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

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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 a 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’s 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 UConn Huskies are back home next Saturday, September 23 when they host nationally ranked Duke at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.