UConn Football

The Connecticut Huskies will head to Pittsburgh next Saturday for a Big East opener that will give fans an indication to who is the front-runner in this wide open conference.  The Huskies have showed glimpses in its first four games, but this is conference play and the team that executes will win.

The setting of Heinz Field is sure to be a frenzy as Pittsburgh is off to a 3-1 start and goes on the road to play Louisville Saturday night.  This Pittsburgh team is experienced and is always a dangerous team at home.

Going back to the Huskies, they have been dealing with injuries early on this season starting with the quarterback Zach Frazer and defensive leader at linebacker Scott Lutrus.  With UConn off this week, hopefully it gives both these players enough time to get healthy.

Then again, Cody Endres has made the most of his opportunity since Frazer went down against North Carolina.  Endres is 3-1 in his career as a starter and Frazer is 1-3.  There is a big decision that has to be made, but Coach Edsall has refused to say much before Frazer is cleared by the medical staff.

UConn needs to have the quarterback that protects the ball and moves the chains.  Right now that looks to be Endres, but many people will argue no quarterback should lose his job to injury.

The Huskies have looked tough on defense all season long.  The secondary, led by Jerome Junior and Robert McClain, has played well.  UConn is going to need to continue to pressure the quarterback if they are to be successful in getting turnovers.

More then anything Connecticut needs to go into Pittsburgh's house and get a win to prove to the college football world that they are capable of playing with the big dogs.  It is all about winning big games when it counts.

Coach Edsall has always said his team takes one game at a time.  With the success of Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon in the backfield, UConn has the running game to be a dominant force in the Big East.

Michael Smith had eight catches against URI, and along with a rotation of young and talented wideouts they have the pieces in place to be able to move the ball through the air when called upon.

The Huskies have plenty of time to prepare for a Pittsburgh team that is going to be ready to play at home.  Coach Edsall has time to hopefully get his players healthy, but it is also about putting together a game plan that can be executed and result in a win for the Huskies.

UConn did make some errant mistakes against URI that bring cause for concern.  A few fumbles and one play that was blown coverage resulted in a touchdown and a couple of short fields for the Rams.  These are mistakes that the Huskies can't commit if they plan on beating Pittsburgh.

The Huskies had North Carolina on the ropes at home.  They went into Baylor and played impressively moving the ball down the field and creating turnovers.  UConn needs to build off the last couple weeks and come out and play tough, hard-nosed football in Pittsburgh.

It is another opportunity for this program to beat a strong Pittsburgh team on the road.  UConn has had a lot of similar games against opponents of this Pitt team caliber and have failed to walk away with a win.

Pittsburgh most likely would have been ranked if they didn't let a lead slip late against N.C. State.  They are a well coached football team that has aspirations of winning the Big East.

There is a possibility that this game is going to be aired on ABC at 3:30.  If it is it will be just another chance for a national audience to see that Connecticut has more than just nationally recognized basketball programs.

Coach Edsall has done a great job at UConn, and his team is on the cusp on breaking that barrier.  Sending a statement in a game of this importance could build confidence that the Huskies could use throughout the season.

Expect to see a strong message delivered come October 10.  It is time for the Huskies to breakthrough that wall and make a jump that catches peoples' attention.

The Huskies will return home this Saturday to face off against the Rams of Rhode Island.  This is a game that UConn is heavily favored going into and should win.  Although the Rams should not be taken lightly, after all the CAA has hung tough with some BCS conference teams this year.

Heading into this game UConn will continue to do what is working.  That is the running game led by Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon.  They have already both gone over the 100 yard mark twice in the same games.  An accomplishment never done until this season.

Facing less stiff competition look to possibly see UConn try and open it up through the air attack.  It is a perfect opportunity to se if quarterback Cody Endres can connect with some of his young and talented wideouts downfield.

Endres is looking to go out and to play to his potential.  With Zach Frazer still out overcoming a knee injury, Endres is leading this team and trying to prove to the coaching staff that he deserves to be the starter.

What has been one of the leading success stories of this team early on in the season is its defense.  The defensive unit is key to the UConn gameplan and its ability to cause turnovers make it that much easier for the offense to score points.

Robert McClain and Jasper Howard have played well in the secondary.  Up front Witten, Williams, and Reyes have stuffed the run and pressured the quarterback.  For the most part the Huskies have missed their leader at linebacker in Scott Lutrus.

Lutrus sustained a neck stinger, and still is having lingering nerve issues that has prevented him from playing.  He is questionable this week, and with a weak opponent don't rush to see him back on the field until Pittsburgh on October 10.

