UConn Ends Five Game Losing Streak With 37-29 Win Over UCF

In their last time out, the UConn Huskies couldn’t finish off a close game against the East Carolina Pirates. On a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon at Rentschler Field, they made sure that didn’t happen again.

The Huskies defense held off a late rally by the Central Florida Knights to win 37-29 on Homecoming at UConn.

UConn improves to 2-6 (1-4 American) and remains bowl-eligible. They’ll need to win their final four games for that happen. UCF falls to 5-3 (3-1 American). It’s their first loss in the American since the start of the league (11-1).

The Huskies offense was stagnant early as the UCF’s defense forced them to five straight three-and-outs. The sixth series was a different story though.

Deshon Foxx entered the game at quarterback and on the first play from scrimmage took the ball 68 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

“It was great blocking,” said Foxx. “I have to give all the credit to the blockers. I was just able to use my speed to get into the end zone.”

It was a huge play as it woke the rain-soaked crowd up and put some life back in the to stadium. But the lead wouldn’t last as William Stanback back on top with his second touchdown of the game.

UConn battled back and evened the score up when Chandler Whitmer hit Noel Thomas for a 38 yard touchdown pass. Then the tone of the game changed.

Andrew Adams picked off his second Justin Holman pass of the day late in the first half and returned it 43 yards to the UCF 31. After one pass play that fell incomplete, Bobby Puyol attempted a field goal from 48 yards that was blocked by Jordan Ozerities.
Unfortunately, the Knights were called for offsides and Puyol got another chance, this time from 43 yards that went in and gave UConn the 17-14 halftime lead.

After the two teams traded possessions to start the second half, UCF went in front 21-17 when Holman hit J.J. Worton for a 73 yard touchdown pass.

From there, UConn scored 14 unanswered points and saw their defense make some big plays, including Adams’ third interception of the game. UCF would score late and get the ball back but the Huskies defense stayed tough at the end.

“I’m just so proud of the team, I’m proud of the players each week in how they fight and their spirit,” said UConn head coach Bob Diaco.

“Our culture is growing and has been taking route.  It’s great to end the game with a win and to be able to reinforce all the things they are doing and how hard they are working. It’s an honor to coach this team.”

Scoring:

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
UCF Knights	7	7	7	8	29
UConn Huskies	0	17	14	6	37

1st quarter

UCF – 7:38 – William Stanback 3 Yd Run (Shawn Moffitt Kick)

2nd quarter

CON – 12:22 – Deshon Foxx 68 Yd Run (Bobby Puyol Kick)

UCF – 4:59 – William Stanback 1 Yd Run (Shawn Moffitt Kick)

CON – 1:12 – Noel Thomas 38 Yd pass from Chandler Whitmer (Bobby Puyol Kick)

CON – 0:00 – Bobby Puyol 43 Yd Field Goal

3rd quarter

UCF – 9:39 – J.J. Worton 73 Yd pass from Justin Holman (Shawn Moffitt Kick)

CON – 4:17 – Ron Johnson 1 Yd Run (Bobby Puyol Kick)

CON – 1:21 – Noel Thomas 22 Yd pass from Chandler Whitmer (Bobby Puyol Kick)

4th quarter

CON – 12:28 – Ron Johnson 2 Yd Run (Bobby Puyol PAT blocked)

UCF – 5:07 – Breshad Perriman 16 Yd pass from Justin Holman (Justin Holman Pass to Josh Reese for Two-Point Conversion)

Offensive Players of the Game:

UConn WR/QB Deshon Foxx had 11 carries for 102 yards including a 68 yard touchdown run. He also had three catches for 14 yards.

Defensive Player of the Game:

UConn S Andrew Adams had a career-high three interceptions that he returned for a total of 72 yards. He also had eight tackles.

Turning Point(s) of the Game:

Andrew Adams picked off Justin Holman late in the second quarter and set up UConn with great field position at UCF’s 31 yard line. After the first attempt was blocked and UCF’s offsides call, Bobby Puyol nailed the second kick.

