UConn vs. USF 2012 results: Bulls top Huskies in defensive battle

They weren't pretty on offense Saturday, but the South Florida Bulls got just enough for their first Big East win of the season over the Connecticut Huskies.

Behind 197 yards from B.J. Daniels and some tenacious defense, USF topped UConn, 13-6. USF (3-6, 1-4 Big East) held the Huskies to just two field goals, and sealed the game on a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions, with Jon Lejiste's pick as the first of USF's season.

That interception was one of three fourth-quarter turnovers for UConn (3-6, 0-4), which blew a number of chances late. Three minutes into the fourth quarter and down 7-6, UConn's Lyle McCombs lost a fumble at the UConn 38-yard line. Nine plays later, Maikon Bonani booted a 28-yard field goal to push the lead to four. On the Huskies' next drive, Chandler Whitmer drove UConn to midfield, but had his pass picked off by Lejiste. That turnover turned into a 50-yard field goal by Bonani. Whitmer's second and final pick came with a minute left on USF's 23-yard line, as Elkino Watkins hauled down an errant pass to end UConn's chances.

Daniels led the way for the Bulls, scoring the game's only touchdown with a five-yard run in the second quarter. He finished the game 19-for-29, but also threw a pick deep in UConn territory late in the first half. Marcus Shaw ran for 51 yards, including a 26-yard jaunt on third down on USF's touchdown drive.

For UConn, Whitmer was 24-of-38 for 283 yards and two picks. McCombs ran for 46 yards. Geremy Davis led all receivers with 98 yards on seven catches.

With the win, USF moves out of the Big East basement. Next up is a bye week, followed by an out-of-conference tilt with Miami on Nov. 17.