MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Noel Devine's 56-yard touchdown run in the closing minutes lifted No. 22 West Virginia to a 28-24 win over Connecticut on Saturday in the Huskies' first game since the fatal stabbing of cornerback Jasper Howard.

Devine ran for 171 of his 178 yards in the second half as West Virginia (6-1, 2-0 Big East) overcame the inspired play of the Huskies (4-3, 1-2).

Howard was stabbed to death last Sunday outside a university-sponsored dance. Teammates Andre Dixon and Kashif Moore carried Howard's helmet and jersey from the lockerroom before kickoff, and fans from both teams displayed signs in his memory.

UConn coach Randy Edsall plans to fly his team to Howard's funeral Monday in Miami.

"I just feel empty," Edsall said. "The kids played their hearts out and did what we asked them to do. This is a special group of kids. We've got to take this and just learn how to play like this all the time."

UConn outplayed West Virginia most of the game and outgained the Mountaineers 501-387.

Eventually, Connecticut was done in by its own second-half miscues. David Teggart missed two field goal tries, and a fumble and three interceptions ended other promising drives.

West Virginia's Jarrett Brown, returning from a mild concussion sustained last week against Marshall, ran for one score and threw for another. He also threw the lead block that sprang Devine on a 62-yard run late in the third quarter, setting up Brown's 1-yard TD toss to Tyler Urban.

Kent Richardson returned one of the picks 47 yards but fumbled the ball away deep in UConn territory. Cody Endres then threw his second TD pass of the game, an 84-yarder to Marcus Easley that put the Huskies ahead 24-21 with 3:50 left in the game.

After Devine hugged the right sideline on the go-ahead scoring run with 2:10 left that held up upon review, UConn drove to the West Virginia 33 before Chris Neild intercepted Endres on fourth down.

It marked the third time this season that Connecticut couldn't hold a late lead.

Tavon Austin took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, the first time that's happened for a West Virginia player since 2006. But the Mountaineers accomplished little else until late in the first half, thanks in part to UConn's relentless blitz.

Brown struggled early. He was intercepted on the Mountaineers' third offensive possession and recovered his own fumble on the next series.

It took Brown seven series to find his rhythm. He avoided three tackles and completed a 23-yard pass to Alric Arnett, then found Jock Sanders on a screen pass for a 31-yard gain that set up Brown's 5-yard scoring run.

UConn needed just three plays after Robbie Frey returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards. Endres, who completed 25 of 41 passes for a season-high 378 yards, found Kashif Moore with a 17-yard scoring pass for a 17-14 halftime lead.