Yankee Bowl imminent

Presser tomorrow at Yankee Stadium to announce a college football bowl game. No word on the exact details, but since the Big East isn't going to send out a press conference alert if they aren't in the game it's the Big East plus. It's Big East No. 4 vs Big 12 7 per SI. 


Regardless of the conference (from all other reports looks like Big 12), this is a home run for the Big East (awful metaphor).

NYC can be a Rutgers, Syracuse or UConn crowd, and that's very important for the conference. Pitt too can have a big crowd. Every bowl game the BE is in now is like a road game.

NYC is beautiful around Xmas and New Year's. Even the cold is fine. The big problem for me would be the sticker shock for the visiting team. I have been in the south and midwest and hotel and food prices will scare people like you wouldn't believe. My room in Dallas at a full service Mariott was $89. You can't get a Red Roof Inn in the tri-state area for that.

Hotels will be $200 a night, likely more.  The price of a hotel during Big East tournaments at MSG are legendary. That's Manhattan, but that is where people will want to stay if they come up here. Logistical issues and price are a problem. We'll see on this. Should be a good bowl for the Big East teams.

Curious what the affiliation and pick the bowl gets as well as a date and pecking order.

Pittsburgh game time pushed

Good news for the Huskies. The game time in Pittsburgh has been moved to a 6 day window and could be picked up by ABC Regional.

Game time will be announced no later than Oct. 4.

It's either going to be the BE game of the week at noon, or an ABC Regional game. It's West Virginia vs.  Syracuse or UConn vs. Pittsburgh for ABC.

Sunday wrap

Quick news, safety Kijuan Dabney is out for the year and will have surgery on his shoulder. He didn't play Saturday. It's a problem he has had since the summer. Running back Kelmetrus Wylie is out 4-6 weeks with a fractured forearm (didn't hear which arm).

Tough break for both. Dabney hasn't taken a redshirt year, I don't know if he played too much this year already to apply for a medical redshirt. I think the only game he saw extensive action was against UNC. Not sure how much special team work he got.

As far as the big news about Zach Frazer and Scott Lutrus, they are out and not cleared for contact. Edsall has no idea when they will return. You can't have a QB controversy until Frazer is healthy. I am getting more concerned about Lutrus. If he can't play against Pittsburgh in two weeks it goes from a nagging injury to very serious. Frazer? He has to show he is healthy before he is even in the mix. Just not healthy right now, and I don't believe that is fully spin (he has to have a target date in his mind).

Game balls out to Cody Endres, Reggie McClain and Trevardo Williams on special teams.

On a side note, the fact that USF is not in the top 25 this week is a travesty. Sure they had a light schedule, but that win at FSU was a big-time performance. When Miami beats FSU it's an incredible win. When FSU betas BYU it's an incredible win. When USF goes into Tallahasee and beats FSU, it's because FSU is overrated. The southern conference bias in the AP poll is so pronounced it makes it a farce.

Reality check

Encountered this while writing my story.

The 292 yards is the most a UConn quarterback has thrown for since Tyler Lorenzen threw for 298 against Duke in 2007.

That surprised you, didn't it? Why am I being a Debbie Downer? Because the most important thing in college football to me is week-to-week consistency. I remember that game from Tyler Lorenzen and he looked terrific, as did the UConn receiving corps. Terrance Jeffers had 8 catches that day (as did Mike Smith today). I am telling you this because I think it's important not to jump the gun and to use a Randy Edsall term "anoint" anyone. URI was averaging giving up 315 yards per game passing against UMass and Fordham. If UConn couldn't throw it today, they weren't going to be able to on anyone.

Lorenzen had a terrific junior year, and a mediocre to poor senior season. But, looking at his career that first game was the best he ever played. Hopefully, this will be a jumping off point for Endres and not a pinnacle.

Where do the Huskies go from here? TBD. Endres has managed the offense nicely in his two starts and avoided turnovers. I don't think we have see enough of Frazer to make a determination on his abilities or effectiveness. I have seen enough of Endres in these two games that I think he has what it takes to win. That's for sure.

What I liked about  Endres today was his ability to get the ball down field. This wasn't dinking and dunking for 289. Endres stretches the field and can really throw the ball when given time. His accuracy on short passes is dreadful, but that can be worked on. He makes the hard throws, he has to learn to make the touch ones.

Endres gained confidence. I have been harping on Endres to get rid of the ball quicker and Edsall alluded to that in the postgame. Confidence seems to be the issue here. Endres isn't slow reading his plays, he is waiting too long for the guy to get open. Edsall would like him to throw it and let the receiver make a play. Perhaps Endres is trying to be too fine. That said, he can throw the football and he is so relaxed it borders on comatose.

There were players free all day on the field. It was a good performance by the offense and the wide receiver corps should gain confidence. I wouldn't anoint Endres yet however. I also don't see how you immediately make a change. If Frazer can't practice this week because of injury I would be inclined to go with Endres for Oct. 10. How long will Frazer be down for? It's week-to-week right now and the assumption is he will return for Oct. 10. We are assuming and that's dangerous. Until he steps out on that practice field however Cody Endres has to be the starter for this team.

This business about you should never lose your starting job because of an injury is a pro football thought. I don't think it applies in college football. That said, the offseason, spring practice and summer camp should mean something.

Three years ago the Huskies didn't have anyone who could play quarterback. Now they have at least two. That's a comforting thought.

Some other notes.

