:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57041471/IMG_3276.0.jpeg)
Due to the unfortunate circumstances involving some schedule shuffling, UConn Football is playing its second straight game on a short week as the Huskies host Memphis tonight at the Rent.
It’s no secret UConn has a tall task ahead if we’re going to see an upset tonight. The oddsmakers favor Memphis (3-1) by at least two touchdowns and despite losing big at UCF last week, the Tigers have beaten UCLA, Louisiana-Monroe, and Southern Illinois in high-scoring affairs. We can take comfort in the fact that ULM and SIU put up decent point totals, scoring 29 and 31 respectively, and maybe with a few lucky bounces (read: turnovers) UConn could pull it off.
The Football Outsiders’ S&P+ Efficiency rankings have Memphis ranked 66th in the country (24th offense, 105th defense) and UConn 120th (109th offense, 120th defense). The Football Study Hall projections based off of those rankings favor the Tigers by 13.5 points and give them a 78% win probability.
We’ll have live scoring updates and analysis here. So in case you’ve found it prudent to do something else on this Friday autumn night, we’ve got you covered.
Pre-Game
Interesting to note during #UConn warmups - Vechery was under center with Bryant Shirreffs
— Ian Bethune (@Ian_Bethune) October 6, 2017
Correction to the 2-Deep for UConn, #27 Omar Fortt is the listed starter at DB, in place of Ian Swenson, who is out for the season.
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) October 6, 2017
First Quarter
13:44 - WOW. Arkeel Newsome with a 64-yard rushing touchdown. He was virtually untouched after some misdirection in the backfield until about the 20-yard line, then someone swiped at his feet in the final 10 but he powered through for the score. 7-0 UConn
11:02 - Memphis answers right back with a drive where they went 3-3 on 3rd down including the 30-yard touchdown pass from Riley Ferguson to Sean Dykes. Tied 7-7
4:11 - UConn drives 80 yards down the field, propelled by a 58-yard completion to Tyler Davis, but goes for it on 4th and goal and fails.
0:19 - Touchdown Nate Hopkins! UConn made the stop after the turnover on downs, and took advantage of the short field. It was a weird drive which saw a UConn fumble and a very close 4th down conversion attempt, but it ends with a 1-yard scoring run. Tommy Myers had a big play going 17 yards on a quick out. 14-7 UConn
2nd Quarter
14:00 - TD Memphis, Anthony Miller grabs a 17-yard reception over Jamar Summers. Tied 14-14
8:00 - Another Memphis TD, Miller again. 21-14, Memphis
7:13 - Alec Bloom 30-yard receiving touchdown! This was a quick drive, with only two plays before the score, an 18-yard run by Newsome and a 29-yard pass to Keyion Dixon. Tied, 21-21
0:57 - A Memphis touchdown followed by another one with a UConn turnover in between. 35-21 Memphis
0:04 - UConn gets a field goal before the half ends off the boot of Michael Tarbutt from 37 yards out. 35-24 Memphis
END 1st HALF
3rd Quarter
10:23 - 75-yard touchdown drive from Memphis on the first drive of the second half, capped off by a 5-yard pass to Joey Magnifico. 42-24 Memphis
1:25 - Memphis got another TD when Ferguson heaved one up to Miller. On the ensuing kick-off, Kyle Buss lost a fumble and Memphis scored a second TD on the very next play. 56-24 Memphis