UConn Football: Huskies defeat Ball State behind Cam Edwards’ historic performance

EAST HARTFORD, CT — The Husky Revolution is back in action. While it wasn’t the blowout some anticipated, the UConn Huskies were able to come away with its first FBS football win of 2025 in a 31-25 victory over Ball State at The Rent. UConn never trailed, striking first and building a 10-0 lead to begin the first quarter. They would then lead by multiple possessions two more times in the midst of a huge home victory.

And even after heartbreaking overtime losses in Weeks 2 and 3, Connecticut responded with over 25,000 in attendance for their two-touchdown victory. Joe Fagnano wasn’t sacked and didn’t turn the football over, while Cam Edwards and Skyler Bell both went for over 100 yards for the third time in four games.

Here’s what stood out from Connecticut’s 31-25 victory.

UConn Football: Huskies Pull Through in Win over Ball State

Start: UConn Controlled

While UConn didn’t start off well, the Huskies still were able to pad a multi-score lead in the beginning of the football game. After two punts to open the contest, the Huskies were set up in great field position after a really solid return from Jackson Harper, where they would then kick their first field goal to go up 3-0. And just before the end of the quarter, UConn tested its limits, converting two fourth down attempts in a 10-play, 85-yard drive capped off with a touchdown.

The Huskies went for it on 4th-&-8 from the Ball State 35, completing a 26-yard pass down the field to John Neider. Later in the drive, UConn went with a brilliant play call on fourth and goal from the two, with a bootleg where the defense followed Edwards, but the ball found Bell wide open in the end zone.

That was one of many catches for Bell, who caught seven in the first quarter for 53 yards. He finished with 113 yards on 14 catches, one shy of tying the school record in a single game. Bell continues a miraculous 2025, where he’s eclipsed 100-yards three times in four games, and ranks among the leaders in FBS in yards and receptions.

“I’ve never had 14 catches,” Bell said postgame. “My closest was a couple of weeks ago I had eleven, or something like that. It’s great. I love when they get me the ball, I love to get the ball.”

Bell was the beneficiary of 14 of UConn’s 20 pass completions. The lack of distribution didn’t bother Mora, however.

“I love [that he had 14 catches] because he’s an outstanding football player for us,” head coach Jim Mora said postgame. “He makes plays. We want to make sure we can spread the ball around as well.”

After the first quarter, Connecticut led 10-0, which would be their largest lead of the day up until the fourth quarter.

A Slow Second Quarter

After scoring 10 points in the opening frame, the Huskies offense was very quiet in the second quarter, while Ball State cut into the deficit. In the first drive of the second quarter, Ball State responded with a masterclass of their own. A six play, 83-yard drive completed with a trick-play touchdown. Quarterback Kiael Kelly pitched it back to wide receiver Qian Magwood, who threw it to Kelly for the touchdown.

Despite throwing an interception for a second consecutive game, Kelly felt more in control of the game. For a UConn defense that heavily minimized Steve Angeli for three quarters two weeks back, Kelly was impressive. He scrambled outside the pocket to extend plays, was on the same page as his receivers, and stepped up when the Cardinals needed him most in the second half. After scoring just three points in two games against FBS opponents, Kelly took his game to the next level against Connecticut.

However, UConn linebacker Tyquan King never viewed him as a challenge. “Not difficult [to contain him] at all,” King said. “Just do your job, keep your leverage, and everything will be good.”

Kelly attempted 24 passes after throwing just 47 times in the previous three games combined. He finished 17-of-24 for 209 yards and a touchdown, and ran for an additional 27 yards on the ground. Running back Qua Ashley ran it 18 times for 86 yards and a touchdown, continuing his success on the ground. As a team, the Cardinals ran for 176 yards.

UConn and Ball State would make some noise in the upcoming drives, though neither team added to their total. The Cardinals came close before the end of the half, benefiting from the Huskies using multiple timeouts to try and get the ball back. But they weren’t able to drive deep into opposing territory.

At the half, the Huskies led 10-7.

UConn Closed It Out

The energy at The Rent wasn’t all-too up-beat, as the Huskies led by just three points at halftime against a team in which they were projected to clobber by about three touchdowns. But in the second half, the Huskies dialed in, and started to pull away.

After the Cardinals punted on the opening drive of the half, the Huskies put on a clinic: a touchdown on a 14 play, 60-yard drive where wide receiver Terrence Smith crossed the pylon on a jet sweep. This came off of yet another fourth down masterclass, where Fagnano found Shamar Porter for 33 yards on 4th-&-6 just one play removed from missing him in the end zone.

