middle for six, pulling the Huskies to within 23-17 with 8:45 left in the fourth.
UConn caught a break on UAB's first play on the ensuing drive as a muffed exchange by Kitna to Kam Shanks resulted in the Huskies falling on the football and taking over on the Blazer's 21-yard line. Fagnano gave the Huskies their first lead of the game finding Gathings in the right corner of the end zone with a 21-yard strike to go up 24-23 with 8:28 left.
The Huskies got their fourth turnover of the night with 4:54 left, recovering a fumble on their 41 yard line. Four plays later, Edwards burst up the left sideline for a 48-yard score giving UConn a 31-23 lead with 2:39 left. UConn had a chance to add to that in the closing minutes but a Chris Freeman (Zionsville, IN) field goal try missed. The defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs to seal the win.
UP NEXT:
The Huskies will have a bye week before returning to action on Saturday, November 23 when they head to Syracuse. Kick-off and TV broadcast information to be announced.
Latest Men's Football
- UConn and Syracuse Announce Addition of Future Game to SeriesSTORRS, Conn. - The UConn and Syracuse football programs have amended their previous agreement to add an additional game during the 2028 season it was announced on Thursday.
- Chase Lundt Earns Reese's Senior Bowl InviteSTORRS, Conn. – UConn offensive tackle Chase Lundt (Arlington, TX) has received an invitation to participate in this year's Reese's Senior Bowl on February, 1 in Mobile, Alabama.
- Huskies Back on Road at UAB on SaturdayMedia Coverage
- Huskies Run Past Georgia StateEAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UConn Huskies pounded their way to 271 yards rushing en route to a 34-27 win over Georgia State in the final home game of the season in front of 22, 028 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field Friday night.
- Huskies Close Homestand on Senior NightMedia Coverage
- UConn Defense Puts the Clamps on RiceEAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UConn defense held the Rice offense to 178 total yards including just 88 yards passing on the road to a 17-10 win over the Owls in front of 23,711 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field Saturday afternoon.
