CT vs. Marshall: St. Petersburg Bowl Recap, Score

Marshall has a shot at another 10-victory season and CT can finish with a winning record for the first time in five years.

UConn’s field goal came on a 52-yard kick by Bobby Puyol that ricocheted up in the air after hitting the crossbar.

Marshall fell short of a goal of repeating as Conference USA champions, but have an opportunity to finish with at least 10 wins for the third straight season under coach Doc Holliday.

Litton completed 23 of 34 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown as Marshall beat CT 16-10 in the St. Petersburg Bowl on Saturday.

After Smith’s third field goal of the game, UConn had 1:44 and no timeouts to score a touchdown and possibly steal the bowl win.

Deandre Reaves got the Herd going in the first quarter, taking a punt on UConn’s side of the field and running it back 26 yards to the 20.

The Thundering Herd also failed to increase a 13-7 lead on their next possession when Smith missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with less than 3 minutes left in the third.

The Thundering Herd’s defense was the real start, as it held the Huskies for 213 total yards.

Connecticut: QB Bryant Shirreffs has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,992 yards, nine TDs and seven interceptions; RB Arkeel Newsome has rushed for 760 yards and six TDs, plus 40 receptions for 432 yards and three TDs, and WR Noel Thomas has 54 catches for 719 yards and three TDs.

Marshall took a 7-0 lead 7 minutes into the game when Litton, who played in high school in Tampa, threw a 16-yard TD pass to Ryan Yurachek. “When you get to a bowl you want to play the best, and everyone talks about UConn’s defense”. Johnson carried the ball 10 times for 38 yards.

Both teams have enjoyed a week of fun in the Florida sun, while also focussing on what they want to accomplish on game day. Out of time, the Herd settled for Smith’s 29-yard field goal on the half’s final play.