While Fagnano didn’t have the 300-yard day he had against Delaware, he did exactly what he needed to do. He managed the game, didn’t turn the ball over, didn’t take a sack, and put his fellow stars in a position to thrive. It was the same methodical, controlled Fagnano we’ve seen before. He finished 20-of-30 for 181 yards and a touchdown, and took off four times for an additional 15.

After another Ball State field goal–where they passed up on an opportunity go for it on fourth down and cut the deficit back to three–UConn drove down the field again. This time, Cam Edwards broke off a big run on 4th & 1, rushing 32 yards down the near sideline to give the Huskies a two-touchdown lead.

“In those types of situations, I’m trying to put the game to bed,” Edwards said postgame. “I work very hard, and I feel like I deserve those type of [opportunities]. I’m gonna continue doing that.”

Last Ditch Effort from Ball State

The Cardinals refused to give up. Even though they could only muster 10 points in the first 56 minutes, they found a way to keep themselves in the game with two touchdowns in the final minutes. Huskies fans were filled with fears of deja vu as the Cardinals cut the deficit to seven with a touchdown with just over 3:30 to play. UConn more or less put it away with Edwards’ 67-yard rushing touchdown just after the two minute warning, but the Cardinals refused to go away.

Ball State had three timeouts, and drove down the field. The offense had found its groove, and finished with over 400 yards. Kelly orchestrated a beautiful touchdown drive. Although, first-year head coach Mike Uremovich refused to use one of his three remaining timeouts, as the clock ticked down to nine seconds by the time Ball State cut it to six.

Bell recovered the onside kick, and the Huskies sealed the deal. But the Cardinals were closer than some may want to admit, and not even the Huskies 31 points could alleviate the glaring concerns for Connecticut’s defense.

Biggest Positive

The penalties, or lack thereof. UConn was penalized just once in this football game, which seemed to be uncharacteristic compared to who the Huskies were in previous matchups. They were flagged seven times for 67 yards against Delaware, four times against Syracuse and six times against Central Connecticut State.

“Unfortunately one of those penalties came at a critical moment,” Mora explained. “It’s really critical that we maintain that discipline. I was proud of the way that they were able to play tough, physical, violent, aggressive and not have a lot of penalties. Key thing now is to keep doing that, and to maintain that momentum.”

Both of UConn’s penalties were holding calls on offensive lineman Brady Wayburn, the redshift freshman.

Meanwhile, Ball State was flagged four times, which included roughing the passer on third down that led to the Huskies second touchdown.

Glaring Negative

The defense in the final minutes of the fourth quarter was a big negative for UConn. This season, the Huskies defense—surrounded by a relatively new cast in 2025—has shown reasons for promise in the first 50 minutes of games. But again down the stretch, UConn allowed two touchdowns, and nearly fell apart like they have before. Ball State hadn’t scored an FBS touchdown prior to Saturday’s game, and scored three vital ones on the road in UConn. But this came after over 50 minutes of crisp, high-level football where they forced the Cardinals into extremely tough situations.

“My biggest concerns…two minute defense,” Mora shared postgame. “We have not yet got a stop in a two minute situation. It makes a game that shouldn’t be close, close. That’s my number one concern.”

“We gotta finish plays,” King shared postgame. “They shouldn’t have gotten there it should have been the end of the game.”

This has intensified concerns overall defensively. Defensive coordinator Matt Brock turned things around in year one, as Connecticut’s defense was one of the best in the country. But in 2025, those strong suits aren’t as apparent. The Huskies aren’t quick to give up hope, though.

“We just gotta keep working. Our defense is gonna figure it out on there end,” Bell said. “We got the win and that’s the biggest thing.”

What We Learned about UConn

Skyler Bell is miles better than anyone else in the pass catching room for UConn. Heading into 2025, the variety of receiving options were vast. Options such as Raymello Murphy, Shamar Porter, Jackson Harper, and tight ends Louis Hansen and Alex Honig all bring invaluable skills to the table. But Bell has, without-a-doubt, elevated himself far above the rest. After Saturday’s games, Bell leads all FBS receivers in receptions, and is second in yardage. His exceptional performance has become an expectation. A near historic day in the receiving room is just another day at work for the five-year collegiate veteran.

There’s a reason why he was a highly touted prospect in the portal before returning to UConn. He was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl Preseason Watch List, the Senior Bowl 300 Watch List, The League Winners Watch List, and was one of just 47 players named as a Biletnikoff award watch list. He checks every box. And if his stout play continues, he may find himself a star on a P4 school sooner rather than later.

“I came back trying to dominate every week,” Bell said. “And just coming out and helping this team win games. Keep stacking days, the yards and stuff is great but just keep getting wins.”

