Miami (OH) recovers fumble vs UConn – then hands ball back to Huskies player

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Facing a two-touchdown deficit against UConn early in the second quarter, Miami (Ohio) football was on the receiving end of a much-needed momentum swing, securing a fumble to give it the ball inside the Huskies' 40-yard line.

Then, the RedHawks handed the ball right back — literally — not on the next play, but within three seconds of scooping up the ball.

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It what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most bizarre plays of the 2026 college football season, UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne was hit as he threw on a first-and-10. The whistle wasn't blown, and Miami defensive back Amariyun Knighten picked the ball off the turf at the UConn 35.

Knighten, apparently thinking that it was an incomplete pass and the play was blown dead, handed the ball to Huskies wide receiver Zy'marion Lang. After initially hesitating, Lang saw teammates urging him that the play wasn't over and took it to the 37-yard line, though officials later marked him down at the 30, where he was given the ball.

Thankfully for Knighten, the mistake only proved to be so costly. UConn's drive stalled out at the Miami (Ohio) 42 and after the Huskies were forced to punt, the RedHawks mounted an eight-play, 90-yard touchdown drive.

At the end of the third quarter, the teams were tied, 21-21.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami (OH) recovers fumble vs UConn – then hands ball back to Huskies player

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