The UConn Huskies set the tone to open up the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels Saturday as the Huskies controlled the pace of the first quarter, cruising to a 27-14 victory in Boston for the team’s first bowl win since 2010.
In just the programs’ 10th bowl game in school history, UConn took it to UNC on the very first play from scrimmage as Mel Brown rushed right for 47 yards to put the Huskies just outside of the red zone. UConn would eventually cash in a 32 yard field goal to put the first points on the board, capping off an eight play drive.
Defensively, the Huskies held the UNC offense in check only allowing 14 total yards of offense in the first quarter. UConn forced two three-and-outs in the first quarter. The Tar Heels only found success after the Huskies scored the first touchdown of the day as Joe Fagnano found Skyler Bell on a 38 yard touchdown pass and catch.
On the ensuing kickoff, UNC’s Chris Culliver took the kick 95-yards for a Tar Heels score.
However, the close 10-7 scoreboard didn’t last for long as the Huskies went right back to business on their next drive. The 11 play, 79-yard drive was given an extra boost as two defensive penalties on the same play set up shop for the Huskies on the four yard line.
Fagano capped off the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Alex Honig to push the lead to 17-7. UConn would go on to score once more before the half on a two-yard touchdown run from Cam Edwards to go up 24-7 into the break.
At the start of the second half, most of the damage had already been done in order for the Huskies to their first bowl victory in 14 seasons. The Huskies kicked a 24-yard field goal to increase their lead early in the third quarter.
UNC began showing signs of life midway through the fourth quarter after concluding a eight play, 96-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Hood to Timmy Lawson on a speed option pass with 6:46 remaining in the game. However, despite their lone second half score, the Tar Heels were unable to bring the score any closer as UConn finished the 2024 season with a 9-4 record.
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