New-look UConn routs FCS-member Lafayette 56-7 to begin Jason Candle era

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- — Kalieb Osborne threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more to lead Connecticut to a 56-7 season-opening victory over FCS-member Lafayette on Saturday under first-year head coach Jason Candle. Osborne found Javon Brown over the middle for a 24-yard touchdown on UConn's first possession, and added an 18-yard connection with Kenji Christian midway through the first quarter. Osborne's 9-yard keeper made it 21-0 with 1:43 left in the first. The Huskies added 14 points in each of the next two quarters for a 49-0 lead. Osborne was 19-of-26 passing for 265 yards with an interception. He carried it eight times for 90 yards. Trey Cornist, Kenji Christian and Cyncir Bowers each had 40-plus yards rushing and a touchdown for UConn, which improved to 15-9 in season-openers since its move to FBS. Javon Brown caught six passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. Lafayette, which was looking for its first win over an FBS opponent since topping Rutgers in 1971, was outgained 671-209. The Leopards got on the board with 44 seconds left in the fourth after a 75-yard drive. The Leopards played Georgetown for 30 minutes last weekend before Patriot League officials declared the game a no-contest due to the weather. In addition to a new coaching staff, UConn added 87 players to a program that returned only one starter: offensive lineman Ty Chan. Up next Lafayette: Hosts Marist on Sept. 12. UConn: Stays home to play Maryland on Sept. 12. ------ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here