By NoontimeSports.com 

Thursday marked the first time UMass’ football team participated in a FBS game. And despite losing their first contest of the season to UConn, 37-0, the Minutemen did leave a lasting impression of their defense, as safety Darren Thellen redirected a pass from the Huskies quarterback into the hands of teammate Tom Brandt. 

The pass, which was heading for the sidelines, ended up being tapped to Brandt by Thellen. Brandt then collected the tipped pass and raced up the field for a 20-yard dash before he was tackled at the UMass 37.

The Thellen-to-Brandt pass happened to the be biggest play for UMass in the first half, and we have provided the video of this particular sequence below.