Deadspin | UConn snaps ACC curse, beats North Carolina in Fenway Bowl

[ad_1] Dec 28, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Connecticut Huskies operating again Mel Brown (7) runs the ball in opposition to the North Carolina Tar Heels through the first half at Fenway Park. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Canha-Imagn Pictures UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano threw for 2 touchdowns and the Huskies' protection overwhelmed North Carolina for a 27-14 victory within the Fenway Bowl on Saturday in Boston.

Mel Brown ran for 96 yards and the Huskies (9-4) reached the nine-win stage for the third time in program historical past.

It was a depressing day for the Tar Heels (6-7), who're in transition as they await Invoice Belichick, who now takes over as head coach. Freddie Kitchens served as interim coach on Saturday following Mack Brown's departure on the finish of the common season.

North Carolina's Chris Culliver returned a kickoff 95 yards for a landing and backup quarterback Michael Merdinger threw for 86 yards. Six of the workforce's 10 first downs got here within the remaining 11 minutes.

Fagnano completed 16-for-23 for 151 yards for the Huskies, who had been restricted to a area purpose within the second half after rolling up a 24-7 haltime lead.

North Carolina misplaced beginning quarterback Jacolby Criswell to an obvious shoulder harm on the workforce's second offensive sequence. The Tar Heels, who had been with out operating again Omarion Hampton (going into NFL draft), did not choose up a primary down till lower than 30 seconds remained within the first half, and that was adopted by an interception.

UConn's first factors got here on Chris Freeman's 32-yard area purpose. Then, with 3:45 left within the quarter, Fagnano related with Skyler Bell on a 38-yard landing.

The Huskies led 10-0 earlier than Culliver's ensuing kickoff return, the one glitch for UConn within the first quarter.

Fifty seconds into the second quarter, Fagnano hit Alex Honig with a move for a 4-yard landing.

The ultimate first-half landing got here on operating again Cam Edwards' leap into the tip zone to finish a fourth-and-2 snap. That capped a 14-play drive that consumed virtually six minutes.

North Carolina, which misplaced its fifth consecutive bowl outing, was credited with 1 speeding yard within the first half.

The Tar Heels drove 98 yards on eight performs to attain on operating again Caleb Hood's 17-yard move to John Copenhaver with 6:46 left within the recreation. Hood rushed for a team-high 78 yards.

UConn had gone 0-3 in opposition to groups from the Atlantic Coast Convention this season, however it had no bother in snapping that streak in opposition to the Tar Heels.