Boston, MA—–The UConn Huskies delivered a statement victory in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 27-14 at Fenway Park. The win not only showcased the Huskies’ dominance but also highlighted the daunting task awaiting Bill Belichick as he prepares to take over as North Carolina’s head coach.
Fagnano Shines, Tar Heels Struggle
UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano led the charge, throwing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, as the Huskies (9-4) embarrassed the Tar Heels (6-7) in front of a crowd that braved unseasonable conditions at the iconic Boston venue. Running back Mel Brown added 96 rushing yards, while wide receiver Skyler Bell hauled in three receptions for 77 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown that set the tone early.
North Carolina, under interim coach Freddie Kitchens, failed to find its footing for most of the game. The Tar Heels’ only spark in the first half came from Chris Culliver, who returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown immediately after UConn’s first-quarter score. Beyond that, their offense sputtered, managing just one first down before halftime.
Belichick’s Absence Looms Large
Belichick, who has been named the Tar Heels’ next head coach following the dismissal of Mack Brown, was not present at Fenway. The legendary NFL coach’s future team looked unprepared and overwhelmed, an outcome Kitchens acknowledged postgame.
“The only thing I will say about that is we’re going to get up tomorrow and go to work,” Kitchens said. “It starts and ends with people who love football and love Carolina football.”
Late Offense Too Little, Too Late
North Carolina found some life in the fourth quarter when running back Caleb Hood took over as quarterback, rushing for 64 yards on five carries and throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Copenhaver. However, the late surge was far from enough.
“It didn’t really start clicking until the fourth quarter,” Copenhaver admitted. “And it was too late.”
Backup Quarterback Woes
The Tar Heels’ struggles were compounded by issues at quarterback. Starter Jacolby Criswell exited after a hard hit on a short scramble, forcing third-stringer Michael Merdinger into action. Merdinger failed to move the offense, throwing a costly interception to UConn’s Tui Faumuina-Brown just before halftime.
Mora Praises Opponent’s Resilience
UConn head coach Jim Mora commended the Tar Heels for their effort amidst a turbulent period for the program. “They’re going through some turmoil, but they never gave up,” Mora said. “I thought Freddie did a great job keeping them together.”
Key Takeaways
UConn: The Huskies capped their season with nine wins, their best performance since 2007. The victory also marked their first win against a Power Five opponent this year after narrow losses to three other ACC teams.
“Everybody kept talking about those close ACC games,” said defensive back Durante Jones. “It felt good to finally get over that hump.”
North Carolina: The Tar Heels ended their season with three straight losses, culminating in their first losing campaign since 2021—a decline that cost Mack Brown his job.
Fenway Bowl Atmosphere
Despite the cold and rain, the historic venue provided a memorable backdrop. Snow lined the right field fence and Green Monster, while the manual scoreboard and layout were transformed to accommodate the football game. UConn fans packed the stands, and the Red Sox’s signature anthem, “Sweet Caroline,” echoed during a fourth-quarter timeout.
“Playing at Fenway, I kept looking up in the stands and thinking about how blessed we were to be here,” Mora said. “It’s a memory I’ll have forever.”
Looking Ahead
UConn: The Huskies secured a bright future by extending Mora’s contract for two more years, a deal announced just before kickoff.
North Carolina: Belichick has a long road ahead to rebuild the program and restore its competitive edge.
The Fenway Bowl served as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for North Carolina—and the momentum UConn hopes to carry into next season.