Right now the keys for the Huskies is to go out and execute.  Most of the team is trying to either get healthy or remain keeping up the hard work and intensity.

One group to watch on Saturday is the offensive line.  UConn's bigs on the line led by Mike Hicks and Moe Petrus do an outstanding job at opening up holes for the running backs.  These guys never get enough credit, but the work they do on the field is why UConn can run the ball and be effective game in and game out.

These should be a nice warm-up game for the Huskies.  Following a bye week next weekend the Huskie have a date at Pittsburgh on the 10th of October which should be an early match to show who is ready for Big East action.

This weekend should be a good confidence booster Huskies in a route 41-3. 

The University of Connecticut is nationally recognized as a school with two top basketball programs.  Meanwhile Coach Edsall and his staff have built quite a football team over the past decade.

After making the longest road trip in school history the Huskies went into Floyd Casey Stadium and beat the Baylor Bears in their home opener.  This game shows that the UConn Huskies can play and gives credit to this Big East team.

Nobody has really given UConn any credit since they have been playing football in the Big East conference.  Going on the road and defeating a Big XII program that many expect to be much improved then in years past shows the Huskies are not afraid to back down from a challenge.

The Huskies were only a week removed from a devastating loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels but that did not stop them from coming out and performing on offense and defense.

UConn went into this game as big road underdogs.  The Huskies came out ready to play and early in the third quarterback had built a commanding 27-7 lead.  Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman ran right down the heart of the Baylor defense and continued to rack up the yardage.

The defense swarmed Robert Griffin and got him out of his style.  UConn was successful because they forced turnovers and made the Bears pay.  If UConn continues to take advantage of those opportunities they will continue to win football games.

The Huskies have gotten little attention from the media.  They were picked to finish 6th in the preseason big east poll.  If the Huskies continue to run the ball with Dixon and Todman along with its strong defense this team is going to finish in the top half of this conference.

Coach Edsall isn't concerned with the little respect his team is getting because at the end of the day he knows it is all about winning games.  This team is coming into its own and if healthy they have the potential to compete for a Big East title.

UConn plays Rhode Island at home this weekend in a game that the Huskies are expected to win quite handily.  It will be another chance for Cody Endres to show what he can do throwing the ball through the air.

Down the road UConn has a bye the weekend of October 3rd, and then began Big East play on the road at Pittsburgh on October 10.  Then they have a home game against Louisville on October 17.

The way UConn plays early on against Big East competition will indicate if the Huskies are finally going to get some of the respect they deserve.  Winning cures everything, and to be the best the Huskies will have to beat the best.

The Huskies went down into Baylor and took care of business.  UConn dominated the game on the ground and on defense.  They forced three turnovers all which led to scoring drives and the combination of Dixon and Todman was too much for the Baylor Bears.

When it was all said and done the Huskies ended up winning 30-22.  On the ground Dixon racked up 149 yards and 3 touchdowns on 31 carries.  Todman also went over the 100 yard mark with 103 yards on 22 carries.  The consistent gains on the ground helped Cody Endres manage the game.

Endres was efficient and made no major mistakes.  He was an efficient 12 for 23 and 147 yards.  His ability to stand tall in the pocket and the run the offense helped the Huskies capitalize all of the opportunities the Bears gave them.

The biggest key to the game was how the Huskies turned turnovers into points.  The Huskies started the second half with a fumble recovery that led to a 10 yard Andre Dixon touchdown run.

Then on the next drive another fumble on the second play gave UConn another short field to work with.  The Huskies once again made the Bears pay with another short 1 yard Andre Dixon touchdown run.

UConn built a 27-7 lead and from there did what was necessary to get the win.  It wasn't going to be another fourth quarter meltdown for the UConn defense.  They pressured Robert Griffin and did what they had to do to secure the victory.

The Huskies had 382 yards of total offense and were 11 for 20 on third down conversions.  This was something that coach Edsall had mentioned as an important aspect on keeping the offense on the field. 

Looking forward this gives the Huskies and the Big East some of the respect it deserves.  UConn went on the road and faced a Baylor team that is on the rise.  They got the win and proved that their strong showing against UNC was no fluke.

The Huskies have I-AA Rhode Island this weekend at home and then have a bye the following week.  They open Big East play at Pittsburgh on October 10.  Moving forward there is a lot of opportunity for the Huskies to improve.

This performance on the road going in as 10.5 point underdogs shows that this football team should not be taken lightly by any of their remaining opponents.

It's been quite the week for UConn football.  After a heartbreaking loss to North Carolina last week, it is back to business this week as the Huskies make their longest trip ever to play at Baylor.