Mike Smith bounced back nicely and showed no ill effects of a bum knee. Smith is a terrific route runner and is good underneath and over the middle. Smith is going to have to be a major player for this team. The Huskies are probably going to whittle it down at wide receiver. They can't keep playing 9. I know Mike Smith will be there, and I think Isiah Moore makes enough plays. After that no one has done much. Dwayne Difton is two games without a catch (or a ball thrown at him) and Kashif Moore has had few snaps and even less action in the passing game. Brad Kanuch gets 1 long one a game, but just doesn't get enough looks. Perhaps they should give Smith and I. Moore more snaps and then work the other guys in situationally. I don't like shuffling that many receivers in and out. Hard for one guy to get in a rhythm.

Frosh receivers show promise. Mike Lang is a deep threat and I like Nick Williams in space. Would like to see Difton get more balls thrown his way. All in all, a good crops of young ins.

If you didn't notice, Jerome Junior may have lost his job a strong safety. Junior has tremendous potential, but he is still learning the position and Aaron Bagsby has returned from a suspension. Bagsby is a playmaker and a ballhawk, and he was flying around there making plays. He isn't the size of Junior, and probably will return to free safety when Robert Vaughn graduates, but now Edsall has options at safety. Harris Agbor has returned and Bagsby is back along with Kijuan Dabney. It isn't Macus Aiken backing up at safety.

In the secondary, playing Reggie McClain at the nickel has worked well. McClain had two more INTs today. Having him play there and with Blidi Wreh-Wilson at corner has worked well.

On to the Big East:

Incredible win for USF over Florida State. That's a program builder though the quite "It changes history" is kind of silly. What does that mean? You can't change history, you make it. It sounds profound, but I don't get it.

Rutgers won over at Maryland in a crucial game for the Scarlet Knights. I don't know how Maryland got so bad. Considering the light schedule Rutgers plays they couldn't lose this game. A lot of pressure and that they came away on the road is a positive. Lastly, there is Pittsburgh.

The Panthers had a chance late and scored 31 points, but surrendered over 500 yards of offense to NC State. The Panthers are on the cusp of the top 25 and they lose another head scratcher. First and goal for the 8 and they can't get it in with the game on the line? Pittsburgh is a tease, and they always have been.

When you get excited, they always disappoint (Sun Bowl last season). I am done with Pittsburgh.

Postgame URI

Randy Edsall was encouraged by the performance. Huskies passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns with no  interceptions. Mike Smith had an excellent game with 82 yards on eight catches. He had good chemistry with Endres.

There were 7 fumbles, but Edsall attributed it to trying to do too much with the ball. That would include the two muffs by Jasper Howard and the two dropped punt snaps by Desi Cullen.

As far as a QB controversy, Edsall would have nothing to do with it. Zach Frazer isn't even cleared medically yet, so there is no controversy right now. I don't know Zach availability for practice this week, will ask tomorrow during conference call. Endres has played well enough and managed the offense well enough to make a compelling case to remain the starter in my book. Now, Frazer didn't have the benefit of playing against Rhode Island, and winning the job in the spring and summer should count for something. Still, this is a good problem at QB for the Huskies.

Endres does hold onto the ball a little too long and Edsall mentioned he wants him to let it fly and show a little more confidence. This was a big confidence booster for the offense. This was the 122 game of Edsall's career and the 1000th in UConn history. Edsall improves to 61-61 in his career.

Be back later.

Game blog URI

Kickoff: Can the URI captains take any longer to get to midfield for the toss. Just saying. Hurry up young Rams. UConn wins toss and takes the ball. I can't take this new Randy Edsall. It's like he's cheating on me. Two weeks in a row decides to receive. Incredible.

Game 12:04 p.m.: Dixon starts and goes 20 something yards first play. Mike Lang also starts.

Game update 12:06 p.m.: Endres TD pass to Andre Dixon. 19 yards. First career TD pass for Endres.  7-0 Huskies. This one doesn't look like it's going to be competitive.

Update 12:14 p.m.: People are not even in their seats yet. Jordan Todman 3 yard TD run set up by a Reggie McClain interception. 14-0 UConn 9:23 left in first quarter.

Update 12:26 p.m.: Endres fumbles the ball at 33 after review. Endres just didn't make quick enough decisions. The protection was fine. Got to pull the trigger.  That and short range accuracy are Endres' greatest weaknesses. Quicker decisions needed.

Update 12:31 p.m.: Uh Oh. 67 yard TD pass from Chris Etienne to Ty Bynum. Corner passed him off to safety Jerome Junior who just flat out whiffed on tackle. Junior wanted to put on a big hit and missed. He should have just made the tackle. 14-7 UConn. Not a good sequence.

Update 12:34 p.m.: Mike Lang's first career catch is fumbled. Huskies two turnovers on consecutive possession. URI takes over at UConn 44.  Bagsby in at safety after junior burned.

Update 12:39 p.m.: Meme Wylie out for game with arm injury. McClain has his second INT of the game. 2:35 left first quarter.

First quarter wrap: Huskies jumped out to 14-0 and then stopped playing.UConn has fumbles 3 times, two recovered by URI. Some of the breakdowns are mental. When the Huskies aren't making mistakes they can't be stopped. Endres 8-of-9 to open but has fumbles twice. One was on him, the last one was on Dan Ryan who was just beat easily off the ball by the end for a sack.

Second quarter

Update 12:48: Todman 8-yard TD run. Huskies have got the game back. 21-7.


Update 1:02 p.m.: Huskies having trouble protecting Endres on certain plays. Have to do a better job there. Desi Cullen dropped a punt snap, avoided two tackles and took two steps before actually punting it. Great play by Cullen. Why he dropped the ball? I have no idea. Looked like Australia rules football there.

Update 1:19 p.m.: Teggart 19 yard field goal with 30 seconds left in half. 24-7 #UConn. It hasn't been a crisp game for the Huskies. That's the best I can say. The first two drives were crisp, then that's it. Huskies are in no danger of losing this game, and the passing game is working when Endres has time, but it should be better. Biggest thing is the running game isn't really dominating. Offensive line hasn't been nearly as good against URI as it was against Baylor.

