UConn enjoys winning feeling
Huskies ended 22-game FBS losing streak with easy victory over UMass
Amherst, Mass. — UConn celebrated a long awaited victory on Saturday.
Prior to routing UMass, the Huskies had suffered 22 straight losses to Football Bowl Subdivision teams, dropped 12 straight on the road and six in a row overall this season.
All those agonizingly long losing streaks disappeared.
You bet the Huskies celebrated after rolling to a 56-35 win before 12,234 fans at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
"We were desperate, we were hungry," running back Art Thompkins said. "We know we've been disappointed the last few weeks and we just wanted to come out here and make a statement. This was statement game for us . ... Everybody was just giving maximum effort. A lot of smiles on the sidelines. We were having fun."
"... We're going to enjoy it and celebrate together. Nothing crazy but just have a little fun."
The Huskies (2-6), who topped last season's win total, haven't celebrated on game day since a season-opening win over FCS foe Wagner on Aug. 29. The Minutemen fell to 1-7 overall.
"Just finally got one," freshman quarterback Jack Zergiotis said. "The spirit of the team is up right now. We're going to try to carry that into next week (against Navy) . ... Everyone was up and happy. We just want to feel like this again."
They took out all their frustrations
on one of the worst defenses in the nation. They had a season-high for points, rushing yards (326) and total yards (539). It also was their most points versus an FBS team since beating Syracuse (56-31) in 2009.
"First of all, I'm just really happy for our kids," coach Randy Edsall said. "They deserve to get the win. We executed well . ... Hopefully now, this will be something that we can build on. But we're going to enjoy this one."
After a sloppy first quarter that featured four turnovers (three by UMass), UConn seized control of the game, scoring 21 points in the second quarter to take a 35-21 half-time lead.
Junior Kevin Mensah accounted for three first-half scores on runs of 17, two and five yards and finished with five touchdowns overall, tying for the second most in program history. Thompkins put the Huskies ahead for good, 21-14, with a 24-yard scoring scamper.
UConn responded when UMass cut the gap to 35-28 on the opening drive of the second half.
The Huskies ran a rare trick play as Zergiotis (18-for-27, 198 yards, one TD, one interception) tossed the ball back to receiver Quayvon Skanes, a former high school quarterback. Skanes connected with tight end Jay Rose on a 15-yard touchdown pass.
"That play did not work in practice for us," Zergiotis said. "And then it worked in the game, so it's just funny how things work."
Edsall could have given out game balls to several players.
Start with Mensah, who became only the third Husky in program history to score five touchdowns. He rushed for 164 yards while Thompkins finished with a season-best 135 yards. A humble Mensah, who's from Worcester (Mass.) and knew several UMass players, gave credit to his teammates, especially the offensive line.
"It's just so great that we can put everything together and win a game like this," he said. "Throughout the whole week, we just put in so much work and we just stayed patient. The fact we can win a game like this is just amazing."
Like the Huskies, Mensah fought for the entire game, often shaking off defenders to gain extra yards.
"He epitomizes what a true football player is and a teammate," Edsall said. "The game is very, very important to him . ... Happy for Kevin. That was a big-time performance for him."
Edsall wasn't entirely happy. He was disappointed that the Huskies didn't put the game away earlier. Clayton Harris had a 25-yard field goal blocked in the first quarter.
On the plus side, a pair of freshmen played well. Linebacker Jackson Mitchell led the team with 13 tackles and receiver Cam Ross had a teambest nine receptions for the second straight week, finishing with 120 receiving yards and a touchdown.
But winning topped the list of reasons to celebrate.
"We finally got our first FBS win in two years," Mitchell said. "It was just exciting to get that feeling and now we've got to keep the feeling every week." g.keefe@theday.com