Carder Does It Again

Western Michigan’s Alex Carder didn’t throw for more than 400 yards this time. He did complete 18 of 34 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown before leaving the game with a hand injury. And for the second year in a row, the Broncos (2-2) defeated the Huskies 30-24 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich.

UConn’s highly ranked defense hadn’t given up more than 21 points in a game this season but Western Michigan led 17-7 at halftime. The Huskies (2-2) battled back with 10 points in the fourth quarter – after Carder left the game.

But after the Huskies pulled within 24-17, Western linebacker Desmond Bozeman blitzed UConn quarterback Chandler Whitmer and forced a fumble just before Whitmer was about to pass. Bozeman was able to pick up the loose ball and race 53 yards for a touchdown with 7:12 left in the game. That extended WMU’s lad to 30-17.

Whitmer directed a nice drive and completed a 7-yard TD pass to Geremy Davis with 54 seconds left in the game. Chad Christen bounced an almost perfect onside kick after the touchdown but the Broncos recovered and ran out the clock.

UConn finished with 425 yards offense to 330 for WMU. The Huskies passes for 333 yards and Whitmer was 28-for-44 with three touchdowns – but also one interception.

The Huskies wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule Sept. 29 at Rentschler Field against Buffalo.