EAST HARTFORD (AP) — Kalieb Osborne, a transfer from Toledo named starting quarterback only on Friday, threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more to lead UConn to a 56-7 season-opening victory over FCS-member Lafayette on Saturday under first-year head coach Jason Candle.
Osborne found Javon Brown over the middle for a 24-yard touchdown on UConn's first possession, and added an 18-yard connection with Kenji Christian midway through the first quarter. Osborne's 9-yard keeper made it 21-0 with 1:43 left in the first.
The Huskies added 14 points in each of the next two quarters for a 49-0 lead.
Osborne was 19-of-26 passing for 265 yards with an interception. He carried it eight times for 90 yards. Trey Cornist, Kenji Christian and Cyncir Bowers each had 40-plus yards rushing and a touchdown for UConn, which improved to 15-9 in season-openers since its move to FBS.
Brown, another player who came to UConn with Candle from Toledo, caught six passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Lafayette, which was looking for its first win over an FBS opponent since topping Rutgers in 1971, was outgained 671-209. The Leopards got on the board with 44 seconds left in the fourth after a 75-yard drive.
Those 671 total yards set a school record for UConn.
In addition to a new coaching staff, UConn added 87 players to a program that returned only one starter: offensive lineman Ty Chan.
Up next
Lafayette: Hosts Marist on Sept. 12.
UConn: Stays home to play Maryland on Sept. 12.
