East Hartford — Jubilant fans flooded Rentschler Field, swallowing up the UConn football team after a stunning statement-making victory on Saturday.

The Huskies couldn't escape.

Nor did they try.

"That's a moment I'll probably never forget in my life," said Andrew Adams, one of the many Husky stars on Senior Night. "Great UConn fans rushing the field and everybody screaming and jumping up and down. It touches my heart."

They would have stayed all night celebrating one of the biggest victories in program history. With a 20-17 victory over previously unbeaten and 13th-ranked Houston, UConn secured its first bowl berth since 2010. It also was only the program's third win over ranked team.

"At the end of the game, to be amongst the student body and fans on the field, it is quintessential college football," coach Bob Diaco said. "It is Connecticut football. ... It was so great. I'm a little claustrophobic. I'm not a big crowd guy. They tried to mess my hair up."

Diaco's hair was about the only thing that was messed up from UConn's perspective.

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UConn's aggressive defense harassed the high-powered Cougars (10-1, 6-1) into a season-low for points and total yards (318), both well shy of their season averages of 43.5 points and 511.8 yards per game. The Huskies forced four turnovers and didn't commit any.

They overcame significant adversity, including the loss of starting quarterback Bryant Shirreffs and tight end Tommy Myers to injury in the second series of the game. Shirreffs, who took a helmet-to-helmet hit that led to the ejection of Houston's top tackler Elandon Roberts, is day to day, according to Diaco. Myers suffered a significant lower leg injury and is likely done for the season.

Yet the Huskies (6-5, 4-3) never trailed after scoring on the game's opening drive on the first of two touchdown receptions by wide receiver Noel Thomas, who hauled in a 4-yard scoring catch.

A trick play helped UConn secure the huge win.

Clinging to a 13-10 lead, Diaco inserted fullback Garrett Anderson, a former junior college quarterback, and he shocked Houston by completing a 45-yard option pass to Thomas for a touchdown.

"I was ready," Anderson said. "I had confidence that it was going to work and I knew he was going to be open. Not many people are going to expect that."

The play almost resulted in disaster.

Houston defender Matthew Adams tipped the lateral pass from Tim Boyle (12-for-22, 110 yards), who replaced Shirreffs. But the ball still made it to Anderson, who calmly delivered a strike under pressure.

"I thought it was going to be going the other way," Boyle said. "Thank God it didn't. It fell right in Garrett's hands and Garrett did the rest from there. He made a great play."

UConn's 20-10 lead lasted just 12 seconds, as Houston's Brandon Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.

The Huskies had to hold on for another nine and a half minutes. They did by handing the ball to sophomore Arkeel Newsome (32 carries, 114 yards), who helped burn time and gain valuable yards.

Still, the Cougars had two more possessions to try to either tie the game or take the lead. The first drive ended when a first down catch on fourth down was ruled out of bounds after the referees' reviewed the play.

Sophomore cornerback Jamar Summers sealed the win by intercepting Greg Ward Jr.'s underthrown pass at the UConn 29 with 55 seconds left. Two plays earlier, Ward replaced Kyle Postma who left with an apparent ankle injury.

Boyle took a knee twice to run off the final precious seconds.

The Huskies gathered near the midfield as the fans joined them for a raucous postgame celebration.

"We came here to win," said Thomas, who had seven catches for 108 yards. "It wasn't a surprise to us."

Diaco paid tribute to the seniors during his postgame remarks. The Huskies haven't had a winning season since 2010, posting only five victories in the last two seasons.

"They fought so hard," Diaco said. "They've been through so much adversity. They've been through so many struggles. They've been the heartbeat and the backbone of this team. ... Senior Day is a special moment, but it's only special if you win."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe