UConn Football

Highlights:

RR said that Devin Gardner will not redshirt this year. He's probably going to play. Let's hope he doesn't have to play.

Carvin Johnson, a true freshman, is getting the start at the "Spur" position ahead of Thomas Gordon (not to be confused with Cam Gordon).

10 freshman could play on Saturday, which include: Jibreel Black, Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery, Marvin Robinson, Jeremy Jackson, Terrance Talbott, and Will Hagerup (will start at punter).

All three QBs were listed on the depth chart and will make a decision later in the week. Same with RBs. Mike Shaw is on the depth chart, which should mean he made the grades.

Starters at CB are JT Floyd and James Rogers.

Tackling the No. 1 key on defense for the UConn game.

Teric Jones is back at running back (probably due to the loss of Austin White or improved play of the freshman at CB).

Fitz Toussaint has a knee issue and might not play on Saturday.

To quote Brian at Mgoblog:

Should we start getting worried?

-Vlad Emilien: behind a walk-on after a year and a half (he enrolled early).
-Anthony LaLota: behind Steve Watson, also after a year and a half.
-Will Campbell: behind perpetual non-entity Adam Patterson, a guy who moved positions this spring.

The answer is Yes. Really concerned about Will Campbell.

The recent suspension of backups Eric Kurakzea and Cody Endres is strictly a team issue.  The indefinite suspension of the two players is a blow to the Huskies, more importantly it will result in a new backup quarterback to start the season.

The problem here is that the issue that has revolved around the suspension doesn't need to be released to the public.  It is a team matter for a reason.  Players break rules and there are consequences when caught.

I could sit here and speculate or report that I know exactly what occurred.  I'm not going to do that, because the public isn't entitled to know what went on with these two players.  Coach Edsall let the two of them know that whatever they did will not be tolerated.

They are prohibited from being around the team or at practice.  That speaks volumes to what a statement is being made here.  Along with that is whenever these two players return they have to regain the trust of their teammates and coaches.

Edsall is all about business.  This football team acts as a family and what happens there stays in-house.  End of story.  Edsall made his point clear when he met with the media last week after the suspension went public.

He was stern and simple with his statement to reporters.  He didn't want to talk about any players on the football team who weren't participating in practice.  As student athletes, there are rules and regulations put into place for specific reasons.

When those rules are broken, there are prices to pay.  This is the type of news that UConn didn't want heading into the season.  The negative press and recent suspension has to be put behind them moving forward.

That also includes those people out there who are demanding to know why Endres and Kurazea are suspended indefinitely.  Quite frankly, it is none of our business.

It should remain that way in the future.  Coach Edsall and the UConn Football team have much bigger goals and games to worry about than what these two players did.

They are currently not with the team for a reason and that is all that matters.

The college football season is less than two weeks away from beginning and that is the biggest concern right now.  UConn's season-opener at Michigan is a highly anticipated game that the Huskies better be prepared for.

A nationally televised opener is a great chance to showcase what UConn football is all about.

It is time to move past the recent suspension and get focused on the beginning of the season.  A year in which many people are expecting success for the UConn Huskies.

First things first, one fact that can be gathered from the national polls is that the Big East Conference gets very little respect.  That's why it is important to remember these are preseason polls.

Somebody voted Boise State as the No. 1 team in the country.  Wow.  In the AP poll, Pittsburgh was ranked 15th and West Virginia was ranked 25th.

UConn was 31st and received 32 points, which ironically was one more than Notre Dame.

It's hard to expect UConn to be ranked going into the season, because of the type of football program they have.  Yes, they have experience and finished last season on a four-game winning streak, but there are a lot bigger factors that go into the pollsters' equation.

Bottom line here is that UConn will be ranked if it goes out on the field and proves to the rest of the country that they deserve to be ranked by beating quality football programs. 

Last year's five losses by a combined 15 points signal an alarming trend.

The Huskies lost almost all of their games in the final minutes, and to compete for a Big East title, that is going to have to change.

Randy Edsall has to lead his team to decisive victories that show they are a legitimate college football program.

For starters, UConn was predicted to finish fourth in the Big East.  Many people would assume that is a slap in the face.

Not necessarily, it is actually UConn's best prediction since joining the Big East.

The national attention will grow if this team is able to go out on the field and execute the game plan.  In college football, it is all about winning week in and week out.

That's what makes Saturdays so exciting.  Every game can have major implications and the stakes are always high.

UConn will be ranked in time, especially if it can start the season hot and continue with how they ended last season.

