University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
FIU
Turner Takes Huskies Home To Face FIU
10/6/2022 11:50:00 PM | Football
UConn Athletic Communications / Oct. 7, 2022
TV: ESPN3
Radio: UConn Sports Network from Learfield - ESPN 97.9
STORRS, Conn. – With six games under his belt as the UConn quarterback, freshman Zion Turner has clearly found a second home with the Huskies football team. This weekend, he will bring that home to his first home when UConn (2-4) heads for Miami to challenge Florida International (2-2) on Saturday night (7 p.m., ESPN3) at FIU Stadium.
"It means a lot to be going home and playing in front of a lot of my family and friends," Turner said. "I'll get to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. I've definitely been around FIU a lot in my life. I'm definitely familiar with the stadium and the campus. I've been on that field a lot. It'll be fun going down there to play."
The Florida crowd will definitely know Turner as well, since he starred at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. A three-year starting QB, he was the first quarterback in that program's history to win three state championships. He was responsible for 90 touchdowns over that span.
Spurning offers from Power 5 and clearly more successful programs, Turner surprised fans in South Florida by choosing to play his college football at UConn under Coach Jim Mora. Six games into his freshman season, four of them admittedly lopsided losses, Turner has had a full learning experience.
But last week, in a 19-14 come-from-behind victory over Fresno State, Turner and the Huskies may have grown up and can face the rest of the schedule with a different outlook. Especially since the offense gained a whole lot of confidence from an 11play, Â 94-yard drive that culminated in Devontae Houston's 17-yard TD run that put UConn ahead for good.
"I was focused on motivating the guys, just making sure everybody was locked in and focused," said Turner, when asked about the drive. "We know our jobs and assignments. We were already deep into the game and everyone knew what we had to do. I was just saying, 'We've got to put a drive together.' "
UConn offensive coordinator Nick Charlton admitted he didn't know that that drive was that long.
"I didn't even realize that the ball started on the 6-yard line," Charlton said. "It was just calling plays to move the ball forward, we kept executing and we ended up killing a ton of clock, but the goal was, we just needed a score. I was proud of the guys – we converted a number of third downs. I was really proud of our resolve. It was a big step, but I don't think we thought about it like that at the time."
Mora will take the victory, certainly, but is hoping it's just the beginning.
"We had some opportunities last week and we made some plays," Mora said. "But we don't want to be 'one-hit wonders.' Now we have to build on that."
With the season-ending injury to Nate Carte r, Houston has taken over as the Huskies' primary running back. He has gained 215 yards on 40 carries (5.4 per carry)Â with 2 touchdowns. Freshman Victor Rosa is the first back-up, with 108 yards gained in 37 carries.
Turner has completed 62 passes in 113 attempts, for 559 yards and 5 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. His primary target is Aaron Turner (no relation), who has 18 receptions for 186 yards and 2 TDs. Kevens Clercius has 9 receptions for 139 yards.
Defensively, linebacker Jackson Mitchell leads in tackles with 66, including 2½ sacks, while defensive backs Malik Dixon-Williams and Durante Jones have 47 and 46 tackles, respectively.
FIU is also coming off a victory, defeating New Mexico State, 21-7, on the road. The Panthers will be at home Saturday for the first time since the Sept. 1 season opener and will be celebrating Homecoming.
The Panthers are primarily a passing offense with sophomore Grayson James as the starting quarterback, completing 72-of-119 (60.5 percent) for 663 yards with 7 TDs and just 2 interceptions. His primary receiver is Tyrese Chambers with 25 receptions for 247 yards and 3 TDs. Lexington Joseph is the top rusher with 132 yards on 36 carries. FIU has only one rushing touchdown this season.
The game marks the first meeting between the teams, but three more are scheduled, including next season at Rentschler Field.Â
