Connecticut's Ryan Crozier (63) raises Connecticut's Ron Johnson into the air after Johnson scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maine, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Bobby Puyol hit a 37-yard field goal with 11 seconds left and UConn avoided a season-opening upset with a 24-21 win over Maine from the Football Championship Subdivision on Thursday night.
UConn defensive tackle Mike Myers blocked a 47-yard field-goal attempt with 1:48 to play and UConn drove 50 yards in nine plays for the winning score. Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs hit receiver Brian Lemelle with an 18-yard pass down the left sideline to set up the kick.
Shirreffs threw for 162 yards and ran for another 95. UConn tailback Ron Johnson added two rushing touchdowns for the Huskies.
Maine quarterback Dan Collins threw for 269 yards and two scores and receiver Jaleel Reed caught eight balls for 169 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown.
Black Bears cornerback Najee Goode Jr. forced a Shirreffs fumble and returned it 74 yards for a score that gave Maine a 21-14 fourth-quarter lead.
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This story has been corrected to show that the fumble return was 74 not 76 yards
Connecticut's Bobby Puyol, second from right, embraces teammate Tyler Davis (9) after making a field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maine, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Bobby Puyol (17), right, is congratulated by his teammates after making a field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (4) is taken down by Maine's Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga (6), right, and Maine's Austin Brown, back, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
CORRECTS TO JOE HARASYMIAK NOT JACK COSGROVE - Maine head coach Joe Harasymiak, right, looks at an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut , Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Junior Joseph (11), top left,and Vontae Diggs (13), bottom left, pursue Maine's Nigel Beckford (2) , right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Maine quarterback Dan Collins (7) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press