Chestnut Hill, MA — Joe Fagnano turned in a career night, throwing for 362 yards and four touchdowns — including three scoring strikes of 38 yards or longer — as Connecticut cruised past Boston College 38–23 on Saturday, handing the struggling Eagles their sixth straight loss.
Fagnano was nearly flawless, completing 23 of 31 passes and adding a 2-yard rushing score to lead the Huskies (5–2) to their first-ever win at Boston College. It also marked UConn’s first road victory over a Power Five opponent since 2012.
“We’re trying to build something special,” said UConn coach Jim Mora. “It’s an everyday proposition. We have to attack it every single day. But we’re starting to see some results.”
Explosive offense powers Huskies
Receiver Skyler Bell caught 10 passes for 125 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter that sealed the win. Transfer receiver Juice Vereen, a former N.C. State player had a breakout game with four catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns — the first of his career.
The Huskies’ offense produced five plays of 25 yards or more, giving them 33 explosive plays this season, the most in the nation pending late Saturday results.
“We like those chunk plays,” Mora said. “When you can hit explosives, it changes everything. We scheme for them, but the players are the ones executing — and they’ve been terrific at it.”
BC fades after halftime lead
Boston College (1–6) briefly led 20–17 late in the first half after new starting quarterback Grayson James connected with Reed Harris on a 39-yard touchdown. But the lead didn’t last.
Fagnano found John Neider for a 43-yard score on UConn’s first drive of the second half, then hit Vereen for a 14-yard touchdown to make it 31–20.
The Eagles drove inside the UConn 10 but had to settle for a field goal, cutting the deficit to 31–23. That’s when Fagnano and Bell delivered the knockout blow — a 38-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run down the left sideline that made it 38–23.
“We brought him here to do exactly what he did today,” Mora said of his quarterback. “We always knew he was capable of that kind of performance.”
James solid in first start; BC’s struggles continue
Making his first start of the season, James completed 16 of 28 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked seven times. Running back Jordan McDonald carried 24 times for 123 yards in one of the few bright spots for the Eagles.
James had replaced Thomas Castellanos last year but began this season as the backup to Dylan Lonergan, a former Alabama signal-caller. Lonergan’s recent struggles — including a late interception in a four-point loss to California and poor outings against Pittsburgh and Clemson — opened the door for James’ return.
The Takeaway
UConn: The Huskies improved to 2–13–2 all-time against Boston College, with both wins coming under Jim Mora. UConn’s explosive offense and emerging confidence make them one of the more surprising stories in the AAC this fall.
Boston College: At 1–6, the Eagles are facing their worst season in nearly 50 years. The program hasn’t finished with fewer than two wins since the winless 1978 team.
Up Next:
UConn: Travels to Rice on Saturday.
Boston College: Visits Louisville next weekend.
