(WFSB) - UConn defeated Florida Atlantic 48-45 Saturday, marking the first time the Huskies have won nine games in consecutive seasons.
The Huskies scored the winning touchdown with 28 seconds remaining when Cam Edwards ran in from the one-yard line to cap a season-defining drive.
Running back Mel Brown returned to action after missing nine games. UConn's first drive resulted in a Chris Freeman field goal for a 3-0 lead after seven plays covering 54 yards.
Florida Atlantic responded with a 49-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 midway through the first quarter. UConn receiver Skylar Bell was injured and helped off the field during the Huskies' second drive, but the injury was not serious.
Quarterback Joe Fagnano connected with John Neider for a 24-yard touchdown to put UConn ahead 10-3. On the Huskies' next possession, Fagnano found Shemar Porter for 56 yards and his first touchdown of the season, extending the lead to 17-3 late in the first quarter.
Malachi McLean intercepted a pass and UConn capitalized when Fagnano threw a 35-yard touchdown to Alex Honig, making it 24-3 still in the first quarter. The 24 points marked the most UConn has scored in a first quarter this season.
FAU opened the second quarter with a 39-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 24-10. The Owls scored again on a quarterback scramble to make it 24-17. UConn ended the half with a field goal for a 27-17 halftime lead. The Huskies gained 334 yards in the first half.
FAU took the second half kickoff into the end zone to cut UConn's lead to 27-24, then followed with a 90-yard touchdown to take a 31-27 advantage.
The Huskies put together a touchdown drive to retake the lead when Edwards scored from the three-yard line, making it 34-31 after three quarters.
UConn started the fourth quarter with an Owl fumble and turned it into a 44-yard touchdown run by Brown. The Huskies led 41-31.
FAU scored with seven minutes remaining to make it 41-38, then took the lead again on a quarterback keeper with 2:11 to go.
The Huskies had time for one final drive. They converted a fourth-and-one to keep the drive alive before Edwards scored the winning touchdown with 28 seconds left for a 48-45 lead.
FAU missed a last-second field goal that would have tied the game.