Halftime wrap: 24-7 at half, no danger of losing for the Huskies. Cody Endres 12-of-15 for 152 and a touchdown. He is doing a nice job. A couple of times held ball on too long, but he can throw the ball. Mike Smith getting a lot of work in the passing game. 6 catches 61 yards. Running game isn't being featured. Todman 10 carries for 63 yards.

Huskies had one big misplay on defense by Jerome Junior that led to 66 yard TD play. Aaron Bagsby has replaced Junior and been all over the place. Not a great first half for the Huskies, but they are in no danger of losing. 24-7.       

Third quarter

1:48 p.m.: Concentration thing. Howard on a punt sets up short because the two previous URI punts were short. The punt goes 58 yards and Howard tries for an over the shoulder catch and muffs the punt. URI takes over at the UConn 20. 5 fumbles, 3 lost for the Huskies. Simple concentration.

Update 1:52 p.m.; Huskies defense hold on a 4th and short from the UConn 11. Huskies take over. Defense has play well except for one play.

Update  2:09 p.m..: Jordan Todman 2 yard TD run, his third of the day. UConn 31-7. That's about if for the live game blog today. Going to make this and early day. Huskies need to clean it up, but getting some good work against Rhode Island.

Update 2:18 p.m.: Give it up for true frosh Mike Lang's first career TD catch of 50 yards. He had 1 catch earlier, and he fumbled it. He was wide open on the throw. 38-7 UConn. I like Lang, spent about 10 minutes with him Tuesday. His parents were coming up possibly for game. That would be a good present. I'll check after.  

Game Day URI

Weather: 55 degrees with a New England chill. Perfect football weather. This is classic New England early fall weather.

There is beefed up security here at the rent.  Even media got patted down coming into the game. I am sure there is going to be a long delay coming into the building. Why? On recommendation of law enforcement. It was a little much, but wasn't as bad as some places. Not a fan of the pat down.

It's hard to gauge here against Rhode Island. In one sense, UConn doesn't want to act like they are going to beat Rhode Island easily. The problem is when you project fake concern it comes across as just that -- fake. UConn takes Rhode Island seriously, dont' get me wrong, but the most important thing today is to stay healthy and keep positive momentum going.

I would expect a quick, simple, and powerful game plan that is heavy on the run and being physical.

The most interesting games to me are in the Big East where USF-FSU, Rutgers-Maryland and Pittsburgh-NC State. I don't think USF has a chance without Matt Grothe, but Pittsburgh should be able to knock off NC State if they are truly a top 25 team. If Rutgers loses to Maryland I don't want to hear from a Rutgers fan until 2010. Maryland somehow has become a terrible team. I don't know what happened to the program. Ralph Freigden was pretty hot there for a couple of years. You always strike while the iron is hot.

Big East rankings for Week 4.

1. Cincinnait
2.Pittsburgh
3. Wes Virginia
4. UConn
5. USF (no Grothe penalty)
6. Syracuse
7. Rutgers
8. Louisville

We'll see how it plays out. Back more with later.

Thursday injury update -- No Lutrus

In a non-surprise, Scott Lutrus is out for Saturday's game against URI. Randy Edsall said it's the training staff telling him that he is out, but I got a feeling if it was the Orange Bowl he would be in there (just a hunch).

I am all for holding him out. He sat out the previous two games, no need to expose him to punishment Saturday. He has already missed two games and with an FCS team and a bye week, the prudent course is to hold him out and not expose him to future injury and let him heal fully. Of course, no one can say that because that would mean that UConn is "overlooking" Rhode Island (the horror). It's a game now, and that's fine, but  how does he go from questionable to out without getting re-injured?

You don't. Opponent determines how much you are going to push him, and there is no need for Lutrus to play Saturday. I just can't write it any other way. The benefit of having Lutrus in there is not worth the risk of further injury against an FCS team. They should handle Rhode Island anyway.


I don't get why UConn can't say we are holding Lutrus out just to get him more rest for the long season. By saying we want Lutrus to be fully healed does in no way diminish Rhode Island. You want to respect your opponent, but don't overdue it. Don't elevate your opponent beyond what they are.  To me, it's patronizing.

UConn can take Rhode Island seriously and be smart at the same time.


That said, Sio Moore, Mike Smith, Kashif Moore or probable. Lindsey Witten has had the GI (stomach virus) but is a go. The usual suspects are out including Frazer and Griffin,

The Thoroughbred and the Workhorse

I am at a lost for a nickname for Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. Fire and Ice, Thunder and Lightning etc. I was trying to come up with something with Dreads, but Todman doesn't really stick out yet. Every good running back tandem has a nickname. If someone gives me one I like I'll send you an Oklahoma media guide.  I also have Ole Miss and Tennessee hanging around if you want it.

For now, it's the Thoroughbred and the Workhorse. Looking at Dixon and Todman on paper, their stats are similar, though they have gotten there in different ways.

Take Todman. He is fast and explosive. When he gets outside in space he can run away from the defense. Get him a seam and he will race through the hole. He is like that race track thoroughbred that is beautiful to watch run. Explosive, fast and somewhat fragile. That's Todman. He is beat up after every game running between the tackles. He has 326 yards on 65 carries for a 5.0 average and pair of touchdowns. Against Ohio he dominated with speed.




On Saturday they needed something a little more physical to make the defense hurt. That's Dixon, he's the workhorse blue-collar running back that can wear a defense down. Dixon has speed, but he is at his best hitting the hole fast and making quick decisive cuts. He isn't going to have many big-time runs, but he moves the chain, gets positive yards, and can finish off a game. Todman excites and makes the Huskies a one-play scoring team. Dixon can chew yards out in bulk against a tired defense. Dixon has 270 yards on 58 carries.

