Joe Fagnano gets his turn, and leads UConn to victory

UConn quarterback Tucker McDonald (12) runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano (2) throws during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn celebrates at the end of the game with his team after defeating Merrimack in an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) escapes a tackle from Merrimack linebacker DJ Frazier (8) during an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut head coach Jim Mora, left, touches the helmet of defensive back Cam Chadwick (13) at the start of an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn head coach Jim Mora gestures while talking with referees during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut defensive lineman Jelani Stafford (97) celebrates at the end of the game with his team after defeating Merrimack in an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn wide receivers Zackary Drawdy (9) and Skyler Bell (1) watch play during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut tight end Alexander Honig (86) celebrates his touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Merimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn running back Durell Robinson (11) attacked from both sides any Merrimack linebacker Rajahn Cooper (31) and Merrimack defensive back Juice Ricks (21) during an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn wide receiver Ezeriah Anderson (6) scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn linebacker Jayden McDonald (10) sacks Merrimack quarterback Malakai Anthony (1) during an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut running back Jayden Brown (7) runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn head coach Jim Mora, right, talks with an official during an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn running back Cam Edwards (0) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Joe Fagnano (2) and wide receiver TJ Sheffield (8) during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn running back Cam Edwards (0) runs in a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn wide receiver TJ Sheffield (8) runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut head coach Jim Mora, left, touches the helmet of defensive back Cam Chadwick (13) at the start of an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn place kicker Chris Freeman (28) makes a field goal with punter Connor Stutz (17) holding the ball during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Members of the UConn marching band celebrate during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) escapes a tackle from Merrimack linebacker DJ Frazier (8) during an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn running back Cam Edwards (0) breaks free from a tackle attempt by Merrimack defensive back Garry Rosemond Jr. (2) and goes on to school a touchdown on the play during an NCAA college football game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) celebrates his run during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

UConn running back Cam Edwards (0) runs in a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut wide receiver Brock Montgomery (16) makes a catch during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut wide receivers Brock Montgomery (16), TJ Sheffield (8), Zackary Drawdy (9) and and Skyler Bell (1) stand together during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut wide receiver Brett Buckman (10) makes a catch during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Assistant Coach of Wide Receivers Kashif Moore, center, talks with his receivers before an NCAA college football game against Merrimack at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)