Ron Johnson’s one yard run on fourth down in the third quarter turned out to be the game winner.

Offensive Notes:

Chandler Whitmer was 13-of-25 for 142 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked twice. Tim Boyle saw action on one series and was 1-of-3 for six yards. Deshon Foxx led the Huskies with 102 yards rushing and one touchdown. He also had three catches for 14 yards. Arkeel Newsome had four carries for 32 yards. Ron Johnson had 11 carries for 27 yards and two touchdowns. Noel Thomas had four receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Sean McQuillan had four catches for 36 yards.

Defensive Notes:

Graham Stewart led the Huskies with 12 tackles while Marquise Vann had nine tackles and a 1/2 sack. Cole Ormsby got the credit for the other 1/2 of the sack. Andrew Adams added eight tackles and a career-high three interceptions. His safety partner, Obi Melifonwu, also had eight tackles. Julian Campenni had four tackles including one sack. Jefferson Ashiru had an interception to go along with two tackles.

Special Teams Notes:

Justin Wain had nine punts on the afternoon averaging 35.1 yards. Two of those punts were downed inside the 20 and not one of them was returned. Bobby Puyol made his only field goal attempt from 43 yards. He was 4-of-5 on extra points as one was blocked. Arkeel Newsome had four kickoff returns for 63 yards.

Game Notes:

Central Florida Knights @ UConn Huskies 11/1/14 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Bob Diaco and UCF coach George O’Leary.

Here are the postgame notes courtesy of UConn Athletic Communications:·

• With the win, UConn earned its first victory over UCF and improved to 1-1 all-time against the Knights.

• The Huskies totaled a season-high 179 rushing yards in the win over the Knights.
• Saturday’s result marked the first loss ever for UCF in American Athletic play. The Knights were 11-0 entering the game.
• Safety Andrew Adams tied a program record with three interceptions in the game, becoming the first Husky to have three picks in a game since Darius Butler did it against Army in 2005. It was the first multi-pick game for Adams, who had two career interceptions prior to the contest.
• The Huskies tallied four interceptions in a game for the first time this season. UConn came into the game with just two picks all year.
• Noel Thomas’ 38-yard touchdown catch at the end of the first half was the longest reception of his career. His 22-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave him his first-ever multi-touchdown game, and his 83 receiving yards against the Knights mark a career high. The sophomore has three touchdowns in UConn’s last two games.
• Cornerback Jamar Summers, who made his first career start today, recorded UConn’s first blocked field goal of the season in the first quarter.
• Wide receiver Deshon Foxx’s 68-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter marked the longest run of his career. His touchdown was also the longest running play for the Huskies this season, and he finished the game with 102 rushing yards, eclipsing 100 yards in a game for the first time ever.
• Foxx’s 102-yard rushing performance marked the first time a Husky rushed for 100 yards in a game since Lyle McCombs did it against SMU on Nov. 16, 2013.
• Linebacker Jefferson Ashiru recorded his first career interception in the third quarter.
• Tight end Sean McQuillan hauled in his longest reception (16 yards) of the season in the third quarter.
• Running back Ron Johnson scored his first and second career rushing touchdowns in the second half. His first score was from one yard out, and his second touchdown came on a 2-yard run.

Injuries:

No major injuries for the Huskies during the game.

Reuben Frank did suffer an upper body injury but returned on the next play.

Geremy Davis missed the game with a lower leg injury.

Luke Carrezola missed the game with a lower leg injury and according to head coach Bob Diaco, could be lost for the season.

AAC Games and Results:

Friday, October 31

Cincinnati 38
Tulane 14

Tulsa 20
Memphis 40

(23) East Carolina 10
Temple 20

Houston
South Florida, 3:30 p.m.

Things to Work On:

• Continue to do what ever they’ve been doing the past few weeks

Up Next:

UConn is on the road as they head to Yankee Stadium to take on the Army Black Knights. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

photo credit: ian bethune