"A fresh Jordan is better than a tired me," Dixon said Saturday. "And a fresh me is better than a tired Jordan."


Is this what Edsall and Joe Moorhead designed? I don't think either is going to win a job outright and get all the carries. First off, neither is built like Donald Brown and Todman is bruised up enough after 20 carries. I cringe to see what 10-15 more "tough carries" would do to him. It would slow him down, so keeping Todman fast and explosive would seem to be the most prudent course of action.

Dixon doesn't have the big play or top end speed of Todman, but he is a little like Brown in that when you feed him the ball he ends up making things happens. Dixon needs a lot of carries to get going because he does that tough inside running.  Eventually he will hit a hole and bounce it out for a 12 yard gain.


Dixon only got 7 carries against UNC, and I thought that was a mistake. The staff fixed that this week when they rode the tough running Dixon to a win over Baylor. The pair have almost the equal number of carries and that bodes well for this season. In fact, I think Dixon has been on the field for more snaps this season. Both are fresh in the fourth quarter and as the season wears on, keeping each healthy and fresh will be a key to the Huskies continued success.

Quick Sunday

Game balls went to Andre Dixon, Lawrence Wilson and Desi Cullen/Japser Howard.

Injuries: Sio Moore, Scott Lutrus, Kashif Moore are questionable for next week. Mike Smith is probable. Zach Frazer and the usual suspects are out.

The Huskies will welcome back Aaron Bagsby into the fold this week as will Beau Brunelli (who is out injured). That's the news for today.

Got to pay the bills.

Edit: Blogger isn't working well here at the office.I will do more when I get home. 

Greetings from 30,000 feet

Love the fact that delta offers in flight wifi. It's a big win for the Huskies. They had to be 3-1 going into Pittsburgh which should happen barring disaster against uri.

I am going to post some photos of Edsall and players with members of the CT Army National Guard 118th medical unit. They are headed to Iraq in weeks. It was touching. I listened in on a phone call from a father to his son and he talked about how awesome the game was. Father had no idea who the great No 2 was. Son had to inform him. Pretty touching.









Team Photo on field.








Jeff Hathaway inviting the unit to a game when They all cheered.






Andre Dixon was last one to leave.








Edsall after the game. He brought players in locker room. Classy move.

Be on later tonight.


-- Post From My iPhone

Postgame

I will settle for more later, but this was a huge win for the Huskies and righted the ship. I can't tell you the difference in demeanor.

They rode Andre Dixon, who ran 07 style for 149 yards on 31 carries and a career-high 3 touchdowns. Him and Jordan Todman have a pretty good chemistry going.

"A fresh Jordan is better than a tired me," Dixon said. "A fresh me is better than a tired Jordan."

The Huskies did what they do best -- looked Baylor in the eyes and smacked them in the mouth. It was a spirited performance. Robert Griffin is a terrific quarterback, but he wanted no part of UConn after. They pounded him and hit hard. Considering Lutrus was out again, it was as fine a defensive performance as I have seen in my four years covering the team.

The Huskies didn't have Lutrus or Kijuan Dabney. They played nickel the entire game and Blidi Wreh Wilson was good as was Jerome Junior. Only 2 big plays all game accounted for 100 yards. Without those two,Baylor had 166 yards on maybe 46 plays. That's defense.

Huskies also played Mike Lang and Nick Williams at wide receiver. The young players are starting to pay off.

I will post more when I get back to the hotel, but the CT Army National Guard 118th medical battalion out of Newington was here. They were at Fort Hood and will be shipped off to Iraq in a few weeks. They came down to shake hands the Huskies and the players lined up and shook hands with each of them.

They then went to the locker room and celebrated for the Huskies. Andre Dixon was the last to leave. He took pictures on the field.I have some photos on my IPhone. It was touching and classy of Edsall to do that. He didn't even know they were coming to the game.

All in all a great day. I'll post some photos when I get back.

Some notes: Andre Dixon was terrific. His 31 carries and 149 were the second highest of his career. Endres was good because he managed the game and made no mistakes. He throws a nice deep ball. He just has to get the ball out faster, and become more accurate on the short passes. He looked comfortable today, and he can play the position at this level.

Defense was incredible. Don't mind about the score. It got tight, but the defense wasn't taking any risks.

I didn't have a good feeling when I got here, I think the team has a chance as long as they don't self destruct at QB and receiver.  

Got to pay the bills, and drive back, see ya'll back in Dallas.

Live game blog

Pregame: Baylor students lined up and storm the field in unison. They create the gauntlet for the players to run past. It's pretty good. Best moment was a kid in a gorilla costume drop kicking the banana costume. Mr.Kool Aid has made an appearance.

UConn wins toss, will receive! UConn never receives. Already out of comfort zone.

Update 4 p.m.: Huskies discovered that Sherman is a pass threat. Endres connects with Isiah Moore 28 yard pass. Endres looks confident first drive.

Update 4:09:  Drive fizzles at 22.The Great Dave Teggart 39-yard field goal. 3-0 Huskies. That's encouraging. Endres looks comfortable. 11plays 55yards, 4:38 in time. 3-0 UConn.

Update 4:14pm.: On third and four, Jay Findlay goes 74 yards for a TD. Just a simple up the gut run, Robbie Vaughn whiffed on a tackle 10 yards in. That's a miss.Huskies opened up in nickel. Only 2 LBs out there. Tough start for the pups.

