East Hartford — Memories of the UConn’s historic Fiesta Bowl appearance came rushing back to Kendall Reyes on Saturday. 

Reyes, a starting defensive tackle during the program’s glory days, gathered at Rentschler Field with some 2010 teammates for a reunion celebration. They received a warm ovation when honored during a timeout in the first quarter. 

“Man, this is incredible,” Reyes said from the sidelines near the UConn bench. “Just to see all these guys, it’s so much fun. It’s bringing back so many memories. Unfortunately, we couldn’t come back last year. 

“This is even more special this year just to get this group of guys back together again, and watching football here in Connecticut, there’s nothing better than that.” 

Since then, the program has had far more gory than glory days. 

UConn has gone from the stability of the Big East, to the American Athletic Conference, to now independent status. The Huskies have appeared in the postseason only once, competing in the St. Petersburg’s Bowl in 2015. 

The Huskies are heading toward their 10th straight losing season after falling to 0-3 with a 49-0 loss to Big Ten foe Purdue (2-0) before an announced crowd of 14,817.

It was UConn's first game since Randy Edsall left the program Monday and Lou Spanos was promoted from defensive coordinator to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

The outcome was the same — another humbling defeat.

It's the program's most lopsided shutout loss since a 49-0 decision against New Hampshire in 1931.

"We feel awful," Spanos said. "Our team feels awful that we're not executing. We're just disappointed for our fans. ... We're getting closer as a team. Now, we've got to make sure it transfers on game day. We do good stuff in practice, but we have to do better on game day.

"Fans, I know you don't want to hear it, please be patient. We're trying to get this right. We're going to get this right."

The game was long over by halftime, as Purdue pulled away by putting up 28 points in the second quarter to go ahead 35-0 at the break.

Purdue shredded UConn's defense, scoring on seven straight possessions. Quarterback Jack Plummer (19 for 24) threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns passes while only playing the first half.

Making his first start this season, UConn quarterback Steven Krajewski (14 for 25, 99 yards, one interception) made some nice throws and moved the ball at times, but the Huskies regularly stalled out in Purdue territory. Freshman Joe McFadden misfired on a 50-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter.

"Not where it needs to be," Krajewski said of his play. "There's a lot of things I can do better and cleaner. ... I'll get better and my teammates will get better. Coaching will get better. We're on the rise. I haven't lost any faith or any confidence in our offense. It's not up to par."

Purdue continued to dominate in the second half despite resting starters.

UConn nearly avoided being shut out for the second time this season. But tight end Jayce Medlock couldn't hold on to a diving catch attempt in the end zone early in the fourth quarter. The Huskies were out-gained, 562-223, overall in total yards.

It's been an emotional week for Spanos, whose father passed away on Sept. 2.

"I don't want to talk about myself," said Spanos when asked about his father. "What we talked to the team about, if you have your loved ones there tonight, give them a hug. If they're not here, please give them a call and just say,' I love you.' "

It was the program’s most lopsided shutout loss since a 49-0 decision against New Hampshire in 1931. 

The Huskies have now lost 28 of their last 29 meetings against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs. Their only win came at UMass, a 56-35 decision on Oct. 26, 2019. 

UConn’s Fiesta Bowl appearance against Oklahoma, a 48-20 loss on Jan. 1, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz., seems lightyears away. 

While Reyes played, UConn went on the road and beat Notre Dame in 2009. This season, the Huskies lost at home to Holy Cross, a Football Championship Subdivision team, on Sept. 4. 

Reyes, who lives in Windham, N.H., and works in sales, has watched the demise of the football program from afar. 

He believes the program can be successful again. 

“It’s definitely been tough,” Reyes said. “But we’ve been here through good times and bad times. The support doesn’t stop. We’re always going to support this team and this state. We’re going to get through it, just like anything. 

“When you face adversity, you put your head down and get through it. That’s what is going to happen here. It’s just another chapter in the book. … Things will come back the right way. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes when you see the process happening, it doesn’t look great. But guys are working their butts off. It’s only a matter of time.” 

At this point, UConn needs to start by just being more competitive. The Huskies have been outscored, 132-28, in the three losses. They’ve led in a game only once, 14-7 late in the first quarter in a 38-28 loss to Holy Cross. 

Up next, the Huskies visit Army next Saturday. 

g.keefe@theday.com