Navy defensive captain Daniel Gonzales figured Connecticut would be able to run at least two plays in the span of 17 seconds. The Huskies wound up only getting off one — and that proved decisive.

Nose tackle Patrick Forrestal and defensive end Amos Mason led the charge as the Midshipmen stuffed tailback Ron Johnson for no gain at the 1-yard line and the Huskies could not line up to run a final play, enabling the home team to escape with a heart-stopping 28-24 win Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Navy had capitalized on a clutch punt by Erik Harris to score the go-ahead touchdown before coming up with the huge defensive stand that sent an announced crowd of 35,501 home happy.

Quarterback Will Worth scored on a 1-yard plunge with 3:08 left and the Mids dug deep after the Huskies drove to within a yard of a come-from-behind victory.

“I'm super proud of our kids. That goal-line stand symbolizes who we are. Our kids fought to the end and just refused to let them score,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “I didn't see the play. I had closed my eyes and was praying. I looked up and our guys were cheering.”

Gonzales said defensive coordinator Dale Pehrson called for a “rocket” blitz that involves both inside linebackers. Gonzales said he plugged the “A” gap while running mate Micah Thomas filled the “B” gap. Johnson ran into a wall of defenders led by the 305-pound Forrestal, and Mason wrapped up the runner.

The Huskies had called their final timeout with 17 seconds remaining and could only watch helplessly as the Mids laid on top of Johnson to prevent him from getting up.

“We practice that,” Gonzales said. “In that game situation with time running down, you lay on the guy until the ref pulls you off.”

Connecticut coach Bob Diaco was not pleased the officials did not stop the clock.

“How does 17 seconds run off the clock? We called two plays, but they did not let everyone get up from the ground, which kudos to them [Midshipmen],” Diaco said. “I am not complaining or making excuses. I take full accountability.”

Worth ran the triple-option offense expertly in the first half as Navy amassed 245 total yards. UConn stepped it up defensively and the Mids hurt themselves with some mistakes in managing only 109 yards in the second half.

Worth completed six of eight passes for 130 yards, but ran for just 44 yards on 19 carries (2.3 average). “I thought Will, for his first outing, did a lot of good things. I'm proud of him,” Niumatalolo said.

Navy (2-0), which has won 12 straight home games, gained 235 yards on the ground, with slotback Dishan Romine leading the way with 76. Fullback Chris High, who had 176 yards on 10 carries in the opener, was limited to 36 yards on seven attempts by a hard-hitting UConn defense.

Navy left a lot of points on the table as Worth was stuffed on fourth down at the 1-yard line, High fumbled at the 6-yard line and a field goal attempt by Bennett Moehring was blocked.

Bryant Shirreffs completed 23 of 26 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown to lead UConn (1-1), which rallied from a three-touchdown deficit to take the lead. Wide receiver Noel Thomas had 11 receptions for 116 yards and a score for the Huskies, who are now 1-8 all time versus the Mids.

“We tip our hat to [coach Bob Diaco] and have to give UConn a lot of credit,” Niumatalolo said. “We let our foot off the pedal and they came fighting back.”