East Hartford, CT (Sports Network) - Chandler Whitmer threw for 227 yards and a
touchdown to lead the Connecticut Huskies over the Buffalo Bulls, 24-17, in a
non-conference bout at Rentschler Field.
Whitmer completed 15-of-22 passing attempts to accompany a strong running
performance by UConn (3-2). Lyle McCombs rushed for 97 yards on 29 attempts
while Martin Hyppolite had 60 yards on six attempts. Each player had a rushing
touchdown as well.
For the Bulls (1-3), Alex Zordich threw for 220 yards and a touchdown with an
interception while completing 13-of-30 passes. Zordich also rushed for 76 yards
on 14 carries. Alex Neutz reeled in a game-high six catches for 90 yards in the
losing effort. Brandon Murie ran for 55 yards and a touchdown on 18 rushes. He
also had one catch for 54 yards and touchdown. Murie's touchdowns were the
first two of his career.
The Huskies struck first when Chad Christen kicked in a 29-yard field goal to
put his team up 3-0.
The Bulls struck back with a four-yard touchdown run by Murie which capped off
a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
Whitmer then led his UConn offense 92 yards down the field on 10 plays. He
found Griffin for a 36-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead, 10-7.
To keep the offense rolling, Hyppolite made his way down the sideline for a 50-
yard touchdown run that increased the Huskies' lead to ten going into halftime.
UConn continued to extend its advantage after the break as Lyle McCombs ran in
for a two-yard touchdown making the score, 24-7 with just over five minutes
left in the third frame.
Buffalo begin its come back near the end of the third quarter when Murie scored
on a 50-yard touchdown reception. The first receiving touchdown of Murie's
career cut UConn's lead to 24-14.
The Bulls continued to cut at the Huskies' advantage as Patrick Clarke hit a
44-yard field goal. The Bulls had one last chance as their offense took the
field with 1:27 left, but they turned the ball over on downs which put an end
to the threat of a comeback.
The evenly matched contest was reflected in the yardage battle, as Buffalo
gained 361 yards to UConn's 360.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network