Former UConn QB Joe Fagnano throws first NFL touchdown pass in preseason debut for Ravens

Joe Fagnano made his NFL preseason debut with the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night, and the former UConn quarterback “had a blast.” Signed as an undrafted free agent after producing one of the most successful seasons ever for a Huskies QB, Fagnano has stuck around in Baltimore despite a training camp competition that involved Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia. The Ravens waived Pavia in late July. Saturday’s performance figures to have helped his case to earn the third spot on the depth chart behind two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Tyler Huntley. The Ravens also signed former Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed to replace Skylar Thompson, who suffered an undisclosed season-ending injury. “I just take it one day at a time,” Fagnano told Baltimore media after the game. “Being an undrafted guy, opportunities may come, they may not come, and I’m just looking to be ready for when they do. It doesn’t really matter who’s in the room, I’m just kind of controlling what I can control and focusing on me, trying to help this football team win games and do what I can.” Huntley started Saturday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles – a 24-7 Ravens win – and led a scoreless first quarter before Fagnano came in at the start of the second. The Williamsport, Penn. native led a 47-yard drive in his second series that was capped off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Jakobi Lane. Fagnano threw an interception in his next trip but went on to lead two additional scoring drives as he completed 22 of 28 passes for 224 yards in the game. “It was a blast, it was just fun to be out there with those guys,” he said. “We’ve put in a lot of work the first 10-12 practices and then to be able to go out there, go against somebody else and show what we have was a lot of fun and something we can build on going forward.” Coming to UConn from Maine in 2023, Fagnano thrived off of his connection with receiver Skyler Bell last fall as he completed 285 passes for 3,448 yards – both second-highest single-season totals in program history – 28 touchdowns and just one interception to lead the Huskies to a 9-3 regular season record. Bell, who set program records for receptions (101) and receiving touchdowns (13), and had the second-most yards in a season in program history (1,278), did not make his debut for the Buffalo Bills this weekend. A fourth round draft pick (No. 125 overall) in April, Bell made a fast impression on the Bills before hitting a bit of a road block in the form of an undisclosed lower body injury. He did not suit up, but is expected to return soon according to Sports Illustrated, which quoted Bills head coach Joe Brady saying, “If it was a (regular season) game, he would have been able to play.” The Bills will play the Browns in their second preseason game on Saturday afternoon while Fagnano and the Ravens take on the Minnesota Vikings.