The UConn Huskies celebrated a strong finish to their football season by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 27-14, in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, held at the iconic Fenway Park. This victory, witnessed by a crowd of 27,900, marked UConn’s ninth win of the season, achieving this milestone for only the third time in the program’s history and the first time since 2007. Additionally, the win snapped a three-bowl game losing streak for the Huskies, showcasing their resilience and growth.
The game started energetically with UConn’s Mel Brown sprinting 47 yards on the first play, helping set the stage for Chris Freeman’s 32-yard field goal to open the scoring. The Huskies’ defense was sterling, forcing the Tar Heels into multiple three-and-outs, culminating in a 10-0 lead after quarterback Steven Fagnano connected with Skyler Bell on a 38-yard touchdown pass.
Although North Carolina responded with a thrilling 95-yard kickoff return touchdown by Chris Culliver, UConn maintained its momentum, extending the lead to 17-7 before halftime thanks to a touchdown from Fagnano to Alex Honig, and a final touchdown from Cam Edwards just before the break.
The Huskies dominated the first half, outgaining North Carolina significantly and limiting their offensive opportunities. In the third quarter, another field goal from Freeman brought the score to 27-7, but the Tar Heels put up a fight with a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, UConn’s defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs to finally secure the win.
Leading the offensive charge, the Huskies amassed 210 rushing yards, with Brown contributing 96 yards. Fagnano, who earned the game’s Offensive MVP title, completed 16 of 23 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, ending the season with 20 touchdown passes – the highest since 2017.
This game not only signifies a remarkable turnaround for the UConn football program but also heralds a hopeful future as they build on this success. With the return of many key players and a proven strategic approach, UConn fans can look forward to a promising season ahead.