Update 4:19: Mike Lang in at WR. Endres missed two open receivers on a great play fake on 1st down. On third down blitz Endres holds on to ball too long. He has to get through progressions quicker or go to his check down receiver. Three and outs...not a good sign.

 Update 4:28p.m.: Nick Williams an appearance. That's 3 true frosh WRs playing this year.

Update 4:32 p.m.: Huskies moving the ball. There are plays out here. Endres had an open receiver got the ball to him. UConn catches break. Todman fumbles after 10 yard gain. Fumble recovered 10 yards by Kanuch. Huskies 1st and goal from 2.

Second quarter

Update 4:45 p.m: Dixon 1 yard TD run. Huskies large Time of possession lobsided for Huskies. They can throw and run against Baylor.Comes down to execution.

Update 4:45 p.m.: Huskies defense playing great except for 1 play. McClain sacks Griffin on third down. Griffin is fun to watch though.

 Update 4:51 pm: While the Huskies are in a timeout. The offense is going on another drive. Huskies moving the ball on the ground and Endres is 7-12 passing. It's there for the Huskies' taking. Dixon, strong tough running. Erik Kuraczea is in a guard.

Update 4:54 pm: Dixon looks great running. It's '07 version of Dixon, running tough,slashing. Offense looks great and is beating down Baylor.

Update 4:56 pm: Drive stalls 14. Endres couldn't connect on short 3 and 4 pass. Kid can throw it deep, but his middle range accuracy needs a ton of work. Dave Teggart FG. 13-7. Keep the ball on the ground Moorhead.

Update 5: pm: The defense is incredible. Bad special trams play however. Jerome Junior ran into kicker on 4th down. It wasn't a 1stdown,but they lost 30 yards on the play.Huskies takeover at their own 23.

Update 5:06p.m: Ednres was sacked. He is not getting the ball out quick enough. He has to make quicker decisions.

Update 5:16 p.m.: Penalties hurting the Huskies. Had 1 15yard gain called back on previous call by holding. Had a run into kicker. And late in the second a 20 yard pass play was called back because of an illegal man downfield. Need to concentrate. 

Update 5:18 p.m.: Teggart kick of 45 yards is blocked. Huskies go in leading 13-7. I feel like the Huskies should be up much more.

Halftime wrap: Huskies have been superior in team in every way except for a single play. Without the 72 yard TD run, the Bears have 16 yards of total offense on 17 plays. Huskies up 13-7, should be more. Teggart jhd a kick blocked at the end of half. It's not akiller and 46 yards is no gimme. But,he can make that play. The running game is dominating, and the Huskies defense is even better than it was a week ago. Those option passes are going for a yardor 2 at most. Penalties have hurt the Huskies, and the inability of Endres to make quick reads. Endres  is playing a decent game and he is a classic thrower. But, he needs to make quicker reads. He is 8-of15 for 107 yards, it should be much more. Receivers are open. Huskies are a good passing game from being a real threat in the Big East. Everything else is top shelf. Endres has played well, but he needs to get the ball out quicker. You have to like what you see from Endres, just needs to make quicker decisions.

UConn has run 44 plays to Baylor's 18 and the Huskies are 2-1 in time of possession. Besides the one score, the Huskies have dominated Baylor. 232-88 total offense. Dixon 84 yards on ground, Todman 54 in first half.

Update 5:43 p.m.: Regiie McClain picks up a fumble on the kickoff. Huskies start third quarteron Baylor 23. Robbie Frey forces the fumble.

Update 5:46 p.m.: Andre Dixon 10-yard TD run. Huskies have to bring this home now. 20-7 UConn, 13:39 left third quarter.

Update 5:48p.m.: Fumble by Baylor again. This timeon a 1st down play. Bears has collapsed.UConn takes over at the Baylor 20.

Update 6:52 p.m.: Dixon for his third TD today. Huskies up27-7. Plenty of time left, but Baylor looks like deadman walking. Is Griffin a cardiac surgeon?

Update 6p.m.: Third and 28 and the Baylor Bears get a 1st down? This is an awful job by the defense. This is too many times this season already. Could have finsihed off the Bears, now Huskies gave them life.

Update 6:01 p.m.: Griffin 8-yard TD run. Too quick and had bad special teams play. The third and longs are ridiculous. 27-14 UConn. Awful job by defense, I don't know why they continue to give up these third and a miles.

Update 6:09 p.m.: Huskies drive stalls atmidfield. Here is a simple observation. When Endres has to throw the ball downfield he is fine(throwsa great ball). Anything between 5 and 10 yards is not even close. Go figure.

Update 6:14 p.m.: Halfback option gets blown up. Some reason Kendall Wright throws it up for grabs. Jerome Junior first career INT. Easiest one he will ever make.

Fourth quarter

Update: 7:21. Baylor has ball at their own 36 on third and 5. One more score by the Huskies should do it. I would feel a lot better about the game if the Huskies didn'tgive up the third and 28 and susbequent TD.


Update 6: 30 p.m.: My god.Penalties killing Huskies drives. Two false starts penatlies abd a holding call have ruined a 56 yardpunt return from Jasper Howard. Huskies should be crusing to the game. Now,it's still iffy.

Update 6:40 p.m.: Huskies justpunding the ball onthe ground.Dixon and Todman each over 100 yards. Huskies have 46 rushes for 1 96 yards. 8 minutes left in game 27-13.

Update 7:46 p.m.: Teggart 34 yard FG. That's 30-14 UConn. That should be enough with 5:45 left.

Game day Baylor

Long ride out from Dallas to Waco. Stadium is beautiful. I am a big fan of college football stadiums. I also took a drive by the Cowboys' new stadium. Jaw dropping.

Anyhow, just some quick news here.  Scott Lutrus isn't in uniform so it's not official, but it looks like he is out. He is walking around like a coach. If he isn't playing this week, we aren't going to see him until Pitt is my best guess.

