Down their starting QB, Fresno State made its way across the country to East Hartford, and came away with its third straight loss, 19-14. With star QB Jacob Haener out with an injury, the Bulldogs struggled to move the ball against a stingy UConn defense in different field conditions than they’re probably accustomed. The game was uncharacteristically sloppy in terms of penalties. UConn, who entered the game 13th in the nation with only 4.4 penalties per game, committed eight.
It was a slow start for both teams, as UConn would go three and out on their first two drives, before Bulldog QB Logan Fife had the ball slip out of his hand for a fumble that was recovered by Pryce Yates. The Huskies wouldn’t be able to generate points off that turnover, but would later move the ball into Fresno territory before settling for a 26 yard Noe Ruelas FG.
UConn kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in the first quarter, but Fresno State would score on an 87 yard punt return that featured six UConn missed tackles. UConn would again get deep in Fresno State territory after a trick play featuring Cale Millen handing off to Aaron Turner, who then handed off to Zion Turner, who threw to Kevens Clercius for a 39 yard pass. UConn would only get a field goal out of it. The defense held the Bulldogs to 95 yards in the half and no offensive scores, yet trailed 7-6 going into the half.
The 3rd quarter started off with a quick Fresno State touchdown on a five play 62 yard drive that took up two minutes of game time to take a 14-6 lead. A 32 yard pass from Fife to Jalen Moreno-Cropper made the difference on the drive. A seven play 55 yard drive into Fresno State territory ended in a Devontae Houston fumble, but the Huskies would get the ball back just three plays later on a Tre Wortham interception returned to the Bulldog 19. Zion Turner would hit Aaron Turner with a 5 yard TD pass, but the two point conversion failed, leaving Fresno with a 14-12 lead.
After trading possessions to start the 4th quarter, UConn would take the lead on a 17 yard Devontae Houston touchdown run, capping off a 95 yard drive with 2:20 left. After a sack by Jackson Mitchell on 3rd down, Fife’s pass was broken up, giving the ball back to UConn. Faced with a decision on 4th and 2 from the Bulldogs’ 22 yard line, Coach Mora went for it, and Robert Burns rushed 7 yards to ice the game. It was UConn’s first FBS win since the win over UMass in 2019, and first win over a member of an FBS conference since Tulsa in 2017. They’ll look to make it two in a row in a winnable game on the road in Miami against Florida International.
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