University of Connecticut Athletics
Flynn, Rosa Find The End Zone In UConn Victory
9/5/2022 6:21:00 PM | Football
Sept. 5, 2022
If there was the perfect setting for UConn sophomore wide receiver Jacob Flynn to catch his first touchdown pass, it was at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field with his friends and family in the stands and against an in-state rival.
Which is exactly what happened on Sept. 3, as Flynn's TD catch helped UConn defeat Central Connecticut, 28-3, in the Huskies' home opener. Â
"I had a lot of people I knew coming to the game, a lot of family," said Flynn, an in-state product from Southington. "It was great to just contribute and come out with a win."
The moment felt like a blur to the redshirt sophomore. The 10-yard pass, thrown by freshman quarterback Zion Turner, was caught by Flynn on a deep ball fade and put the Huskies ahead, 21-3. Thrown in the air by junior offensive lineman Noel Ofori-Nyandu in celebration, the moment was truly special for the Flynn.
"I don't really remember a lot after I caught it. Everybody was just swarming me. It was the best feeling. It really was," he said.
The TD was the culmination of all the hard work that Flynn put in throughout fall camp, competing for a roster spot as a walk-on and earning his scholarship at the end of camp. Even through all the competition of camp, he made sure to appreciate it all.
"I just wanted to make the most of the opportunities I was given," Flynn said. "Make every play that I had the opportunity of making and I just hoped that it would all take care of itself."
When the Huskies (1-1) completed their victory, the players mobbed both Flynn and freshman running back Victor Rosa, another in-state product (Bristol), who scored his first collegiate touchdown on an 11-yard burst in the game's final minute.
"Connecticut kids, homegrown," Flynn said. "It was special.".
For UConn head coach Jim Mora, it demonstrated the character of the entire team, how Flynn and Rosa were embraced and rewarded for the hard work that they not only put into earning this opportunity to contribute, but also to help the team earn its first win of the season.
"That's what teams do," Mora said. "They recognize the contributors. The walk-on.The freshman. They came in and played a big part in their win."
Rosa also got to showcase his talents in front of his own friends and family just 22 miles away from his hometown of Bristol. Rosa stepped on the field with just a few minutes left in Saturday's game and it took just two carries to notch the first touchdown of his college career.
Rosa's hard work straight in training camp with running backs coach E.J. Barthel demonstrated a true commitment to the program. The true freshman has also been mentored by UConn running back Nathan Carter.
Carter, who rushed for 123 yards in Saturday's win, has also worked to improve his own game and those skills have translated to the football field. As a teammate, he's seen how hard Rosa has worked to be able to contribute to the Huskies. When he saw Rosa get into the end zone for his first career touchdown, Carter couldn't have been happier.
"I always tell him, 'When your time comes, you make the most of the opportunity,' and that's what he did today," Carter said. "When I saw him run the ball into the end zone, it put a huge smile on my face. I was just so happy for him. He has so much potential. He's such a good player. I just can't want to see him develop as a player and continue to get touchdowns going forward. This is the first of many for his career. He's going to be a great running back."