On the travel roster is Nick Williams and Mike Lang. Mike Smith is out and Randy Edsall has talked about breaking some new players in. Gerrard Sheppard is here also, but when you bring true freshmen on the trip they aren't here to just hang out. Nick Williams is supposed to a game breaker type player, great in open field. I don't remember either being on the travel roster, I will have to check back to Ohio.    

Remember, live game blog going on.

Friday in Dallas

I expected it to be hotter here. The weather is partly cloudy and about 75 degress with no humidity.At least that's it in the Dallas/Forth Worth area.

Today is a day for some sightseeing. Just got back from the Texas Book Depository, which is a tremendous museum. I got goosebumps looking out the window of the 6th floor. I know Kennedy's assasination was 45 years ago, but the place still has some kind of power. Perhaps because Ted Kennedy died recently I am more attuned. Of course I have pictures of the building (no photography inside) and I walked around a bit on the grassy knoll. If you come here, I highly recommend the museum.

The funny thing is for such a bigger than life historical event, the building isn't that big and the grassy knoll is just a small piece of grass. It's just a simple side street on a parade route. The museum wades into a lot of the conspiracy stuff too. That's always fun. Anyhow, highly recommended.

I am going to hit the new Cowboys Stadium tomorrow to get a peek. I can't wait to show my disdain for the house that Jerry built. It's not helping there is a Cowboys fan club party going on in this hotel. There are at least 30 Mariott properties in this area. Why me? I am tempted to put on my No. 9 pink Jessica Simpson-- Tony Romo jersey. You know, Tony has great looks. Perhaps he can play Super Bowl champion Eli Manning in the movie. He isn't raising the Lombardi Trophy any other way, that's for sure.

I don't get Baylor - 10.5. I wouldn't take that

Publish Post

bet with your money. Chow, got to eat and do some work.

Thursday update

Quick Thursday update on injuries.

First off Cody Endres and Lindsey Witten have practiced. The bug has worked its way though team and Edsall is hopeful that it's done. As for injuries, the usual suspects are out including Sio Moore, and Scott Lutrus is questionable. Mike Smith, wide receiver, is OUT for this game. He has a knee problem and didn't respond in the few plays he got Saturday. They had an MRI and the results were negative. Right now, they are going to shut Smith down and see if rests help. That moves Kashif Moore into the WR spot full-time (or at least on the depth chart). Edsall continues to indicate there is going to be a change at wide receiver somewhere.

Edsall also talked about how unforgiving the first three games have been. The Huskies offense hasn't had the opportunity to take some risks and perhaps find out what it can do.At this point, Edsall has a good grasp at playmakers.

    "I think now after two games and after this week in practice, what you might see on Saturday, from a personnel stand point, we got it to where we need to be and who can be out there and who is there to make plays for us. With three teams we opened up with you can't do too much experimenting. If we were paying some other teams some of these issues can be worked out. With the quality of teams playing this year it is tough. Some of these guys are young and some of these guys are playing for the first time."

So like I said a month ago...the schedule is too tough. That's not an excuse, it's a reality. UConn is a young team and a work in progress. It's a brutal opening in my own opinion.

Scout team players of the week are Brian Parker, who is a WR by trade and played Robert Griffin this week. David Kenney on defense, a safety, and Malik Generett on special teams. Quick comments on these guys. Parker is a 6-4 wide receiver and a redshirt freshman who is ineligible this year. If he is athletic enough to simulate Griffin, and considering his height, I would think that he is a player that would have had a good shot at playing some major minutes when he is eligible to play. I don't remember talking about him much, but quick, tall and athletic is a combination the Huskies don't have at that position. They could really use a player like Parker, especially if he can sumlate Griffin in anyway. 

Also, when I see Malik Generett on the scout team would lead me to believe that he isn't one of the WR options Edsall is talking about. Perhap's it's a plant, if it is Machivelli would be proud.

Kenney is a 6-foot-0 205 pound safety out of the Peddie School.  Now why am I telling you this? It's a bit of an inside joke, but a couple of weeks ago Edsall mentioned his name about a move to the Husky backer position (I think when Harris Agbor got hurt or Aaron Bagsby was suspended, and they moved Kijuan Dabney back to safety). Well, I never heard of the kid (or least couldn't remember the name -- hey there are 100 plus, give me a break), and let's just say it's hard to ask questions about someone you don't know a thing about. Well, I tried to ask some questions and it didn't turn out well.The interview is sketchy but I remember Edsall looking at me funny and then I asked.

"Who the hell is David Kenney?"

Well, he is Scout team player of the week. Congrats David, good job, hope to meet you some time.

Chow folks. Time to pay the bills and pack for Texas.

More notes

In this internet age, there was a bit of a controversy today in the media room when Edsall was told that Cody Endres intimated that he wasn't ready or prepared to come in to the game Saturday. Edsall took the comment as though Endres wasn't prepared to play as a backup which irritated Edsall to no end. 

Edsall in his mind demoted Endres to the 8th string QB and quickly said -- "If Mike Box plays well we might go with Mike Box." Endres was summoned to Edsall's office for a chat and then was brought down -- sick and all -- to the remaining media. I had already left to get to work, but I received a couple of calls that Endres in fact came down and told the reporters he didn't remember saying anything that could be construed that he was not prepared to play. 

It's a non-story, but if you read the Mike Box quote without context you might think it is an open competition this week. It isn't. If Endres is healthy he is going to play and Box is going to be the backup. The Huskies aren't going to hold back however. If playing Box for whatever reason is better than what Endres is doing, the  Huskies are going to go with the player  that gives them the best chance to win. 

