UConn Second Half Comeback Falls Short in 24-17 Loss to FIU

Saturday, September 16

East Hartford, Conn.

3:30 PM

University of Connecticut

0-3 , 0-0

FIU

3-1 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

FIU

UConn

Photo by: Clarus Multimedia Group

UConn Second Half Comeback Falls Short in 24-17 Loss to FIU

9/16/2023 9:37:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – UConn junior running back Devontae Houston (Roanoke, Ala.) ran for 126 yards on 19 carries, but FIU freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins threw for 284 yards and pair of scores to lead the Panthers past the Huskies, 24-17, Saturday afternoon in front of 20,405 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.

The Huskies (0-3) fell behind 24-3 at the half but defensively held FIU 3-1) scoreless in the second half to set up a late game comeback that fell short of tying the game with under a minute to play.

For Houston, it was his third career 100-yard rushing game and his first this season. The junior running back also hauled in a catch-and-run 37-yard score out of the backfield in the fourth quarter. R-Junior Ta'Quan Roberson (Orange, N.J.) made his first start of the season at quarterback and finished 15-of-32 for 170 yards and a score.

The Panthers came out flying, taking the opening kick-off then going 75-yards in six plays with Jenkins capping it off on a one-yard plunge for a 7-0 lead at 12:27. The Huskies would try to answer and put together a 13-play, 71-yard drive that stalled out, settling for a Joe McFadden (Grapevine, Texas) 26-yard field goal.

FIU had a big second quarter, scoring 17 to take a commanding lead into the half. After a Chase Gabriel 27-yd field goal, Jenkins hit on a pair of big play passes for scores. The freshman signal caller found Jalen Bracey for a 45-yard score and then hooked-up for a 64-yard pitch-and-catch to Kris Mitchell up the left sidelines with just 47 seconds left in the half for a 24-3 lead.

The Huskies responded out of the break, taking the opening second half kick-off, and putting together an eight-play, 82-yard drive that was capped by r-junior defensive tackle Jelani Stafford (Brownsville, Pa.) plowing his way through the middle of the defense for a one-yard touchdown his first career carry and touchdown.

Houston's 37-yard touchdown catch with 14:04 left in the fourth quarter pulled the Huskies within 24-17. The UConn defense kept FIU in check and gave the offense the ball back with 2:41 left on FIU 48-yard line with a chance to pull even. Roberson took the team to the FIU 11-yard line but a holding penalty put the Huskies in a 4^th and 14. Roberson's pass to Cam Ross (Newark, Del.) fell two yards short, ending the game.

On defense, Pryce Yates (San Antonio, Texas) finished with six tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and a sack.

Up Next: The Huskies are back home next Saturday, September 23 when the host nationally ranked Duke at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm on CBS Sports Network.