University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
6-7 , 0-0
Marshall
9-4 , 5-3
Huskies Fall To Marshall In Myrtle Beach Bowl
12/19/2022 6:25:00 PM | Football
CONWAY, S.C. – The UConn Huskies got a pair of second half touchdowns from freshman Victor Rosa (Bristol, CT) but came up short in a comeback bid, falling to the Marshall Thundering Herd, 28-14, in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in front of 12,023 fans at Brooks Stadium Monday afternoon.
The Huskies finish their first season under head coach Jim Mora at 6-7 overall after returning to a bowl game for the first time since 2015. Marshall closes out their season at 9-4 overall.
Down 28-0 early in the second half, the Huskies began to mount a comeback bid as Rosa led the way with touchdown runs of 14 and 24 yards in the third quarter to cut it to two scores. The Thundering Herd thwarted late as Micah Abraham got an interception in the endzone and Marshall was able to run out the clock and seal the win.
Rosa finished with 75 yards on the ground coming on 16 carries and added a kick-return of 24 yards to his totals. He finishes the season with a team-best 11 touchdowns, all on the ground, and was the Huskies leading rusher with 636 yards on the season.
The Huskies turned it over three times in the first half as the Thundering Herd built a 21-0 lead into the half. The Husky defense had a strong start on the game's opening drive as senior linebacker Ian Swenson (Wilmette, IL) forced a fumble to get the ball back. UConn's first play however was the first of the three miscues as a Zion Turner (Fort Lauderdale, FL) pitch on an option play resulted in a fumble and Marshall recovery and return to the UConn 16. Two plays later, quarterback Cam Fancher found Corey Gammage for a seven-yard score.
Marshall's second score came off another UConn turnover as defensive lineman Damion Barber Jr. picked-off a screen pass intended for Brian Brewton (Miami, FL) and returned it 34 yards for a 14-0 lead with 3:23 left in the quarter. The Huskies first chance at points resulted in a 45-yard missed field goal in the second quarter and the Thundering Herd used four plays to cover 73 yards, capped by a Fancher to Devin Miller score from 10-yard out and a 21-0 lead at the half.
Marshall pushed their lead to 28-0 on their first drive of the third quarter as Ali plowed in from two-yards out to finish off a 10-play drive that covered 79-yards. The Huskies found their offense and responded with a pair of Rosa touchdown runs to cut the Marshall lead to 28-14 to head to the fourth quarter.
UConn got their second turnover of the night as r-sophomore safety Malik Dixon-Williams (Orlando, FL) got his second interception of the season with 13:45 to go in the game. UConn turned it over on downs but a tough defensive stand forced a Marshall punt giving the Huskies the ball back with 8:20 left on their own 20.
Turner led the Huskies on a 10-play drive and got the offense down to the Marshall eight yard line looking to pull within a touchdown. A holding call on first down knocked the Huskies back and Turner would be intercepted on 3rd and 20 in the endzone to end the threat. Marshall would pick up three first downs on their next drive to get in position to run out the clock and seal the win.
Team Stats
MAR 7, CON 0
MAR - Gammage,Corey 9 yd pass from Fancher,Cam (Verhoff,Rece kick) 2 plays, 16 yards, TOP 00:38
MAR 14, CON 0
MAR - Barber, Jr.,Damion 34 yd interception (Verhoff,Rece kick)
MAR 21, CON 0
MAR - Miller,Devin 10 yd pass from Fancher,Cam (Verhoff,Rece kick) 4 plays, 73 yards, TOP 01:20
MAR 28, CON 0
MAR - Ali,Rasheen 2 yd run (Verhoff,Rece kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 04:05
MAR 28, CON 7
CON - Rosa,Victor 14 yd run (Ruelas,Noe kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:16
MAR 28, CON 14
CON - Rosa,Victor 24 yd run (Ruelas,Noe kick), 4 plays, 40 yards, TOP 01:56