Edsall also talked about how the reps go in practice. Zach Frazer and Cody Endres get all the reps in practice. Mike Box hasn't taken a repetition during practice since the season started. Endres needs to get out there to develop a little more comfort level with his O-line, specifically center Moe Petrus. Petrus had a costly premature snap because he confused Endres' cadence with something he heard. That’s a comfort issue. In case everyone forgot, Endres has a good arm and throws a very tight ball. It doesn’t have the RPMs that Frazer’s has, but Endres can throw the deep ball. What he has to work on is making quicker decisions and reads, and that intermediate pass accuracy.

Endres has an ability to move in the pocket perhaps a little better than Frazer. To me, it’s how quick Endres can read the defense and how accurate he is on the intermediate routes.

Tuesday presser

A little late to the party, but there is a stomach bug running through the Huskies team right. The main victims right now are quarterback Cody Endres and defensive end Lindsey Witten.

Endres woke up this morning vomiting and he won't be at practice today, which is somewhat alarming. Mike Box, the true freshman for Georgia, right now is the man in the ho tseat. He is going to run the first team offense and if Endres can't go he will be the player playing. Endres is expected to recover after 24 hours, but it's has to be a crash course for Box just in case.

If Endres can't go for any reason or his hurt during the game, Edsall was adamant that Box is next in. The Huskies are going to go with their best quarterback and not play around with trying to save a redshirt. Box is getting all the snaps today in practice.

As for Witten, he picked up another sack on Monday. There has been a lot of dispute as to his sack total and the defensive end picked up another one when he was credited with a sack that was previously given to Jess Joseph. Witten had three sacks against Ohio and four against UNC. He leads the nation in sack with 3.5 per game. He wasn't available either because of the GI (assuming it stands for gastrointestinal bug).

Other highlights: UConn coach Randy Edsall is adamant that the passing game is getting better. He brushed off the statistics which shows the Huskeis are once again near the bottom of the FBS in passing. He thought before he got hurt that Zach Frazer was throwing the ball well and the stats look much different if it were not a Brad Kanuch and a Isiah Moore drops. 

I also have some good stuff from Reggie McClain, Kendall Reyes and Scott Lutrus.

Scott Lutrus looks and feels like he is ready to play. He thought he could play last week, but there was no talking the medical personnel in it. The Huskies will be practicing this week in the Shenkman Center and turning the heat up.

That's it for now, got to pay the bills

Witten, Endres sick

Lindsey Witten and Cody Endres are sick. Not swine flu.

Lindsey Witten was credited with another sack. He has 7 this season officially. 3 against Ohio, 4 against unc. Witten's sacks leads the nation at 3.5 per game.

-- Post From My iPhone

Sunday update

Quick update: Zach Frazer has a "right knee injury" won't require surgery. He is out this week against Baylor and probably the following against URI. Bet on him playing at Pittsburgh after the bye week. Endres to start, Mike Box to back up.

Ryan Griffin is out (back) as is Sio Moore. Scott Lutrus questionable.

"I don’t think he will be ready for this week and next week either," Edsall said. "He was doing some good things out there and was throwing some good balls. That was disappointing to see (the injury) happen.”

That's the news. Nothing much after that. Could be a change coming at wide receiver, but it might be one of the younger guys getting a chance in the rotation and not a starting switch. We'll see.

Got to pay the bills,

John

More thoughts at home

I sense a little too much cynicism about the team. Skepticism is fine, but the Huskies aren't USC and will never will be. That can't be the expectation. It's a crushing loss, but I think they proved they could play with a team like Carolina that could win the ACC. That bodes well. 

It was a hard-hitting good rough and tumble college football game. It was a shocking way to lose, but I saw some encouraging signs out there. The defense is top notch, and that is without Scott Lutrus.

Butch Davis thought UConn's was terrific on defense. UNC threw the kitchen sink at UConn. They were calling plays essentially drawn up in the dirt. The big adjustment for the Tar Heels in the 4th quarter was much more misdirection. All the pass plays came off misdirection. I got the feeling that UNC was impressed with UConn defensively, not just paying lip service.

"We are very fortunate to win this game. There is no way you can talk about this game without saying how fortunate we were," UNC coach Butch Davis said. "To make some of that fortune happen a lot of things had to happen, our kids to keep competing and playing hard. They spilled their guts out there every single snap."

I know there is a lot of frustration with the offense, but I think unlike last week at Ohio U, you have to give North Carolina some credit. There were a couple of key drops and a fumble on an end around that really killed UConn. I don't know the extent of Frazer's injury, and that is worrisome. Cody Endres looked uncomfortable when he came in. Frazer has been the unquestioned starter since the spring, and he has consistently beat out Endres for the position since last year. The gap between Frazer and Endres is a lot bigger than I think we all think.

I thought Frazer was fine out there today. The throw to Kanuch was a little high, but it didn't sail on Frazer. Kanuch can't have that hit off his hands for a pick.

I have a small problem late in the game when they are at the 50 and the clock is running. I thought they needed a timeout to regroup and get a good play in, not necessarily to save time. Endres had Todman open in the flat and went to a slant with Kanuch. Then on third down they threw a tough pass to Todman over the defenders shoulder. 4th down Endres had no chance, pocket collapsed. That would have been a nice time for a draw.

I think its safe to say this is going to be the best defense the Huskies will face this year. What did everyone expect? UNC's defense is superior to UConn's offense physically and played like it.

The major drama now is at QB. If Frazer is gone for an extended period of time it will wreck the season. Endres can throw it a bit, but he didn't look comfortable out there and that is a position the Huskies can't take a step back in. If it is Endres for an extended period of time, then I think you are going to see a much more conservative offensive game planning than what they want to do with Frazer back there.

