Joe Fagnano’s first NFL action came in a situation no quarterback wants, but the former UConn signal-caller finally got his shot Sunday in Orchard Park.
With the Buffalo Bills handling the Baltimore Ravens, Fagnano was pressed into relief after injuries knocked out both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Jackson had returned to start after an ankle injury that kept him out for multiple weeks, which pushed Huntley into the backup role and Fagnano into the emergency quarterback spot. Once Fagnano entered, the Ravens were locked into that quarterback arrangement and could not go back to the original top two options.
The numbers were rough. Fagnano finished 10-of-21 for 91 yards with an interception, and he was sacked three times while also losing a fumble.
He also had a touchdown pass wiped out by a penalty. Early on, he looked composed, but as the game got away from Baltimore, Buffalo made life much tougher on him.
He also dealt with a foot injury on the sideline, though he stayed in the game.
That could make the next few days especially interesting for Baltimore. The Ravens are back on the field Thursday on a short week, and according to Tom Pelissero, Jackson could be out for the season.
For UConn fans, though, Sunday still marked a milestone. Fagnano’s path to the NFL has been a long one.
He spent seven college seasons from 2019 through 2025, using the extra eligibility created by redshirt rules and COVID exemptions. He played four years at Maine before transferring to UConn for three seasons, where he became the starter in 2024 and 2025.
His 2025 season with the Huskies was a strong one: 69 percent completions, 3,448 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 161.0. UConn went 9-3 in the regular season, earned a Fenway Bowl berth and lost to Army. Fagnano did not play in that game, and the Huskies finished 9-4.
At UConn, he formed a dangerous offensive trio with All-American wide receiver Skyler Bell and running back Cam Edwards. After going undrafted, Fagnano signed with the Ravens shortly after the draft and turned in a preseason that put him on the map. He led the NFL in passing yards and completions during the exhibition slate and did enough to stick on the roster.
Also in the crowd Sunday was UConn women’s basketball alum Breanna Stewart, a Syracuse, N.Y. native and four-time national champion with the Huskies. She was shown on the jumbotron as a fan in attendance.
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