Storrs — Joe Fagnano, a senior transfer from Maine, has been named UConn’s starting quarterback for the season opener against North Carolina State, head coach Jim Mora announced on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-3 Fagnano, who played three seasons for the Black Bears under current UConn offensive coordinator Nick Charlton, earned the starting nod over redshirt junior Ta’Quan Roberson and sophomore Zion Turner. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Roberson, a Penn State transfer, started the 2022 season opener against Utah State, only to suffer a season-ending knee injury, before Turner stepped in as a true freshman and started the Huskies’ final 12 games.

UConn hosts NC State on Thursday, Aug. 31, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

“It was a hard fought competition throughout camp between everyone in the quarterback room,” Mora said in a release. “Every one of those guys came in every single day and put in a tremendous amount of hard work and effort into winning the job. Their commitment to this program was evident all camp.

“Joe stood out during the final weeks of camp and we feel like he puts in the best position to be successful heading into the season.”

Fagnano posted career high passing totals at Maine in 2022, completing 208 passes for 2,231 yards and 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also had career-best rushing numbers, finishing with 296 yards on 93 carries for three scores.

Fagnano was also Maine’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 when he pased for 1,835 yards and 17 TDs as a freshman.

UConn women roll

• The UConn women’s basketball team completed its European exhibition tour with an 85-66 win over Pecs of Hungary in a game at Murano, Italy. The Huskies finished the tour at 4-0.

Azzi Fudd led UConn with 24 points and seven rebounds. Aubrey Griffin had 14 points and seven rebounds, Aaliyah Edwards had 12 points and eight rebounds, KK Arnold scored 12 points and Nike Mühl had six assists for the Huskies.

H.S. girls’ soccer

• St. Bernard will host its fourth annual Michele Bassett Memorial Preseason Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and feature eight schools: St. Bernard, Montville, Griswold, New London, Waterford, Plainfield, Westbrook and Haddam-Killingworth.

The jamboree is held in honor and memory of Michele Bassett, who died in 2019 following a six-year battle with colon cancer. Bassett’s three daughters attended St. Bernard with two playing soccer and her oldest daughter, Juliana, currently serving as the Saints’ cross country and track coach.

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Cactus Jack Foundation (www.cactusjackfoundation.org), which provides charitable aid to residents in southeastern Connecticut; Prevent-Heal-Thrive (www.preventhealthrive.org), which provides integrative services to improve the quality of life for those with cancer; and the Saint Bernard School athletics department.

Food will be served at the concession stand and raffles will be held, but local businesses and community members can purchase a sponsorship for $150, which includes a listing on the jamboree t-shirts. Those interested in sponsoring the event or anyone who would like to donate a raffle item, contact Jen Londregan at jenlondregan@hotmail.com.

Conn College XC ranked

• The Connecticut College men’s cross country team was ranked in the preseason edition of the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Coaches' Poll.

The Camels are ranked 33rd, marking the third straight year the program has started the season with a national ranking. Conn was also ranked fifth overall in the Mideast region. The Camels qualified for the NCAA Championship last season for only the second time in program history.