Big East Game Recap: UConn 37, UMass 0

The Connecticut Huskies inaugurated their neighboring Massachusetts Minutemen into the FBS with a stinging 37-0 loss Aug. 30 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. The Huskies scored on offense, defense and special teams (box score).

UConn held their opponents to a meager 59 yards of total offense (including minus one yard rushing) and just three first downs. As the New Haven Register’s Jim Fuller put it:

Of all the numbers to crunch off Thursday night's season-opening 37-0 win none may be more impressive as 38 as in that UMass got no further than its own 38 yard line in being shutout for the first time in 199 games.

UConn quarterback Chandler Whitmer showed great promise in his debut, connecting on 15 of 25 passes for 219 yards. He threw two interceptions though, one of them of SportsCenter caliber, and had a tendency to telegraph passes by locking in on receivers.

All American running back Lyle McCombs rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown but coughed up a fumble on the inside the UMass five yard line.

UConn hosts the N.C. State Wolfpack Sept. 8.

Hartford Courant: UConn Pounds UMass, 37-0

Connecticut Post: UConn dominates UMass in 37-0 rout

Springfield Republican: UMass football drops FBS opener 37-0 to UConn