Big East News Articles

Late score gives Huskies victory over Commodores 40-21

STORRS, Conn. -- Connecticut captured the lead for good in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown pass from Cody Endres to Corey Manning as the Huskies defeated Vanderbilt 40-21 on Saturday at Rentschler Field.

Jordan Todman had a big game for Connecticut (3-2), as the junior running back ran for 190 yards with two touchdowns and caught a 12-yard pass.

The Huskies turned the win into a rout in the fourth quarter when they scored nine points. In the quarter, the Huskies scored on a 44-yard interception return by Blidi Wreh-Wilson after he picked off a Larry Smith pass and a safety.

Warren Norman was a bright spot for the Commodores (1-3) in the loss. The five-foot-10, 192-pound running back had 163 return yards and ran for 26 yards.

The Commodores were winning 21-14 in the second before Connecticut went on a 26-point run to take a 19-point lead in the fourth.

The Huskies' scoring plays also included Todman runs of one and 11 yards and a six-yard touchdown pass from Endres to Kashif Moore and a 25-yard field goal by Dave Teggart.

Vanderbilt's scoring plays included an eight-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Brandon Barden, a 48-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Udom Umoh and a 44-yard Jonathan Krause run.

Wreh-Wilson had one interception and one fumble recovery for the Huskies.

Endres went 21-of-30 for 171 yards and threw two touchdowns for the Huskies. Endres threw one interception.

Smith went 15-of-24 for 158 yards and threw two touchdowns for the Commodores. He also ran for 65 yards. Smith threw two interceptions.

Vanderbilt next plays on Saturday, Oct. 9 against Eastern Michigan on ESPU.

Fourth Quarter

STORRS, Conn. -- Brandon Barden caught two passes for 14 yards for Vanderbilt in the fourth, but the Commodores fell still further back in the end to lose to Connecticut 40-21.

Jordan Todman ran for 35 yards for the Huskies.

Connecticut had a good passing defense, allowing 21 yards passing.

Scoring plays for Connecticut included a 44-yard interception return by cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and a safety.

Larry Smith ran for 100 yards in the game for Vanderbilt.

The Huskies went on a 26-point run to close the game.

Third Quarter

STORRS, Conn. -- Connecticut now leads 31-21 over Vanderbilt going into the fourth because of the Huskies' strong running game in the third. The Huskies ran for 65 yards on 13 carries. They also threw for 45 yards on 6-of-9 passing, with one touchdown and no interceptions.

Warren Norman ran for 18 yards for the Commodores, and Jordan Todman ran for 65 yards for Connecticut.

The Huskies played solid defense. They allowed 44 total yards, including 21 yards rushing and 23 yards passing for Vanderbilt.

The Huskies scored after a 54-yard kick return by Nick Williams set-up Connecticut to start the quarter in good field position at Vanderbilt's 41-yard line. It then drove 41 yards on six plays and scored when Cody Endres threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Corey Manning on second-and-goal.

The Huskies drove 46 yards in 10 plays. The drive finished when Dave Teggart kicked a 25-yard field goal.

Todman has run for 155 yards in the game for Connecticut.

The Commodores have given up the last 17 points.

Connecticut will start the fourth quarter with the ball on its 30-yard line.

Second Quarter

STORRS, Conn. -- Vanderbilt is now locked in a 21-21 tie game going into the half, thanks to the Commodores' big play offense in the in the second. Long scoring plays included a 48-yard touchdown pass on first-down from Larry Smith to Udom Umoh and a 44-yard Jonathan Krause run on first-down.

Connecticut's effective offensive attack brought in 61 passing yards and 68 rushing yards.

Umoh caught a 48-yard touchdown pass for the Commodores, and Jordan Todman ran for 67 yards with one touchdown for the Huskies.

Vanderbilt scored after a 72-yard kick return by Warren Norman set the Commodores up in good field position at Connecticut's 24-yard line. They then drove 24 yards on five plays and scored when Smith threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Barden on third-and-5.

The Huskies tied the game with a nine-play, 73-yard drive that culminated when Cody Endres threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Kashif Moore on third-and-5.

First Quarter

STORRS, Conn. -- Vanderbilt goes into the second trailing 7-0 in spite of the Commodores' strong running game in the first. The Commodores ran for 79 yards on eight carries. Vanderbilt quarterback Larry Smith also threw for 48 yards on 4-of-6 passing, with no interceptions.

Vanderbilt's defense shut down Connecticut's running game, allowing only 23 yards rushing on nine attempts.

Jordan Todman ran for 23 yards with one touchdown and caught a 12-yard pass for the Huskies.

Connecticut scored after a 24-yard fumble return by cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson set the Huskies up in good field position at the Commodores' 17-yard line. They then drove 17 yards on three plays. A key moment on the drive for the Huskies was when a 12-yard pass on second-and-11 from Cody Endres to Todman from Vanderbilt's 13-yard line. Connecticut eventually scored when Todman crossed the goal line on a one-yard run on first-and-goal.

Vanderbilt will start the second quarter with the ball on its 31-yard line.

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