University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
1-0 , 0-0
Central Connecticut
0-1 , 0-0
UConn Dominates in Home Opener
8/30/2025 7:04:00 PM | Football
EAST HARTFORD, CT — The UConn Huskies kicked-off the 2025 season with a 59-13 win over in-state foe Central Connecticut in front of 37, 594 on Saturday at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. The Huskies controlled the game offensively, setting a new school record with 638 total yards, including 388 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air.
The first quarter got off to a slow start for the Huskies as CCSU took an early lead after a bad snap on a UConn punt gave the Blue Devils the ball on the five-yard line. The drive culminated in a touchdown by Elijah Howard and a 7-0 lead at 12:54. The Huskies responded effectively scoring on four-straight drives starting with Joe Fagnano's 80-yard touchdown pass to Skyler Bell at 10:15, tying the game. Mel Brown's 49-yard rush set up another Fagnano-to-Bell connection for a 12-yard touchdown, giving UConn a 14-7 lead with 1:05 remaining in the quarter.
The second quarter began with a Cam Edwards 73-yard touchdown run at 11:24 and Fagnano added to the momentum with a 4-yard rushing touchdown and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Reymello Murphy put UConn up 35-10.
The Huskies made it 42-10 in the third quarter as a 30-yard pass from Fagnano to Juice Vereen, set up a 20-yard touchdown run by Victor Rosa at 12:33. The momentum continued with a 29-yard field goal by Chris Freeman, extending the lead to 45-13.
UConn went to their reserves in the fourth quarter and quarterback Nick Evers connected with Jackson Harper on a 19-yard touchdown pass at 13:02, increasing the score to 51-13. Evers completed a crucial 18-yard pass to Jackson Harper, and MJ Flowers added a 16-yard rushing touchdown at 2:38, finalizing the scoring at 59-13.
Edwards finished with 115 rushing yards on six attempts and one touchdown. Fagnano led the passing game, completing 18 of 25 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns, while also contributing a rushing touchdown. Bell was a top target, catching four passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Parham led with seven tackles, including one sack.
Elijah Howard led Central's offense with 59 rushing yards on 11 carries, including one touchdown. Brady Olson contributed from the quarterback position, completing 8 of 19 passes for 118 yards and adding 20 rushing yards on three attempts. David Pardo was the top receiver with two catches for 64 yards. On defense, Eric Jackson stood out with seven tackles, while Christopher Jean added six tackles to the effort.
With the win, the Huskies improved to 1-0 overall. The Huskies are on the road next weekend as they head to Syracuse for a 12 noon match-up on ESPN+.
Game Notes:
- Skyler Bell's 80-yard touchdown was the longest reception and TD of his career. Bell's second TD catch marked his 7th TD as a Husky. It was Bell's sixth career 100-yard game.
- Cam Edwards' 73-yard touchdown run was the longest run and TD of his career. Edwards scored his 16th career touchdown and recorded his 5th career 100-yard game.
- Victor Rosa scored his first touchdown since the second game of the 2024 season.
- Reymello Murphy, MJ Flowers and Jackson Harper scored their first UConn touchdowns. For Harper, it was his first career TD catch.
- Saturday's attendance was the largest crowd at a UConn home game since a 2013 match-up against South Florida.
- It was the 5th largest crowd in a UConn home opener at Rentschler Field.
Team Stats
CCS 7, UCN 0
CCS - Howard,Elijah 2 yd run (Hennessey,Jack kick), 2 plays, 5 yards, TOP 00:43
CCS 7, UCN 7
UCN - Bell,Skyler 80 yd pass from Fagnano,Joe (Freeman,Chris kick) 6 plays, 88 yards, TOP 02:30
CCS 7, UCN 14
UCN - Bell,Skyler 12 yd pass from Fagnano,Joe (Freeman,Chris kick) 10 plays, 92 yards, TOP 04:04
CCS 7, UCN 21
UCN - Edwards,Cam 73 yd run (Freeman,Chris kick), 1 plays, 73 yards, TOP 00:13
CCS 7, UCN 28
UCN - Fagnano,Joe 4 yd run (Freeman,Chris kick), 5 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:20
CCS 10, UCN 28
CCS - Hennessey,Jack 20 yd field goal 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:01
CCS 10, UCN 35
UCN - Murphy,Reymello 3 yd pass from Fagnano,Joe (Freeman,Chris kick) 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 00:54
CCS 10, UCN 42
UCN - Rosa,Victor 20 yd run (Freeman,Chris kick), 4 plays, 60 yards, TOP 01:39
CCS 13, UCN 42
CCS - Hennessey,Jack 29 yd field goal 12 plays, 63 yards, TOP 05:31
CCS 13, UCN 45
UCN - Freeman,Chris 29 yd field goal 8 plays, 62 yards, TOP 03:15
CCS 13, UCN 52
UCN - Harper,Jackson 19 yd pass from Evers,Nick (Freeman,Chris kick) 9 plays, 55 yards, TOP 03:54
CCS 13, UCN 59
UCN - Flowers,MJ 16 yd run (Freeman,Chris kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:21