Surely the University of Connecticut gained much needed respect in the 2009-10 season. Even after a tragic loss of corner back Jasper Howard, the Huskies were still able to pull a miraculous upset over Notre Dame in South Bend and win the Papajohns.com Bowl (Now known as the Birmingham Bowl) against South Carolina. Now that the team is (almost) recovered from the death of Howard, the Huskies can focus on having what many believe will be a promising season. None the less, there are still 5 questions I have regarding this upcoming season.

1. What Zach Frazer Will Show Up To Play?

The most inconsistent player of the 2009-10 team, at least on the offensive side of the ball, had to be Zach Frazer. Many fans were happy when he went down with an injury during the North Carolina game. I ,for one, (being a die hard Connecticut fan) was actually excited because I believed Cody Endres was the better Quarterback. However after Endres went down with a season ending injury, Frazer had to come back and prove why he was the starter entering the season, as well as the highly regarded recruit Notre Dame saw in him.

He responded.

In the wake of Jasper Howard's death, Frazer and the Huskies opened up a coveted passing attack, driven by the hands of walk on Marcus Easley. For the time being, he had gained back the respect of the UConn fans after winning the thriller at South Bend and the Papajohns.com bowl. Coming into practice, many fans wondered what Frazer would be running the offense. In spring practice, many were stunned to see him throw for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited snaps. Zach could be turning out to be that High School Player of the Year. Now that Cody Endres is suspended indefinitely, Frazer is the sure starter for opening day. So now there is only one question entering the season: Are we going to see the High School Player of the Year, or are we going to see the "old" Zach?

2) How will USC transfer DJ Shoemate Impact Jordan Todman's touches?

The Huskies got their first 5 star recruit, however not in the way one would think. DJ Shoemate, a former USC Trojan, transfered from USC to the Huskies, thus being UConn's first 5 star recruit. At USC, Shoemate played Wide Reciever and Fullback, but at Storrs it is believed that Shoemate will be the second string running back. That brings up an interesting question: How will this affect starter Jordan Todman? Todman was a part of a two back system last year, with both him and Andre Dixon gaining 1,000 yards rushing.

Exit Dixon, enter Shoemate.

Will the Huskies treat Shoemate and Todman like they did Dixon and Todman? That is the big question in the running back position.

3) Will Randy Edsall Stay at UConn?

This seems to be a question coming into every season for the past few years, but how could it not be? Randy Edsall is becoming one of the most sought after coaches in the NCAA. Edsall received offers from Syracuse, Buffalo and more in the past two seasons, as well as being rumored to become the newest Notre Dame coach.

However, after all was said and done, Edsall stayed with the True Blue.

Even thought it doesn't look like Edsall will be going anywhere any time soon, there is always a cause for concern. If Michigan cuts ties with Rich Rodriguez, could Edsall decline another contract from a prestigious school? Depending on how some of the top schools do this year, don't be surprised to see Edsall's name pop up in the coaching rumors.

4) Can the Huskies Become a Legitimate Contender?

Of the 12 years coaching at UConn, Randy Edsall has not had a team as experienced and good as his current squad. With 16 returning starters all together, this has to be the best team that Edsall has coached to date. With a dynamic running back, solid defense, and promising quarterback, many believe this will be the year UConn becomes a legitimate contender for the Big East title, and maybe a BCS Bowl. Sports Illustrated has the Huskies going 9-3 on the year, and finishing tied for 3rd in the Big East. Many sites suggest better. Rivals.com has UConn as the #20 team in the nation.

There is no hiding the dark horse of the Big East.

The die hard Huskies fans have been waiting for the day that UConn is considered a legit threat in the Big East. Just last year, the Huskies could have gone undefeated by means of only a few points. This year could be no different. With a solid team, great coach and awesome fans, the Huskies could become the contender fans dream of.

5) Can UConn Start The Season On A High Note Against Michigan?

When it comes to UConn vs. Michigan on September 4th, most sports stations are focusing on Rich Rodriguez. Rich is on the hot seat after violations and 2 shaky seasons so far with the Wolverines. They say that if Rich does not win at home against Connecticut, his job could be as well as finished. They also care about the quarterback situation. Who will start, Tate Forcier or Denard "Shoelace" Robinson? My question is, what about the Huskies? UConn has never defeated Rodriguez or his option offense. It scared them when he was at West Virginia, and are concerned going into this opener. So why is it all about Rich again? He has had success before you know.

Is it because UConn is the stronger team entering? Possibly.

