UConn Defense Shines in Homecoming Win vs. Boston College

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It’s been a big season for UConn football with a long-awaited coaching change taking place in the offseason. After the struggles we’ve seen come from the program in recent years, head coach Jim Mora seems to be pushing some of the right buttons in 2022, and Saturday’s homecoming game against Boston College was no different.

Rentschler Field in East Hartford was buzzing on Saturday, as the 3-5 UConn Huskies took on the 2-5 Boston College Eagles on their home turf with a crowd of 25,527 people. The Huskies wasted no time to get on the board in the contest, as Zion Turner found Justin Joly for a 62-yard touchdown on just the third play of the game. The early lead seemed to give UConn early momentum because the defense carried that into the rest of the game, holding Boston College to just three total points.

On the offensive side of the ball, Eagles quarterback Phil Jurkovec struggled a bit, as he went 12 for 19 with 155 yards and threw two interceptions. Partway through the third quarter, Jurkovec left the game with a lower-body injury and didn’t return. Sophomore Emmett Morehead had trouble producing on offense as well, going 9-18 with 124 yards. Huskies’ Zion Turner finished 11-19 with 173 total yards. UConn senior running back Robert Burns also led the team in rushing, with 10 carries for 39 yards.

Despite the fact that UConn wasn’t overly impressive on offense, their performance on the other side of the ball helped to secure the win. They forced the Boston College offense to commit five turnovers, which included three interceptions and two fumbles. One of the fumbles came late in the game, with only 6:26 to go in regulation. The play resulted in a 43-yard field goal by UConn’s Noe Ruelas to put the Huskies up by two scores, 13-3, and ultimately sealing the win. The Eagles had chances to capitalize on offense but were never able to put it together. UConn continuously had answers, particularly for Boston College’s leading receiver Zay Flowers.

With this victory, UConn secured their first-ever win against Boston College and also their first in program history against a Power Five team.