College Park, MD (Sports Network) - Lyle McCombs rushed for 94 yards and a
touchdown as the Connecticut Huskies held on to defeat the Maryland Terrapins,
24-21, in non-conference action at Byrd Stadium.
Scott McCummings added 44 yards and a score on the ground for the Huskies
(2-1), who bounced back after a 10-7 loss to North Carolina State last week.
Chandler Whitmer completed 10-of-16 passes for 68 yards and added 17 yards
rushing as well.
For Maryland (2-1), Perry Hillis went just 10-of-24 for 109 yards with an
interception, although he did have two total touchdowns. Wes Brown rushed for
74 yards and a score, while Stefon Diggs had three catches and led all
receivers with 57 yards.
The Huskies got the scoring started midway through the first quarter when Nick
Williams returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown.
UConn extended its lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on a McCummings
three-yard touchdown run.
Maryland responded on its ensuing possession with an eight-play drive that
lasted less than two minutes, capping it off with a 19-yard rushing score by
Wes Brown. The score remained 14-7 in UConn's favor until halftime.
The Huskies added a 34-yard field goal from Chad Christen late in the third
quarter to put them up by 10.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Hillis connected for a 29-yard touchdown
pass to Diggs to bring the Terrapins to within three, 17-14. The score
punctuated a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
UConn brought its lead back to double digits later in the quarter following an
11-yard touchdown run from McCombs.
The Terrapins would not go away quietly, as a Hillis 10-yard touchdown run
with 4:39 left in regulation made their deficit just three, 24-21.
After forcing a UConn punt, Maryland had the ball with a chance to put
together one more drive, but turned the ball over on downs as UConn held on to
win.
The Huskies' defense made a huge difference, holding Maryland to just 205
total yards. Yawin Smallwood and Sio Moore each recorded three sacks.
GAME NOTES:
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