If the Huskies can begin with a win against the Wolverines, it could mean big things for the season, and small things for the Rodriguez era. The Huskies must go into the Big House with same attitude they had vs. Notre Dame, block out the crowd and focus on winning.

It will definitely be an exciting year for Connecticut Football

The Connecticut Huskies enter the 2010 campaign with some of the highest expectations since moving to Division I and becoming a part of the Big East conference. 

With August already halfway over college football is two weeks away from beginning in full-swing.

For the Huskies it all begins with a trip to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan.  A team that Rich Rodriguez believes will be very good in year three of his tenure there.  Still, UConn has to prepare just like any other game of the season. 

One game, one week at a time.

That's it. Randy Edsall's attitude has always been that his team has to prepare week in and week out with the same mental focus on each opponent.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions facing this UConn team.  The Big East is wide-open and that it makes the Huskies an even more of a question mark as the season nears.  Edsall just suspended two players for violating team rules, and his message is clear.

If you want to break the code of conduct and joke around then there is not a spot on the team for you.  He has always been a no-nonsense guy and that will never change.  Edsall still know his team needs more preparation as the season nears.

Who will step up as the backup quarterback behind Frazer with Endres out?

My gut feeling says Mike Box. 

A tall physical quarterback from Georgia is believed to be the frontrunner for this job.  He has a live arm and has always been learning behind Frazer and Endres.

Box is a tremendous athlete and I think the best option if Frazer was to go down.  The only scary part is he has no experience on the field.  That makes his repetitions in practice very important, but it doesn't compare to the adrenaline rush of your first college football snaps.

How will the secondary perform early-on in the season?

I believe Mike Lang is one of the most athletic UConn football players.  His transition from wideout to free-safety is a testament to his dedication, size and strength.

Lang should start at safety and is going to be a playmaker on defense.  They need someone to step it up in the secondary because teams are going to pass on UConn.

There's no denying the youth and inexperience back there.  That's why the guys who start in the secondary are going to have to do be prepared for whatever comes there way.

Will Jordan Todman continue UConn's dominance on the ground?

Todman was a stud last season splitting time with Andre Dixon.  He is being pushed hard in spring practice by DJ Shoemate and Robbie Frey.

No disrespect to them, Todman is ready to lead by example.  I believe that UConn's passing game will continue to improve, but they are going to win games running the football. 

I wouldn't surprise me if Todman ran for 1300 yards.

Donald Brown exploded during his junior season, and I expect much of the same result from Todman.  He is strong and fast.  His agility and pass-catching skills make him an all-around back that can do it all.

He is even a dangerous kick-returner when they put him back deep.  He is the offensive producer of this team.

Can UConn win 10 games this season?

A tough task for any college football program. 

The loss of DE Marcus Campbell is bigger then many people realize.  Losing Cody Endres and guard Eric Kurakzea could be costly if there are more injuries early in the season.

UConn is young in the secondary and it could take a few games for the Huskies to adjust players into certain positions.

There's always been a difficulty for this team to live up to the expectations and hype.  This season it is generating the most buzz I can recall as a lifelong Connecticut resident and UConn student.

If this team goes 8-4, I would personally be upset and believe that they didn't seek the expectations that are out there.

Ten wins is a lot, but I do believe it's possible. 

There are still a lot of unanswered questions and the Huskies need to continue to work hard in the final two weeks before they invade Ann Arbor.

After the Michigan game this UConn football team will give us a good indication of what team they are bringing to the table this season.

What better stage then the Big House on national television?

15 days and counting before the Huskies open up the 2010 season!

Injuries are always something that you want to avoid during the preseason.  The only problem is that they are going to happen.  Unfortunately for UConn defensive end Marcus Campbell a torn ACL that has ended his 2010 season.

This is terrible news for the Huskies.  Campbell worked hard last year and got his grades up in order to be ready to play this season.  It was a simple non-contact drill where the quarterback planted and went one way while Campbell's ACL gave out.

Campbell a speedy defensive end from Bloomfield, CT was expected to start the season at defensive end with Greg Lloyd already out for the season.  Luckily for UConn they still have two experienced players to step it up in Trevardo Williams and Jesse Josephs.

But this is sad news for Campbell and his teammates.  He worked day in and day out to be prepared to make an impact on this defense.  He apologized to his teammates after he realized he would be done for the season, but injuries can't be controlled. 

Linebacker Scott Lutrus made it clear that players now have to step it up and that Campbell was just trying to make a play during the non-contact drill.  During the spring in March and April it was clear that Campbell could be a difference maker.

