UConn football picked up a win against a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision opponent for the first time since 2019 on Saturday.
The Huskies knocked off Fresno State, 19-14, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, and Victor Rosa found himself in the middle of the action again. The former Bristol Central star had a terrific punt return that set UConn up with great field position.
UMass fell, 20-13, at Eastern Michigan, but Tyler Rudolph tied for the team lead in tackles and came up with a nifty interception.
Here’s more about each player, starting with Rosa:
VICTOR ROSA
Midway through the first quarter, Fresno State punted to Rosa, and he responded with a shifty 25-yard return. A 15-yard facemask penalty was tacked on at the end, giving UConn the ball at its opponent’s 32-yard line. The Huskies wound up getting to the Bulldog 8, but couldn’t go any further and settled for a Noe Ruelas (former standout at Hall High School in West Hartford, by the way) field goal from 26 yards for a 3-0 lead at the 4:06 mark.
Rosa returned three punts for 46 yards and two kickoffs for 25 yards. He carried the ball 11 times on offense for 27 yards. Rosa’s 11 rushes were second only to Devontae Houston, who toted the ball 23 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Rosa’s biggest impact in the run game came on UConn’s go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Starting that their own six-yard line, the Huskies called Rosa’s No. 22 on the first plays, and he gained nine on rushes of five and four yards. Rosa helped UConn get out of the shadow of its own goalpost, then Zion Turner threw for a 40-yard completion two plays later. Houston finished off the drive with a 17-yard touchdown run with 2:20 to play.
TYLER RUDOLPH
The former Sacred Heart and Holy Cross standout tied for the team lead in tackles with nine in the game against Eastern Michigan. It was the interception, however, that was his highlight-reel play. Late in the third quarter with UMass leading, 13-7, Eastern Michigan faced a 4th and 5 in Minutemen territory. A pass went over the middle, and Rudolph was able to get his body between the ball and the turf. Rudolph secure the interception, then celebrated with a teammate.
Rudolph, who transferred to UMass from Penn State, has played in all five games for the Minutemen. He has 22 total tackles, including one for a loss, to go with his interception. Rudolph also has two pass break-ups so far.
Photo credits: UConn (Rosa) and UMass (Rudolph) athletics.
