Valiant Effort For Huskies in 38-30 Loss

Saturday, October 20

Tampa, Fla.

7 p.m.

University of Connecticut

7-0 , 3-0

#21 USF

1-6 , 0-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UCONN

USF

10/20/2018 10:31:00 PM | Football

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – The UConn football team put forth a spirited effort at No. 20/21 USF that resulted in a 38-30 loss at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night.

The Huskies led throughout the majority of the first half with a great defensive effort that limited the Bull's offense to just seven points.

UConn received two takeaways on its first two defensive possessions. Santana Sterling and Omar Fortt grabbed interceptions to set the tone in the early going.

The Huskies took advantage of Sterling's interception by rolling down the field and scoring on a 10-yard Kevin Mensah touchdown run. The Huskies totaled 60 yards on the ground on its 64-yard touchdown drive.

The defense secured the two takeaways and forced the USF defense to punt on three occasions in the first half.

UConn led 7-0 until 0:43 left in the first half. The Bulls rattled off a seven-play, 80-yard drive to even the score, 7-7.

The Bulls carried that momentum into the second half and took its first lead of the game on the first offensive play of the third quarter. Blake Barnett found St. Felix for a 75-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7 Bulls.

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— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) October 21, 2018

The Bulls tried to distance themselves at the end of the third quarter with a 30-yard field goal to make it 17-7 but UConn immediately responded. David Pindell capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown

Mensah rushed for his second touchdown of the night from four yards out midway through the fourth quarter to make it 31-20 Bulls.

After the Mensah touchdown, the UConn defense earned another takeaway, its third of the night, to set up the offense in great position. The Huskies could not capitalize with a touchdown but Clayton Harris kicked his first career field goal, a 38-yarder, to make it a one-score game at 31-23.

David Pindell rushed for a career-high 195 rushing yards and scored a pair of touchdowns including a 12-yard run with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter to make it 38-30, USF.

UConn attempted an onside kick and recovered but an offsides penalty negated the recovery. USF recovered the re-kick and the Bulls ran out the clock to secure their seventh win of the season.

David Pindell (197) and Kevin Mensah (120) both eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the second time this season (9/15, URI). The duo each totaled two rushing touchdowns on the night.