Now with this injury, he will have to be a leader off the field, and once again make a grueling comeback from what has been a very difficult couple of years.

Losing an emerging starter in the middle of August always puts teams in a bind.  Coach Edsall realizes this and sent a message to his team letting them know that other guys have to come through on the defensive side of the ball.

Reserve redshirt sophomores A.J. Portee and Teddy Jennings both who have seen limited action now have to capitalize on this unfortunate event.

Marcus Campbell will be missed, but this UConn defense will have to regroup and be ready for the season opener at Michigan on September 4.

College football is unique because each and every game has that much importance from start to finish.  Whether it is the first week of the season or the conference title, in college football, it is all about winning.

This UConn program has gradually started to use this concept as a way to motivate and be determined to play week in and week out.  Head Coach Randy Edsall will become the all-time wins leaders at the University of Connecticut after his first win this season.

Imagine if that win could come against his friend and former rival Rich Rodriguez in the Big House?  UConn went into South Bend last season and opened viewers eyes on national television.  They went in losers of three straight heartbreaking defeats.

After a double-overtime win the joy and emotions were overwhelming.  It is exactly what makes college football so special.  Whether it is a prime-time night game or a Saturday afternoon game, college football is the one sport that with a couple of big upsets everything can change in the blink of an eye.

UConn ended the season on a four game winning streak with a bowl game win over South Carolina. It was the way this football team finished the season that has brought a lot of attention and hype heading into this season.

The Big East is wide open and many analysts think that as many as four or five teams could win this conference.  Randy Edsall, who is entering his 12th year at Storrs, thinks his team is more ready then ever to perform on the big stage.

Yes, the Huskies are young and inexperienced in the secondary and at wide receiver, but both those positions have talent.  There are also other guys on both sides of the ball that can lead by example.

Zach Frazer, who injured his knee early on last season, came back stronger than ever when Cody Endres went down with a shoulder injury.

Even when Scott Lutrus was knocked out with a neck stinger, his teammates picked up the slack.  Lawrence Wilson had a spectacular season and Greg Lloyd was playing stronger than ever before he went down with a knee injury against Syracuse.

There are still a lot of critics out there that don't believe UConn is a legitimate football program.  They lack respect in the polls and there is just a common feeling that the Big East is not the type of football conference it used to be.

People are entitled to their opinions, but Randy Edsall has built a state-of-art football facility and competitive program from literally nothing.  UConn's football program in 1998 was a hole in the wall.

Now look at where this UConn team is twelve short years later.

There's no substitute for winning.  The job that Edsall and his staff have done recruiting, teaching, and mentoring is a 24/7 process.  It all takes center stage three weeks from today, when the UConn Huskies invade Ann Arbor.

UConn will look to build on its past successes as it enters its most anticipated season opener since it has been a Division I program.

One player that seems to always set the tone defensively is UConn linebacker Lawrence Wilson.  Wilson, a senior from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has become one of the top linebackers in the country.  Last season when Scott Lutrus went down, he stepped his game up to a whole new level.

In 2009, Wilson led the Huskies with a team high 140 tackles, 11 for a loss, and five sacks.  His 10.8 tackles per game led the Big East and was 10th in the nation.  No. 8 anchors a defense that returns eight starters from a year ago.

Wilson was recently added to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the top linebacker in the country. Heading into camp, it is safe to say that Wilson is the rock of this defense. The Huskies have talent at linebacker, but they don't have a lot of depth.

Wilson showed he has the potential to play at the next level last season. He had some spectacular games, but needs to keep up that same level of play at the start of the 2010 season when UConn takes the field against Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Now that Greg Lloyd is preparing to redshirt, it will put even more pressure on Wilson to perform as the anchor of this defense.  He is strong at blitzing and can drop back in coverage.  He's going to have to remain focused because the Huskies have a relatively young back four.

UConn traditionally is strong defensively and has always been a team that is able to force turnovers that helps the offense make the most out of those opportunities by scoring points.  UConn football isn't about getting into offensive shootouts back and forth with its opponents.

That is a recipe that will usually result in a loss 90 percent of the time.  UConn football is about clock management and remaining strong on defense.  UConn gets big stops on defense and puts the ball in the hands of its offense to work the clock.

Wilson is looked at as the star of this defense and there is pressure on him to deliver.  He knows it is no easy task, but that his coaches and teammates expect him to play at a very high level.

That is how football teams win games.  Wilson has a tough task ahead of him, but he and his teammates are determined to win a Big East title this year.

