NCAA Week 3 Miami (OH) Rallies Past UConn 24-21 in Homecoming Thriller

Final: Miami (OH) 24, UConn 21 Saturday, September 26, 2026Fred C. Yager Stadium — Oxford, Ohio

OXFORD, Ohio — Miami (OH) overcame a two-touchdown first-quarter deficit and received a clutch late field goal from Brady Stidham to defeat UConn 24-21 Saturday afternoon at Fred C. Yager Stadium.

The RedHawks fell behind 14-0 before scoring 21 of the game’s next 28 points, then broke a 21-21 tie with Stidham’s 33-yard field goal with 1:58 remaining. Miami’s defense held on during UConn’s final possession to secure the three-point Homecoming victory.

Both teams finished the afternoon at 2-2.

Quarterback David McComb delivered the biggest performance of the day for Miami, completing 19 of 29 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also scored on the ground as the RedHawks generated 414 total yards.

UConn Storms Out to a 14-0 Lead

UConn couldn’t have asked for a much better start.

The Huskies marched 75 yards on their opening possession, with quarterback Kalieb Osborne connecting with Javon Brown for a seven-yard touchdown to put UConn ahead 7-0.

After the Huskies’ defense forced Miami off the field, Osborne produced one of the game’s biggest plays.

Facing fourth-and-1 at the Miami 38, Osborne kept the football and broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run, extending UConn’s advantage to 14-0 midway through the opening quarter.

Osborne proved dangerous with both his arm and legs throughout the game. He finished with 215 passing yards and a touchdown while leading UConn with 84 rushing yards on 13 carries and another score.

But after dominating the first quarter, UConn couldn’t put Miami away.

McComb Leads the Comeback

Miami’s offense finally came alive during the second quarter.

McComb engineered an eight-play, 90-yard drive and finished it himself with a 10-yard touchdown run, cutting UConn’s lead to 14-7.

Then came the play that completely changed the momentum.

With less than two minutes remaining before halftime, McComb found tight end Brendan Loftus downfield. Loftus made a spectacular one-handed grab and turned it into a 57-yard touchdown, completing an 87-yard scoring drive and tying the game at 14.

Loftus finished with three receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, averaging 24 yards per catch.

UConn had an opportunity to retake the lead before halftime, but Jack O’Connor’s 46-yard field-goal attempt went wide right.

After being outscored 14-0 in the opening quarter, Miami had answered with 14 unanswered points of its own.

Miami Takes Its First Lead

The RedHawks continued to build momentum in the third quarter.

McComb made another major play with his legs, scrambling for 32 yards to move Miami into UConn territory. He eventually found Scoop Smith for an 11-yard touchdown, giving Miami its first lead of the afternoon at 21-14.

At that point, the RedHawks had scored 21 consecutive points after falling behind 14-0.

UConn responded.

Osborne connected with Shamar Porter for 53 yards, putting the Huskies deep in Miami territory. Cyncir Bowers finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run with 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

The extra point tied the game at 21 heading into the fourth.

Turnover Sets Up Winning Drive

With the game still tied during the fourth quarter, the Miami defense delivered one of the game’s defining moments.

CJ Young intercepted Osborne, giving the RedHawks possession at the UConn 44-yard line.

CJ Young

Miami faced additional adversity when McComb was forced out of the game with an injury, leaving backup quarterback Caleb Heavner to handle the crucial late possession.

Heavner responded by completing all three of his passes and helping Miami methodically move into scoring position. The RedHawks converted a critical fourth-and-short during an 11-play drive that consumed 6:49.

That put the game on the foot of Stidham.

The freshman kicker drilled a 33-yard field goal with 1:58 remaining, putting Miami ahead 24-21.

UConn still had one final opportunity.

The Huskies moved across midfield and reached Miami territory, but the RedHawks defense forced four consecutive incompletions to close the victory.

McComb Powers Miami Offense

David McComb

McComb was the difference-maker for a Miami offense that finished with 414 total yards, including 325 through the air.

His final numbers:

• 19-of-29 passing
• 312 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 33 rushing yards
• 1 rushing touchdown

Miami also controlled the football for more than 32 minutes and committed only two penalties for 30 yards.

UConn produced 377 total yards, with Osborne accounting for much of the Huskies’ offense. In addition to his 215 passing yards, Osborne rushed 13 times for 84 yards.

Porter led UConn’s receivers with 61 yards, while Brown caught four passes for 44 yards and the opening touchdown.

By the Numbers

UConn

• 21 points
• 377 total yards
• 215 passing yards
• 162 rushing yards
• 17 first downs
• 2 turnovers

Miami (OH)

• 24 points
• 414 total yards
• 325 passing yards
• 89 rushing yards
• 20 first downs
• 1 turnover

Miami also held a 32:42 to 27:18 advantage in time of possession.

The Final Word

For the first 15 minutes, it looked like UConn might run away with the game.

Instead, Miami showed its resilience.

The RedHawks erased a 14-point deficit behind McComb’s three-touchdown performance, got a critical fourth-quarter interception from Young and trusted a freshman kicker with the game on the line.

Stidham delivered.

Miami’s 24-21 victory was also significant historically: it was the first football meeting between Miami (OH) and UConn, giving the RedHawks the early 1-0 advantage in the series.

For UConn, the defeat will be particularly difficult after building an early two-touchdown advantage. The Huskies had opportunities late, but Miami made the decisive plays when the game was on the line.

For the RedHawks, it was a Homecoming comeback to remember.

Final Score: Miami (OH) 24, UConn 21

Player of the Game: David McComb — 19-of-29, 312 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD

David McComb