EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WNCN/AP) – Darian Mensah lost a fumble in the closing seconds, ending Duke’s chances of a rally in a 37-34 loss to Connecticut Saturday.
UConn scored with just under two minutes remaining, converting a two-point attempt to take a three-point lead and force the Blue Devils to kick a field goal to send the game to overtime.
Mensah threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns, along with two interceptions. Nate Sheppard rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns for Duke (5-4), who returns home to face Virginia next week.
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.
Joe Fagnano, who threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns for UConn (7-3), found Skyler Bell for a go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes to play.
Fagnano was 6 for 7 on the drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bell with 1:58 left.
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.