UConn Football: Other Key Takeaways for the Huskies

Both special teams units played well. UConn punter Connor Stutz finished with two punts inside the 50-yard line, which included one pinned down at the one. He was efficient in this matchup, and made life for challenging for an offense with glaring limitations. For Ball State, punter Adam Saul pinned two punts inside the 20, with one going for 55 yards to change field position.

UConn used a variety of pass catchers offensively. For an offense with a bevy of weapons at its disposal, UConn went deep into the back of tricks. They targeted and completed a pass to third-string tight end Nader Chirichi. With Mel Brown sidelined, wide receiver Terrence Smith again took on a focal role in the backfield and scored a touchdown in the third quarter. And perhaps the biggest standout, wide receiver Josh Neider, snagged a massive fourth down pass on the Huskies lone touchdown drive of the first half. Jim Mora’s wife knew the decision would pay off.

“My wife just raised her hand, she said I told you so,” Mora joked. “Late at night she told me you should get the ball to John Neider. I think he’s a really good player. And she was right.”

Huskies allowed zero sacks to a formidable Cardinals pass rush. Ball State entered the game as one of the country’s best in getting to the passer. Their ten sacks through three games ranked them 16th among all FBS teams in QB takedowns. Linebacker Nick Voorhis also entered the game eighth in the FBS with 3.5 sacks. But just like he does best, Fagnano didn’t allow the pressure to phase him, as he made conscious decisions to get the ball out quick and avoid taking a sack.

Standout of the Game: Camryn Edwards

Senior running back Camryn Edwards put on a masterclass on Saturday. With Mel Brown out for at least six weeks with a broken collarbone, Edwards stepped up as the clear RB1 and thrived.

“I love Mel. Unfortunately that happened to him but I have the mentality of it’s next guy up,” Edwards shared. “I have to continue treating my body and make sure I’m ready every Saturday.”

Edwards ran it 24 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns, with two big touchdowns in the fourth quarter that solidified a victory. It was by far his highest rushing total in a single game in his career. Even while receiving over 70-percent of the rushing workload, it was his mind-blowing efficiency (8.1 yards per carry) that was most conspicuous.

“He came here, he was a little bit immature, I didn’t think he could make it. [But] he grew up fast,” Mora said. “We go as he goes. Mentally and physically he is tough, resilient. He’s a special kid and he’s so much fun to be around.”

After his standout performance, Edwards is now sixth in the FBS in rushing yardage, and is on pace to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing before November. In a season where many fans and analysts were expecting a by-committee backfield, Edwards has stood far above the rest.

“When the moment presents itself I try to show up,” Edwards said.

UConn Huskies: Stat To Know

The UConn Huskies was 5-for-5 on fourth down in this football game, playing with fire and urgency but finding success. They scored two touchdowns on fourth down opportunities and extended two key drives with a conversion. While UConn was just 5-for-15 on third down, they took what was for the taking on fourth down. Mora instilled confidence across his entire offense, which found a rhythm behind his aggressive play calling.

“We have the analytics book, we spend a lot of money on it so we may as well follow what the book says,” Mora joked. “You’re 1-2, you’ve lost two disappointing games. You have to do something to generate momentum, enthusiasm. I think it shows them that I have faith in them.”

Ball State converted on both of its fourth down attempts as well. But they turned down many opportunities to take more points, and played with a more conservative, laid back approach. UConn didn’t, and willed its way to victory because of it.

UConn Football: What’s Next for the Huskies?

The Huskies prepare for another MAC showdown next week, as they travel to Buffalo to face the Bulls. While UConn was the beneficiary of a 47-3 smackdown against Buffalo last season at home, the Bulls are improved, and will pose a threat at UB Stadium. The early odds give UConn a favorable edge, but it certainly won’t be an easy task. Another added element: UConn prepares to face Ta’Quan Roberson at quarterback, who led the Huskies during their 2023 campaign.

Final Assessment

This was a must-win for Connecticut, and while it wasn’t pretty, it was a victory. UConn Huskies fans are reminded weekly just how incredible Skyler Bell and Cam Edwards have become for the football team. Statistically, they’ve been two of the best skill position talents in all of college football. UConn needs to fix things in the final minutes defensively, if not wins will be hard to come by. Ball State is also a weaker opponent; we’ll learn more about the Huskies in their battle in Buffalo next week. But Saturday’s performance sure was important, and should help get things back on track.

“Our motto this week was starting fast, intensity, effort, and finish,” Bell explained. “We have to be able to finish games. Last week we didn’t do that. Coming into and having that mindset to finish games regardless of who is on the field is big for us.”