Backup QB Joe Fagnano sparks UConn football to 31-23 comeback win at UAB

Joe Fagnano entered Saturday’s game in the fourth quarter and flipped it on its head.

UConn’s backup quarterback led consecutive touchdown drives after replacing injured starter Nick Evers, including a perfect 21-yard pass for the go-ahead touchdown to Jasaiah Gathings which gave the Huskies their first lead of the game with eight and a half minutes to go.

The UConn defense forced four turnovers on the day, including a fumble which began the go-ahead scoring drive and another that led to a 48-yard touchdown run from Cam Edwards to seal the 31-23 win in Birmingham, Ala.

UConn (7-3) has now reached the seven-win mark for the first time since the 2010 season, which ended in the Fiesta Bowl.

Evers, who limped off the field after a short rushing attempt on the opening drive of the fourth quarter, finished his day 16 of 24 passing for 104 yards and an interception, adding 37 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Fagnano threw 4-for-11 for 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns, all in the fourth quarter.

Edwards’ late touchdown run saved what had been a rough day on the ground for the Huskies. He finished with 82 yards on 11 carries, and the team finished with 190 rushing yards on 39 attempts.

It appeared the game would be an evenly matched game of tug-of-war as the teams were almost in unison in the first quarter.

Both offenses came out with momentum and moved down the field with a balanced attack, only to be held to a field goal – UAB’s from 20 yards, UConn’s from 26. Then came the turnovers. UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna, son of former NFL QB Jon Kitna, was intercepted by UConn DB Cam Chadwick, and Huskies receiver T.J. Sheffield fumbled the ball right back as time wound down on the opening frame.

Beebe helped move the Blazers into UConn territory again after the fumble, but Kitna was incomplete on 3rd down and coach Trent Dilfer…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/backup-qb-joe-fagnano-sparks-232300306.html

Author : Hartford Courant

Publish date : 2024-11-09 23:23:00

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