University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
2-6
University of Massachusetts
1-7
Huskies Run Over UMass, 56-35
10/26/2019 6:21:00 PM | Football
AMHERST, Mass. - The UConn football team (2-6) rushed for 329 yards en route to a 56-35 victory on the road against UMass on Saturday afternoon.
Kevin Mensah led the way for the Huskies with a career-high five rushing touchdowns on 19 carries for 164 yards. The junior is the first Husky to record five touchdowns since Wilbur Gilliard did it against James Madison during the 1993 season.
"Kevin epitomizes what a true football player is, and a teammate," head coach Randy Edsall said. "You're just happy for guys that have those kinds of performances because of what they put into it. It's a lesson to everybody that if you work real hard and do the right things, you can be successful."
Art Thompkins complemented Mensah with a career-high 135 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown. It was the first time since Jordan Todman (151) and Robbie Frey (105) eclipsed the century mark against Texas Southern on September 11, 2010 that UConn had a pair of running backs post 100 yards rushing.Â
Freshman wide receiver Cameron Ross posted big numbers on Saturday with nine catches for a career-high 120 yards and one touchdown. Ross becomes the first Husky in 2019 to register 100 yards or more receiving.
UConn utilized a trick play in the third quarter to pad the lead with Quayvon Skanes taking a pitch and tossing a 15 yard touchdown pass to Jay Rose. It was the first receiving touchdown in Rose's career.
"That play did not work in practice for us," quarterback Jack Zergiotis said, grinning. "And then it worked in a game. It's just funny how things work."
The UConn defense posted three takeaways in the game, the second time the Huskies have forced three turnovers this season (Illinois).
"I'm just really happy for our kids," Edsall said. "They've done the things we've asked them to do, and now we were able to go out and get a win."
The 56 points for the Huskies is the most for UConn against an FBS opponent since scoring 56 on Syracuse back in 2009.
The Huskies look to carry momentum into next week's Friday night primetime matchup vs. Navy at 8 p.m. at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
Team Stats
UCONN 7, UMASS 0
UCONN - MENSAH, Kevin 17 yd run (HARRIS, Clayton kick), 8 plays, 45 yards, TOP 3:22
UCONN 7, UMASS 7
UMASS - ALLY, Bilal 1 yd run (GARCIA, Cooper kick), 7 plays, 58 yards, TOP 2:43
UCONN 14, UMASS 7
UCONN - MENSAH, Kevin 2 yd run (HARRIS, Clayton kick), 5 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:52
UCONN 14, UMASS 14
UMASS - JOHNSON, Je. 40 yd pass from BRITO, Andrew (GARCIA, Cooper kick) 6 plays, 70 yards, TOP 1:46
UCONN 21, UMASS 14
UCONN - THOMPKINS, Art 25 yd run (HARRIS, Clayton kick), 4 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:46
UCONN 28, UMASS 14
UCONN - MENSAH, Kevin 5 yd run (HARRIS, Clayton kick), 8 plays, 61 yards, TOP 4:02
UCONN 35, UMASS 14
UCONN - ROSS, Cameron 57 yd pass from ZERGIOTIS, Jack (HARRIS, Clayton kick) 2 plays, 59 yards, TOP 0:52
UCONN 35, UMASS 21
UMASS - EMILUS, Samuel 14 yd pass from BRITO, Andrew (GARCIA, Cooper kick) 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:37
UCONN 35, UMASS 28
UMASS - ALLY, Bilal 1 yd run (GARCIA, Cooper kick), 6 plays, 85 yards, TOP 2:17
UCONN 42, UMASS 28
UCONN - ROSE, Jay 15 yd pass from SKANES, Quayvon (HARRIS, Clayton kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:36
UCONN 49, UMASS 28
UCONN - MENSAH, Kevin 14 yd run (HARRIS, Clayton kick), 12 plays, 79 yards, TOP 6:50
UCONN 56, UMASS 28
UCONN - MENSAH, Kevin 3 yd run (HARRIS, Clayton kick), 4 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:15
UCONN 56, UMASS 35
UMASS - TORRES, G. 19 yd run (GARCIA, Cooper kick), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 2:09