UConn coach Randy Edsall has always been a defensive-minded coach. It is what he is known for and this season with his team young and relatively inexperienced at safety he has made the decision to coach them. For a head coach this is a relatively unusual but Edsall realizes the importance of making sure his safeties are ready when they open up the season at Michigan.

Edsall has a lot of experience serving as a secondary coach in both college and the NFL.  He worked under Tom Coughlin when he was at Jacksonville. Coach Edsall has the ability to step outside the box and take this task with confident in hope of making his defense even stronger.

Darrell Perkins who is working with the cornerbacks is a younger coach. Edsall knows he has the capability to coach the entire defense, but taking the safeties off his hands gives him more time working with the cornerbacks.

UConn needs to fix its secondary problems from a year ago. It can't continually allow wide receivers to run open down the field, because it ends up costing them at the end of games. Teams are going to come out early and challenge this defense often. It is the secondary's responsibility to be able to read the quarterback and dictate what his next move is when he drops back to pass.

Last year, UConn was 88th out of 120 teams when it comes down to pass defense.  Through the air the secondary allowed a staggering 235 yards per game. A high number that Edsall and his staff knows has to come down if this team wants to compete for a Big East title.

The big plays through the air can't be allowed by this defense. It will make them look weak and translates to points for the opposing team on the scoreboard. UConn's passing game has come a long way, but it has always been known as a team that runs the ball hard and plays tough defense.

There's a ton of optimism when it comes to the goals this team has set for the season and what all the fans have to say about the 2010 season. For those who have lived in Connecticut their entire lives as far as sports team UConn football is the future.

Seeing Edsall out there coaching these young kids is another telling sign about what this season could be. He understands what these safeties need to know and how they can apply their talent on the field. 

When they open up the season against Michigan's spread offense, we should have a good idea of how well they have acclimated to the system.

In the end, a team is only as a good as its defense.

Big East Media Day was Tuesday in Newport, Rhode Island.  While there, the predicted final standings of the 2010 Big East conference were voted on by all media pundits. 

Although UConn ended up with its highest ranking ever, there's still a lot to prove.

The Huskies are predicted to finish fourth behind...you guessed it: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and West Virginia.

Don't forget the Huskies get all three of the conference favorites at home with two of them being featured night games, and one late in November.  It sure sets up an ideal scenario for this UConn football team.

As this team is set to open practice next week, there is a lot of motivation to succeed for this college football program.  Randy Edsall made note that these preseason predictions really have no impact on what happens on the field.

Once the first game kicks off, it is a whole new season.  Sure the Huskies finished strong last season, but that has no meaning for the new season.  It's leaders such as Zach Frazer and Scott Lutrus who have to use their experience and skills to set the tone for 2010.

I for one believe if UConn went 8-4 this year it would be a huge letdown.  When you return eight starters on both sides of the ball there's no reason you can't be playing for a conference championship right up until the last week of the season.

I realize how difficult it is for any team to win 10 games during the college football season, but I don't think it is out of the question for this program to have a breakout season where UConn football is put on the national map.

The more exposure and media coverage this team receives, the more people are going to see not only what UConn is doing, but how it has turned into a contender in the Big East Conference.

They took advantage of the chance to play in South Bend at Notre Dame.  An amazing double overtime win that Randy Edsall called the best of his career.

UConn gets another chance to duplicate the same success and feeling of accomplishment when it goes into the Big House on September 4th.  A nationally televised game to start the season at Michigan is a great opportunity for UConn.

If the Huskies go in there and beat Rich Rodriguez's Wolverines it will once again prove their goal is to go to a BCS Bowl in January.

The mentality of this team has always been to take each and every game one week and one day at a time.  If you get caught looking ahead then anyone can pull the upset that is damaging to accomplish what is at stake.

It's not about being ranked, or being predicted to win the conference, because in August that has no meaning on the season.  It's all about being ranked and winning the conference on that first weekend in December.

UConn realizes this, but knows it can only look at what is directly in front of them.  Last season the Huskies were so close to pulling out games at the end, but caved in.

There still has to be that dedication and commitment for a full 60 minutes.  The fourth quarter meltdowns can't happen this season or it is going to be another mediocre year.

Teams that get over the hump know how to win games when it matters most in the fourth quarter.  They find ways to win; at the end of the game they are leading on the scoreboard.

UConn has the players in place that have the potential to do exactly that.  It all comes down to execution and doing whatever it takes to win.

The Huskies open up the season at Michigan four weeks from Saturday.  College football fever is in full-swing.