Caleb Troop

An Inside Look: Connecticut (Sept. 5)

-  I checked in with Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant.  You can read his blog here.

-  The expectations will be down for the Huskies in 2009 after four draft picks and five other players earned NFL tryouts.  But optimism persists because 11th year head coach Randy Edsall has done an outstanding job over the last few years in developing depth.

-  The Huskies are 8-0 since 2004 against teams that currently reside in the MAC.  UConn beat Ohio in Storrs during the two teams’ first ever meeting in 2002.

-  The Huskies have an interesting schedule, traveling to Notre Dame a few days before Thanksgiving, heading to Baylor in week three to play in the state of Texas for the first time in 20 years before hosting Rhode Island in the two teams’ 94th meeting in week four.

-  True sophomore Jordan Todman will try to replace Donld Brown (27th overall, Colts) at running back for the Big East’s best rushing offense (216.4 yards per game).  Todman is faster and shiftier than Brown, who led the nation in rushing last year, but Todman does not possess the wits or the powerful stiff arm that made Brown a first round pick.  Todman was just one of two true freshmen to suit up last year for the Boys from Storrs.

-  Senior tailback Andre Dixon could see action as well.  Dixon split time with Brown back in 2007 as a second team All-Big East selection, but a pre-season injury last year sent his ’08 campaign spiraling downhill.

-  The running game has always been a strength under Edsall, and the Huskies expect that to continue this fall.  However, UConn will begin to implement a pass-oriented scheme into the game plan this year because, for the first time in a while, they have a true gunslinger at quarterback.  Tyler Lorenzen was solid last year, but one need not look farther than the fact he had a tryout with the Jacksonville Jaguars at tight end—not quarterback—f or proof that he did not have a real hose.

-  That offense will be a mixture of the spread and a few no huddle looks that is sure to keep Ohio on its toes.  Still, the Huskies bread and butter over the last few years has been pounding it out on the ground—that will not change.  UConn threw just five touchdown passes last year.

-   Notre Dame transfer junior Zach Frazer is the starter under center.  In five unimpressive appearances last year his numbers (6 INTs/2 TDs) were not great.  Frazer has a strong arm, but is a proven risk taker as evidenced in his three-interception performance versus West Virginia last year.  He too often tries to squeeze the right pass.

-  Frazer will try to improve two ugly stats from last year’s offense: five red zone interceptions and a 24% fourth down conversion rate (4/17).

The Huskies offensive line allowed a league-best 15 sacks.  All five starters started all 13 games.  Along with William Beatty (60th overall, Giants), center Keith gray will need to be replaced.  Moe Petrus, who was a freshman All-American last fall, shifts from left guard to center while Mathieu Olivier takes over at left guard.  Several players are in the mix for Beatty’s left tackle spot.

-  The jury is still out for the wide receivers.  Many names and a bunch of potential is prevalent, but Coach Edsall is concerned with drop balls.  That could be a factor come Sept. 5 at Peden Stadium.  The wide outs only need to be effective, not spectacular, for the Huskies.  After all, a fullback (Anthony Sherman) was second on the team with 26 catches last year.  Leading receiver Kashif Moore (27 catches) as well as true sophomore Michael Smith, Brad Kanuch, and senior Marcus Easley round out the corps.  At tight end, five underclassmen are competing for playing time.

-  Now to the defense, where the Huskies’ top five tacklers all return from a team that was 6th in FBS in total defense last year (278 yards per game).

-  On the line, defensive ends Julius Williams (Jaguars, FA) and Cody Brown (63rd overall, Cardinals) combined for 17 of 32 sacks.  Both have departed, though the interior line stays intact.  Sophomore tackle Twyon Martin (6-1, 272) started the last seven games up the middle for the Huskies defense and Kendall Reyes (6-2, 272) earned a few starts as well.

-  Many questions surround the ends.  Lindsey Witten (5 sacks) will be a first-year starter but is expected to have a phenomenal year.  The Cleveland native (Glenville H.S.) could play on Sundays down the road.  Marcus Cambpell was slated to be on the other side but was ruled academically ineligible earlier this summer—a huge loss for the Huskies as he was the most experienced end returning.

-  The linebacking trio of Scott Lutrus (106 tackles), Greg Lloyd and Lawrence Wilson combine for 59 career starts and had 235 total tackles last year, or 28 percent of the entire tackles by the Huskies.

-  UConn’s pass defense was impressive, as they surrendered a Big East-best 168.2 passing yards per game.  The secondary allowed just nine scores through the air while picking off 18 passes, four of which were returned for scores.  The loss of cornerback Darius Butler (41st overall, Patriots) will hurt, but Jasper Howard and experienced backup Robert McClain will fill the gaps.  Howard, who was picked on a lot last year as teams avoided throwing at Butler, should have a solid 2009 showing.  The problem is, the unit is top heavy and cannot avoid any injuries.

.  Safety should be OK as well with senior Robert Vaughn (67 tackles) returning with his 27 career starts.  The other safety spot is to be determined.

-  In the special teams, the well-liked punter  Desi Cullen, who is also responsible for kickoffs, netted just 32.7 yards per punt in ’08 but is so highly respected by the team and media that he has been named a captain.  While UConn will be looking for a new long snapper, the shifty Howard does return to bring back punts.  He led the Big East in punt return yards, averaging just under 11 yards per return last fall.

-  Keep an eye on the Huskies’ punt protection unit, an area where they struggled last year (six blocked punts).

-  Kicker Dave Teggart became the starter during the middle of the season last year, converting 13 of 15 attempts, including his first 11.

-  Consensus:  Every game is won in the trenches, sure, but Ohio’s defensive front four must have its best performance of the year straight out of the gate for the ‘Cats to start the season on the right foot.  Forcing Frazer into quick, ill-timed throws will be important, but even that will be irrelevant if Ohio can’t clog up the ground game early against Todman.  Playing mistake-free football on offense and in special teams is key, as is bullying a way through an undersized Huskies defensive front four.

-  Check back tomorrow as I preview the week two match-up versus North Texas.

Filed under: 2009 Bobcat Blog, July '09 Blog Notes |