An apparent stomach virus has hit various players including QB Cody Endres and DE Lindsey Witten.  However, both have recovered and are supposed to start come Saturday afternoon.

This is a good sign considering Witten is tied in the FBS average 3.5 sacks a game this year.  Also, Endres is expected to start his first game since last year where he defeated Cincinnati and lost a tough game to West Virginia.

UConn has put behind them what happened last week at home against North Carolina, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the aerial attack of this offense.  It is now Cody Endres' time to put those questions to rest and get a big win for this team.

Coach Edsall has put it in the simplest terms, UConn needs to execute.  They need to get more first downs and move the chains down the field without committing penalties and turning the football over.

It is going to be just as tough on the Huskies defense as they will have to stop duel threat quarterback Robert Griffin who can sting you with both his arm and his legs.  He had a great game at Wake Forest, and he is one player that you won't miss when watching this game.

The defense played excellent for three quarters against North Carolina.  One of the captains, Scott Lutrus, is still questionable for this game, and if he is unable to go expect to see a lot of Kajuan Darby who had a strong game against UNC.

This is going to be a hostile environment and is going to test UConn as a team.  It was a close game last year and I expect much of the same later this afternoon.

UConn is going to need to control the ball on offense.  Mixing up the pass and run is going to be important to keeping the Bears offense off the field.  It is going to be a battle that should raise UConn's level of competition.

In a tough, hard-fought battle, the Huskies win, 27-24.

After the shocking, stunning, however you want to explain it lose to the North Carolina Tar Heels the UConn Huskies are moving forward.  This new direction forward will be led by red freshman Cody Endres.  His role has been promoted to starting quarterback after an uncertain knee injury sustained by Zach Frazier.

Endres came in the game in the third quarter and led a touchdown drive off an interception that gave UConn the ball in it's own territory.  Although Endres was only 3 for 7 for 30 yards he looked ready and composed in the pocket for someone who came into a tight game off the bench.

All of the hard work and dedication that he put in during the off-season will pay off now as he tries to put pick up the anemic passing offense.  The Huskies will go into Baylor Saturday afternoon after suffering one of the most bizarre losses in the programs history.  What's done is done, and Endres can only improve and help this team win football games.

It is not like he has never played before.  He started and led the Huskies to victory against Big East Champion Cincinnati Bearcats last season.  He also played in a losing effort to West Virginia.  A game that UConn played well against and if it wasn't for a dropped touchdown pass early in the second half, the outcome may have gone the other way. 

As you can see been a lot of what ifs with this team.  Now is the time to change that and raise the level of success and production within the passing game.  The offense is already at a disadvantage because defenses are loading the box against the run. 

Better teams are well prepared to stop the run, which is why it is vital Cody Endres is finally the answer to a passing game that has not been viable since Dan Orlovsky was leading the team.

Coach Edsall has said there is going to be a change of sort at wide receiver. That could mean rotations or sets but the point is clear what is happening now needs to stop.  Cody Endres is getting the opportunity to lead this team early in the season.

There is no real news about the seriousness of Fraziers knee injury so it is clear that if Endres comes in and is effective and wins football games this is his job.  He is a big quarterback listed at 6'4 223 lbs.  He stands tall in the pocket and has the arm to make all the throws needed in this new offense.

All he has to do is go out there and manage the game.  As a quarterback he needs to be mistake free and move the ball up field.  Hit his open targets and know when he can take chances or just throw it away.

Endres has what it takes to be a solid quarterback for the Huskies.  There is no doubt in my mind he can go out there and win football games.  His first test will be Saturday in Waco, Texas at Floyd Casey Stadium staring down on him will be 50,000 screaming in green and grey.

What a game the Huskies came out and played Saturday afternoon. 

For three quarters, they executed on offense and defense to perfection; leading 10-0, who would of thought the tables would have turned so quickly.

This loss stings for the simple reason that now UConn is 1-13 all time against ranked opponents. 

A program that is still searching for that marquee win that proves they are the real deal.  Anything can happen playing in the Big East, but beating a 19th ranked North Carolina team at home would have been a statement.

Then again, the wackiness of this game was unlike any game I have ever seen in person.

The Huskies had the crowd rocking and were in total control. Even after starting quarterback Zach Frazier went down with a knee injury, the Huskies managed a touchdown drive off a North Carolina turnover led by back Cody Endres.

In the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels faced a 3rd and 18 from inside their own ten yard line; but they kept getting backed up from penalties.

This was the beginning of the comeback no Husky fan wanted to see. A prevent coverage allowed an opening in the field, and UNC converted the first down on a 21 yard completion from Yates to Highsmith.

