UCONN Football Beats Pittsburgh

If you were one of the UCONN faithful at Saturday afternoon’s football game and left early, you are an idiot. You missed probably the greatest comeback for UCONN football. Led by DJ Hernandez and Donald Brown II, UCONN rallied from a 31-17 deficit to win the game in double overtime 46-45. A gutsy call by Coach Randy Edsall had the Huskies going for a two point conversion down 1 after they had just scored. The Huskies set up in a pass formation and as they snapped the ball, everyone was covered and DJ scrambled, almost getting tackled, into the end zone for the winning two points. Surprisingly, no UCONN fans stormed the field to celebrate with the jubilant Huskies at midfield. The win over Pittsburgh keeps UCONN’s bowl hopes alive still needing to win 2 of their last 3 games @Syracuse, home vs Cincinnati, and @Louisville.

Notes and Observations:

• Most of the sellout crowd of 40,000 stayed til the end of the game. This is shocking I know.
• DJ Hernandez had perhaps his finest game in a UCONN uniform. He was 20 of 29 for 164 yds and 4 td’s. He also rushed for 130 yards. The key stat for DJ was no turnovers.
• Donald Brown II had another fine game and showed why he is the starter at running back finishing with 205 yards and 2 td’s rushing. He also caught a pass for a td. This was his 3rd career 100 yard rushing game of his brief career and second in a row.
• Terence Jeffers caught his first career touchdown pass from DJ Hernandez.
• This was the first home overtime game for UCONN at Rentschler field.
• UCONN is now 2-1 in the brief series with Pittsburgh with both wins coming at home.
• Tony Ciaravino was perfect on his extra point attempts, including two pressure packed ones. One to tie the game with 2 seconds left, and one at the end of the first overtime.
• Matt Nuzie hit a 47 yard field goal. Yes, Matt Nuzie hit another field goal.
• For those who don’t know, Pittsburgh is coached by former NFL coach, Dave Wannstedt

Next up for the Huskies is the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome next Saturday at 12 noon. The game will be televised locally on Fox 61.