Cincinnati Live Blogging!

First quarter

First possession: Here comes Cody Endres. Three possessions, -4 yards. Endres 1-for 3. In for a tough day.

12:09 pm: Punt blocked! Disaster. Could this game start any worse? Cincinnati takes over on the UConn 15.

12:12 pm: Great job by the UConn defense holding the Bearcats to a field goal. 3-0 Cincinnati. That's a positive. UConn can't have punt blocks.

12:20pm: This is how you lose. You are 1-10 from the 38, have a 25yard run,and are called for holding. 2nd and 20. UConn is its own worst enemy.

1:19 p.m.: UConn is right there. Need to make a play. Cincinnati ball is on UConn 40 after a 30 yard punt and 40 yard return (wind seemed to hold the ball up). UConn is throwing the ball. It's there, but UConn is just missing. Good play-calling today.

12:24 pm.: Good drive. Endres is making some good decisions. Teggart ends with 26 yard field goal 3-3. Endres has a good arm.

12:37 pm: Donald Brown 2-yard TD run. As good a run as you will see. He hurdles one defender,then freezes another defender and dives in for a touchdown spectacular. Also spectacular, Cody Brown with a pair of sacks and forced fumbles on the previous possession. 10-3 UConn. Is the worst over?

12:44 pm: Well that was quick. 5 straight passes, 27 yard TD to Gilyard on a crossing pattern 10-10. Quick passing game didn't allow pressure to get to Pike. Got to do a better job in coverage.

First Quarter wrap

Considering how it start, good first quarter for the Huskies. Endres looks comfortable and UConn is being aggressive and looking to pass. Defense great2 possessions, forget to cover on the other. Game is manageable. UConn has to provide some resistance in pass coverage. Give the rush a chance to get there.


Second quarter

1:05 p.m: UConn finally gets a break. Muffed punt leads to a recovery by Cody Brown after punting from your own endzone. At worst it changes field position.


1:34 p.m.: Penalties are killing the Huskies. Every drive its 1-20. A lot of passing now with Endres,not much results. 12-for-27 for 104 yards. He is struggling with accuracy. Not a great percentage. Defense has played great. Get this at 10-10 and regroup. Rob Lunn is injured and hasn't come back.

1:45 pm: 54 yard FG by Cincinnati's Jake Rogers with the wind. Third and 20 and they get 16yards to get a 52 yarder. I know its with the wind, but 54 is pretty steep.13-10 Cincinnati 35 seconds left.

That was a big play.

Halftime wrap

UConn throws 28 times in the first half, completes 12. It's a tough spot for the Huskies. Endres had a difficult second quarter, and the Bearcats are content to let Endres beat them. 30 times is a lot. Defense has played great. Special teams hasn't been very good. Endres is going to have to get a little more accurate to have a chance. The receivers are there if he is accurate.

Some more halftime thoughts: Game is 1 play away from breaking in Cincinnati's favor. UConn can't allow a touchdown to begin the second half. Down 20-10, and you could say goodnight. I don't think Endres has a comeback in him. Huskies defense can't break at all. That's tough to play like that, but perhaps UConn can get field position, stop committing penalties and get Donald Brown and a short passing game going. Huskies, 6 penalties for 59 yards. That's a lot. at home.

Receivers are available for Endres. He really struggled in that second quarter with his touch and accuracy.

Third quarter

update 2:10 pm: Tony Pike out, Chazz Anderson in for Cincy. Interesting. Pike was 10-of27 and didn't really do much outside of one drive. We'll see if this is permanent.

Update 2:21 pm: Defense was tremendous stopping Cincy 3-and-0ut to open the half. 1-yard TD run by Jordan Todman on the ensuing drive. 17-13 Huskies. Checkout this -- redshirt freshman Cody Endres completes a big pass to freshman Michael Smith. Freshman Todman goes in for the touchdown.

Bright future.

Update 2:30 pm: 8 play 55yard drive, field goal by Cincy. 20 MPH is making kickoffs difficult,since started at its own 40. A 10-yard defensive holding call drew Edsall's ire. Good hold by the Huskies. 17-16.

Update 2:46pm: 47-yard FG by Teggart! I thought Edsall was crazy against the wind. Kid has a bigtime leg. WOW. That was very impressive. 20-16 UConn.

2:48 pm: C.J. Marck strips ball. Aaron Bagsby recovers it on the UConn 18! Huskies go into the 4th with the wind.

Third Quarter wrap

Catching breaks. UConn is making plays, and they are moving the ball. Defense has been tremendous, and Cincinnati made a mistake. Huskies punch in a TD here to go up 11, it will be difficult. Now, UConn is 1-play away from creating some distance. Teggart FG was a revelation.

Fourth quarter

2:54 pm: Teggart 32 yard FG. How the heck was this kid not playing this year?These kicks are straight down the middle. Ohh my lord. 23-17. Bearcats still in this.

update 3:14 pm: Cody Brown caused two holding penalties.Third down pass INT by Reggie McClain. Huskies are at the Cincy 20. Huskies can put the game away here.

Update 3:18 pm: Weird turn of events. TD overturned,and third down play stopped at the goalline. Teggart 22 yard field goal, fourth of the day. 26-16. Heading down to the field final 5 minutes.