Then a consistent running game up the middle, and pass plays over the middle, turned into first downs and led to a touchdown on second and goal from the four. It was a ball towards the outside caught by tight end Zack Pianalto.

This was the beginning of some very bizzare plays. Pianalto dislocated his right foot while jumping up and down in celebration.

A snap over the end of Endres in the shotgun resulted in a 12 yard loss. Then, faced with a 3rd and 22 from the fourth, the Huskies were two minutes from overtime. The only problem- a screen pass of 20 yards was called back due to a holding call in the endzone on tackle Dan Ryan; the result was a safety.

So now, North Carolina had the ball and they would run out the clock right? Wrong!

UConn did the unthinkable in recovering the onside kick. They had new life with 90 seconds left in the game. After a couple completions, the Huskies had the ball at just past midfield.

Then there were a couple of questionable pass interference calls- combined with a decision by Edsall not to use a timeout before 3rd down- in which UConn lost about thirty seconds off the clock. Instead, they used it before 4th down, and UNC blitzed resulting in a sack on Endres and all hopes of a comeback were erased.

The end of this game left just over 38,000 fans stunned in what they had just witnessed. The feeling in the stadium was complete shock and disbelief that the Huskies had let a 10-0 lead vanish in the fourth quarter.

That is football and the Huskies did not get the job done. They had 3 three and outs, and key conversions by the UNC offense left a winded UConn defense on the field. 

Coach Edsall said it best after the game: "There is no moral victories in football". 

Yes, this loss stings unlike any this team has suffered before. But it's football and Saturday is a new game. Going to play Baylor in Waco, Texas is going to be a tough environment. The Huskies are going in with a new starter in Cody Endres. It isn't going to be easy, but its a great chance to redeem the loss to North Carolina.

Edsall will have his team ready to go on the road this Saturday. Every week is a new week in college football. 

After all, the Huskies are one of only three teams going out of conference to play three BCS teams in UNC, Baylor, and Notre Dame. It shows this team is committed to success and they will not let one game dictate the rest of the season.

The UConn football program is young in existence compared to most BCS teams.  Only playing at the Division I level since 2003, it is opponents like North Carolina that will test each and every aspect of a collegiate level program.

This team lost both depth and experience to the NFL last year and as a whole there is still unanswered questions at multiple positions.  After last season's terrible performance in North Carolina this game on paper looks easy for UNC.  Don't be fooled.

Yes, UConn has only beat one ranked opponent in his six years of playing Division I football.  It was against 10 South Florida and was at home.  I remember rushing the field at the game.  There was as much thrill and excitement in that stadium than any other Connecticut football game.

With pending weather conditions forecasting a chance of rain and a sure to be wet field, that only plays into the hands of the Huskies.  Regardless weather will not be a significant factor in the outcome of this game.

Frazer needs to be Zach Frazer.  He can't try and force the ball into wide receivers that are not open.  If the play is not there he needs to just throw it away.  His composure will have to remain calm, cool, and collective in order for the Huskies to be able to throw the ball on the UNC secondary.

The offense is certainly going to be led by the one-two punch of Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon.  Flash and Force as like to call them need to have the same explosiveness as they did against Ohio.

Todman flashes when he hits the hole.  He needs to stay focused and do what he does best.  Dixon forces his way through the line and keeps the legs moving.  The size and strength of both these runners in any coaches dream.  The performance of "Flash" and "Force" could be a deciding factor at the end of the game.

There is talk that linebacker Scot Lutrus is questionable.  He got a neck stinger at the end of last game and has practiced on and off this week.  He is a large part in how the Huskies run their defense.  After all he is a team captain and leader of this team.  I fully expect to see Lutrus on the field come tomorrow afternoon.

The Huskies always play better at home.  They are 29-10 at The Rent in East Hartford since it opened in 2003.  Yes, this is going to be an interesting game to see what happens come Kickoff.  When it is all said and done there will be a much clearer picture of what direction each of these teams will go.

Don't sleep on the Huskies.  UConn in a 24-21 thriller.

Yes, it is only the second week in September, but this week's North Carolina team is one of the toughest opponents on UConn's schedule this season.  A win in this game will generate even more buzz for a program that has been built over the last decade.  A lose would bring up more questions and curiosity about where the Huskies rank in the Big East.

Let's make it clear: There is no front-runner in the Big East.  Maybe Cincinnati, but besides from them, it is a wide open race.  There is no reason to think that UConn can't compete with the tops team in the Big East.  People were ready to hail Rutgers as the toughest team in the division.  Then they got trounced at home by Cincy 47-15.

