UConn is running out of realistic chances to add to its win total before the end of the regular season.

Playing Middle Tennessee State University, a member of Conference USA, on Friday night at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, UConn was done in by a long list of mistakes and breakdowns.

The Huskies trailed by 11 at halftime and never recovered, losing 44-13 at Rentschler Field.

"They respect each other and fought, and it hurts," interim coach Lou Spanos said. "What we talked about, we can do better. And they want to do better. They're looking forward to the next two weeks to get it right for our next opponent."

They enter a long break in the schedule at 1-8 overall. When they return, they play at Clemson Nov. 13 and at Central Florida on Nov. 20 and then finish the season by hosting Houston on Nov. 27.

Six days after beating Yale to break an 11-game losing streak, UConn couldn’t sustain the momentum. The Huskies fell short in their quest for their first two-game winning streak in three years.

"We were feeling the momentum and everybody went out there looking to get the W," said senior offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark of the team's vibe entering the game. "But we came up short."

UConn freshman Joe McFadden booted two field goals in the first half, including a career-long 47-yarder, and freshman tight end Brandon Niemenski had his first career touchdown catch, covering eight yards. Quarterback Steven Krajewski entered the fourth quarter with one touchdown pass and two interceptions.

The Huskies managed just 67 yards on the ground compared to 155 yards for the Blue Raiders, who dominated time of possession (37:22 to 22:38).

"We've got to do better up front," Van Demark said. "The run game wasn't too good. I believe in all my linemen and all my running backs."

Middle Tennessee (3-4) rode a potent passing game, as quarterback Chase Cunningham threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns, three in the first half, before departing early in the fourth quarter. Cunningham regularly had enough time to have a cup of tea before throwing the football.

"He's a really good college quarterback," Spanos said.

The Blue Raiders basically put the game away by scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter to push their advantage to 34-13.

Mistakes piled up early for the Huskies.

A turnover cost them in the first quarter. Aaron Turner, a freshman wide receiver, was stripped of the ball after catching a short pass and the Blue Raiders recovered at the UConn 28.

Credit the UConn defense for limiting Middle Tennessee to a field goal. The Blue Raiders had a first and goal at the UConn three, but settled for Zeke Rankin’s 20-yard kick for a 3-0 edge late in the first quarter.

But the Huskies couldn’t stop the Blue Raiders from reaching the end zone on the visitor’s next drive. Cunningham connected with tight end Jimmy Marshall on a 14-yard scoring strike on the first play of the second quarter for a 10-0 edge. It was the first of two touchdown receptions for Marshall.

UConn fought back, scoring 10 straight points to tie the game.

Krajewski capped UConn’s longest scoring drive of the game by hitting Niemenski who navigated his way through traffic to find the end zone for an 8-yard scoring play to cut the gap to 10-7 with 10:43 left in the second quarter.

Then, on UConn’s next drive, McFadden hit a 47-yard field goal to tie the score at 10-all.

But the Huskies had no answers on defense.

Cunningham threw a pair of touchdown passes less than three minutes apart, hitting Izaiah Gathings and Marshall for scoring plays of 25 and 18 yards, respectively, for a 24-10 edge.

Middle Tennessee’s three touchdown drives in the first half took just one minute, one second, 2:16 and 1:50 to go 51, 75 and 64 yards.

UConn ended the half on a positive note, going 77 yards in seven plays to set up McFadden’s 21-yard field goal on the last play, cutting the gap to 24-13. Krajewski’s 57-yard pass to freshman Kevens Clercius was the drive’s big play.

The Blue Raiders broke the game open by scoring 10 points in the third quarter and shutting down the Huskies.

The Huskies missed numerous tackles and committed eight penalties for 62 yards.

"All of this stuff is going to be addressed in the next couple of weeks," Spanos said.

The lopsided loss was a step backward after the Huskies had played competitive football in the previous four games.

g.keefe@theday.com