WR Noel Thomas celebrates after catching a TD from Bryant Shirreffs to give UConn a 7-0 lead Photo Credit: Kallie Elizabeth @Kallie_E

The texts started flowing in even before sophomore corner sensation Jamar Summers had a chance to hit the turf after intercepting Greg Ward Jr. to seal the 20-17 win over unbeaten Houston, a victory that launches UConn back to a bowl game for the first time since 2010.

Perhaps the best one of the night, shows exactly the direction that 2nd year head coach Bob Diaco has this program headed in; ‘Best win ever?’

UConn athletic director Warde Manuel could not have drafted a better script when he hired Diaco away from Notre Dame and made him a first-time head coach, just twenty-three months ago.

“You believe when you go through the hiring process in what people are presenting and telling you about how they are going to do things and the one thing about Bob is that he hasn’t changed from his plan and his thoughts on how to get there,” Manuel said after the win. “He’s adjusted, but we all need to adjust in life. He had a plan and a vision for what this team could accomplish.”

Diaco knew how it needed to be built and never wavered, believing in his principles and deep faith. After the game, he echoed the same sentiments that he did back on December 12, 2013.

“St. Augustine – with love and diligence, anything is possible.”

It’s clear that that love has trickled down throughout the program, transforming the group he leads from a football team, to a family, but that was just the beginning of the process. He would need his seniors to buy into the process, on their quest for the first bowl game appearance since their arrival in Storrs.

After junior quarterback Tim Boyle took the final snap of the game Saturday and placed one knee on the ground, that process was complete – UConn football is back.

Boyle, who has had an up and down career since joining the Huskies program, reminded us all that this wasn’t his first field-storming experience at The Rent. He’d been here before, 2007 against No. 11 South Florida, that improved UConn’s record to 7-1 that year. Despite this year’s squad sitting at 6-5, Saturday’s win was even bigger, perhaps awakening a fanbase that has sat dormant for the better part of half a decade.

As the Huskies continue to prepare for another ranked opponent on Saturday, during this Thanksgiving season, there is certainly a lot to be thankful for.