Late fumble recovery clinches UConn’s 37-34 come-from-behind win over the visiting Duke

By Canadian Press on November 8, 2025.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Joe Fagnano found Skyler Bell for a go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes to play and a late fumble recovery secured UConn’s 37-34 win over Duke on Saturday in front of the Huskies’ largest home crowd since 2013.

Fagnano was 6 for 7 on the drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bell with 1:58 left. After a review, Fagnano’s two-point conversion run was good to put the Huskies up 37-34.

Duke was driving to try to force overtime, but UConn’s Bryun Parham stripped Duke quarterback Darian Mensah of the ball and Trent Jones recovered to secure UConn’s second win over an ACC team this season.

Duke looked like a different team offensively in the third quarter, scoring on both of its drives to take a 28-23 lead. Nate Sheppard had a 3-yard scoring run. The Blue Devils took the lead as Mensah rolled out and found Landen King in the corner of the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

UConn (7-3) converted on a fake punt to set up a 3-yard scoring run by Cam Edwards with 10:48 remaining to put UConn ahead 29-28.

Fagnano threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns for UConn (7-3). Bell finished with 11 catches for 87 yards and two scores, and Reymello Murphy added 110 yards receiving.

Mensah threw for 222 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for Duke (5-4). Sheppard rushed for 100 yards and two scores.

UConn’s defense came up with a pair of interceptions in the first half — both leading to Chris Freeman field goals as the Huskies led 20-14 at halftime.

The takeaway

Duke: The Blue Devils are minus-nine in turnover margin in their four losses this season.

UConn: Fagnano has not thrown an interception this season. He did have his pass picked off on a two-point play with 10:48 left to play. It does not count as an interception since it happened on a special teams conversion attempt.

Up next

Duke: Hosts Virginia on Saturday.

UConn: Hosts Air Force on Saturday.

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Jim Fuller, The Associated Press

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