UConn rallies past USF, wins on Teggart FG as time runs out

East Hartford - Finally, UConn had some last-minute drama go its way.

Dave Teggart kicked a 42-yard field goal on the game's final play as the Huskies, who lost four games earlier this season in the final minute, rallied to defeat South Florida in the snow and wind at Rentschler Field, 29-27, before 35,624.

South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels had given the Bulls (7-5, 3-4 Big East) a 27-26 lead with an 8-yard touchdown run with 38 seconds left, but UConn quarterback Zach Frazer quickly passed the Huskies into field goal range with five seconds remaining and Teggart nailed the game-winner as time expired.

"It's good to be on this side of it for a change," Huskies coach Randy Edsall said.

UConn (7-5, 3-4) finished its season on a three-game winning streak and will appear in its third straight bowl game. The Huskies will find out their bowl destination, most likely the PapaJohn's.com Bowl in Birmingham,Ala., on Jan. 2, today.

"Wherever it is, we're thankful, especially after all we've been through this year," Edsall said. "It's a tremendous accomplishment for this group of young men."

UConn began the game-winning drive from its 44, and after throwing an incompletion on first down, Frazer completed passes to tight end Ryan Griffen (11 yards), tailback Andre Dixon (2) and wide receiver Isaiah Moore (14). Dixon than ran for a yard to set up Teggart in the middle of the field and Teggart did the rest.

"If I didn't have confidence, I wouldn't have put him in right there," Edsall said. "I wish David had as much confidence in himself as I do in him."

Frazier completed 20 of 30 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns while Marcus Easley had a career-best eight catches for 122 yards. It was enough to overcome the play of Daniels, who rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns while completing 11 of 16 passes for 160 yards.

UConn had taken a 26-21 lead with 4:02 left on Dixon's second touchdown run of the day from 2 yards out, but Daniels drove the Bulls 56 yards for the go-ahead score that included a key fourth-and-2 completion to Jesse Hester that was good for 20 yards to the UConn 2.

The Huskies had taken a seemingly comfortable 20-7 lead on Frazer's 5-yard TD pass to Isaiah Moore with 6:18 left in the third quarter, but Daniels ran 2 yards for a TD to cut the deficit to 20-14 with 3:19 left in the third quarter and then broke free 27 yards for a score to give USF a 21-20 lead with 8:05 remaining in the game.

This time, Frazer went to work and marched the Huskies 59 yards to regain the lead.

The Huskies almost let South Florida off the hook in the first half, too, failing to capitalize on a Scott Lutrus fumble recovery at the USF 34 in the second quarter and then allowing the Bulls to drive 80 yards to take a 7-6 lead with 2:33 left in the half - when Frazer led UConn's two-minute offense to near perfection and put the Huskies back in front.

Mike Ford's 14-yard touchdown run had given USF its lead, but reserve tight end Corey Manning gave UConn good field position by returning a squib kick 16 yards to the Husky 49. Frazer then went to work, although he had to convert a third-and-8 pass to Easley for 16 yards to keep the drive alive.

He went right back to Easley for 12 more yards and a first down to the South Florida 21, then found a wide-open Easley two plays later for a 21-yard touchdown and a 13-6 halftime lead (Teggart pulled his first extra-point attempt wide but an offsides call gave him a second chance and he converted it).

The Huskies had the ball for only 9:49 of the half, but Frazer was solid, completing 7 of 9 passes for 113 yards. Easley caught five of those passes for 106 yards.

It took UConn just two plays on its second drive of the night to get on the board, and once again Easley came up with a big play. On first down from the UConn 44, Frazer faked a handoff to Dixon and went up top to Easley, who got behind the South Florida secondary and made a diving catch at the USF 12.

Dixon took a pitch on the next play and turned around the right corner for a touchdown with 4:37 left in the quarter, although holder Desi Cullen couldn't handle Derek Chard's low snap and the Huskies failed to convert the extra point.

c.banning@theday.com