With Pat White gone to the NFL, the Mountaineers are searching for a sense of direction.  They still have star back Noel Devine, but they looked far from stellar against a sub-division team in Liberty.

South Florida is always a solid football team, but no one knows how their defense is going to be.  Matt Grothe is going to put up big numbers at quarterback, but he can't do it all.  This team will be one to watch, especially as Big East play starts.

Then there's the teams like Louisville and Syracuse.  Let's be honest, if either of these teams win the Big East, it would be a miracle.  Sorry Greg Paulaus, you're not the savior Syracuse football has been looking for, even though I expect you to win a few games for the program.

Connecticut is going to be somewhere in the middle of the back.  If they play like they did against Ohio, it's going to be hard to make a bowl game.  Then again, this team is better than that and they have the potential to be in the top tier of this division.

UConn has been to three bowl games.  They have gone bowling the last two years, and were Co-Champions with West Virginia in 2007.  This is a situation that Randy Edsall has been through before.  It is a long season, but how you play against tougher teams early on is a good indication of what direction the team is headed in.

North Carolina at home is a huge game.  No matter what the outcome is this week, the Huskies have to go into Waco, Texas and face the Baylor Bears next week.  An up-and-coming team that has a lot of excitement out of the Big 12.

The winner of the Big East Conference is still awarded a BCS Bowl Bid.  Let's not forget what is at stake.  Whether or not the Huskies have what it takes to win this conference, it is still to early to be determined.

Saturday will be a big indication.  The home crowd is sure going to be rocking and ready to do what it takes to see a UConn victory.  The Huskies remember what happened last year in Chapel Hill and now it's time for payback.  A win Saturday will show the rest of the Big East to beware of the Huskies.

The Connecticut Huskies sure have their work cut out for them when they take the field Saturday at Noon for the home opener of the 2009 season.  Coming to town is No. 19 North Carolina, who is coming off a 40-6 thumping of The Citadel.

UConn certainly made some mistakes again Akron, and if they continue to repeat those mistakes, Saturday could be a long game for them.  Then again, the coaches saw the film and know what they need to correct to be successful against a talented Tar Heels team.

Randy Edsall wasn't a happy coach after beating Ohio 23-16 Saturday night.  He had every right to be upset with some areas of his football team.  He has been around long enough to know how to address a problem quick and fix it.  That is why there is a lot of excitement surrounding the game this weekend.

North Carolina is a strong team, but this game is certainly winnable for the Huskies as long as they successfully complete the game plan.  It certainly plays into the Huskies favor that this game is at home.  Last year UConn struggled when they faced North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

There are three major objectives that if UConn can accomplish they have a strong chance of winning this game.  Obviously to pull out a W in this game, it is going to have to be a lot better then it was against Ohio.

3. The Huskies are going to need to put pressure on the quarterback T.J. Yates.  Lindsey Witten has a superb game last week with three sacks and a safety.  There's going to need to be just as much if not more pressure up the middle against North Carolina.  Look for defensive tackle Kendall Reyes to anchor the defensive line.  He has the size and strength to get to Yates any play he drops back to pass.

2. The pass coverage for the Huskies needs to be significantly improved from where it was against Ohio.  Redshirt freshman Jerome Junior needs to just be himself out on the field.  Last week, he was lost in coverage and that led to easy touchdowns for Ohio.  He's got the talent to succeed at his position all he needs to do is put that to work.

Senior leader of the secondary Robert Vaughn needs to be a leader on the field.  He was a second team All-Big East selection last season and now is when they need to his playmaking ability the most.  The Huskies need their secondary to give its all on Saturday if the Huskies plan on being in the game.

1. The Huskies need to continue to the dominant running duo of Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon.  If the Huskies get the same kind of production as they did last week out of the backfield, they will be right in it at the end.

Just as important as the backfield is the offensive line.  They are the ones opening up the holes for Dixon and Todman to run through.  Mike Hicks and Moe Petraus have continued to win the battle at the line of scrimmage time after time.

Lastly, and maybe the most important is the decision-making of quarterback Zach Frazer.  He had an inconsistent game Saturday where he made some poor decisions.  Those same mistakes can't be made against North Carolina if UConn expects to win.

Yes, the wide receivers need to do a better job of securing the football but it is Frazer who's throwing the football.  Dwifton, Kanuch, and Moore all need to make sure they are timing their routes right and finding the right places in the open field.

This might UConn's toughest opponent all year.  North Carolina and its coach Butch Davis had built a quality football team.  Then again so has Randy Edsall and his Connecticut football team.  Look's like this one is going to be settled on the gridiron come Saturday afternoon.