UConn had outgained UNC 189-134 through three quarters. In the fourth quarter UNC gained 134 yards. Time of possession in fourth quarter was 11:06 UNC, 3:54 UConn.

Got to finish games.

Some other thoughts:

*Lindsey Witten was a monster. He too ran out of gas late, but he had 3 sacks officially, and I think he got another one that they gave to someone else (should have halved one with Jesse). Six sacks. Could have used one late.

*Desi Cullen was outstanding and even drew a penalty on Bruce Carter.

Today's story.
 

Quick postgame

I am still stunned. Bet all of you are too. No news on Zach Frazer. He had a lot of ice on his knee and we won't know until tomorrow. No speculation. Just have to hold breath and pray.

The disaster of the safety possession started with Moe Petrus thinking he hard the snap count. It's all on Petrus:

"It was loud and I thought I heard him say HIT,"Petrus said. "I couldn’t hear cadence. It was a  communication error and my fault. You have to step up and make plays you have to make. It wasn’t on Cody.The other linemen didn’t react. His cadence, I thought I heard it"

Ryan said he didn't think it was a hold. I didn't see a replay, but from those who did they said it was a hold. Here is Ryan.

"We had slid the protection and I turned to press back in. We got tangled up and both went down. I didn’t feel like I grabbed him and put him to the ground.”
Edsall was more in the cheer up mode after the game. And you want to be a football coach?

(UConn) is a good football team in that locker room. We came up a little bit short. This game is over. It’s 0-0 on the clock. You can’t get it back when it’s over. All you can do as a coach, parent, teacher, when make a mistake or the game  is over you coach them up.

“There won’t be any screaming, yelling and hollering, and go correct it. We will hit field at 4:55 and move on. I won’t enjoy watching this tonight, that’s for sure.”

Live gameblog UNC

UConn won the toss will defer. Place is 70 percent full. That's a start. People still filing in. First kickoff imminent. Ball returned to the UNC 22. Here we go.

Update 12:06 pm: UNC three and out first possession. Good start. JapserHoward tackled by the back judge on the play. He had to hurdle the judge.

Update 12:08: Carolina holds.A Frazer incomplete pass was picked up and returned for a touchdown. But it was ruled incomplete on the field. He had a nice pass to the tight end that was stripped away. It's a work in progress. At least they got they punt off.

Update 12:22 p.m. McClain INT of UNC's Yates. Great catch.

Update 12:36 p.m: Kashif Moore had a first down on an end around. He got destroyed by Charles Brown and fumbled the ball. He had the first down. Missed opportunity. UConn was at the UNC 35.

Update 12:25p.m.: Huskies gothree and out. UNC defense is stifiling. Punt was too close to being blocked.Crowd groaned. Ended up being a 52 yard kick to the UNC 3.

First quarter wrap

Defensive battle as expected. Each team has a costly turnover, and UNC has some momentum with a third and 2 at the UConn 28. I don't like the feel for the Huskies. UNC's defense is big and physical and they are having their way right now. Yates has been moving UNC through the air. Not much rushing for either team.

Update 12:45p.m.: Third and 2 and UNC runs it.Play is stuffed. UNC then misses FG from 44 yards. Not even close. Huskies luck out there. Defense is playing a heck of a game. Carolina has 12 rushes for 10 yards.

Update 12:53 pm: My god. Kanuch cant catch a first down and the tip is intercepted. A little high, but that's a catch you have to make. It wasn't a poor throw. UConn has two turn turnovers. Killing themselves here. Kanuch has to make that catch.UNC returns it to the 50.

Update 12:57 p.m.: UConn defense is playing a big time game. Lindsey Witten has 2 sacks, and Greg Lloyd had a nice sack on a delayed blitz. Can the offense not shoot itself in the foot?

Update 1:10 p.m.: Lindsey Witten is a nightmare for a depleted UNC line right now. He has 3 sacks. UConn defense is dominating, as is UNC's. A mistake from one team is going to win this game.

Update 1:17 p.m. 47 yard FG attempt to end half. The Great David Teggart nails it for a 3-0 Huskies lead. Boy, did the Huskies need that. 3-0 at the half.

Second quarter

It'sa defensive battle at the half. Teggart's field goal has to make UConn feel good. UNC is down 3 offensive linemen and it shows. I would say that the struggles on offense for UConn is more UNC than it is int he UConn offense. Kashif Moore took a big hit when he fumbled. The interception on Frazer was on Brad Kanuch. It didn't hit Kanuch in the numbers, but it was a good enough pass that it should have been caught. That was a killer, Kanuch was down inside the 20 for a first down. Frazer looks a little better today. Not much out there on offense, and it's more UNC than UConn. As far as thwe defense, Witten is an absolute monster. He has 2 sacks(should have another, pehaps a half sack, but I digress) in the first half and forced a fumble. He will see doube teams coming.

First half stats, Jordan Todman 52 yards on 12 rushes. Frazer 9-of-15 for 52 yards and one interception. UConn has held UNC to -17 yards rushing. Most of it on sacks by Witten. Shaun Draughn has 10 carries for 15 yards.

Third quarter

Update 1:42 pm: UConn 3rdand 5. False start. 3rd and 10, dropped first down by Isaih Moore. Bad opening for the Huskies.

Update 1:45 p.m.: How do you compelte a third and 20? That's just awful defense. Got to force the ball underneath.

Update 154 pm:  UConn drives stalls at the UNC 35. Cullen great punt to an awaiting Robbie Frey at the 1 yard line.

Update 1:58p.m.: Looks like Frazeris hurt. Endres has his helmet on and is warmed up. Frazer getting worked on by trainers. Frazer bag of ice on right knee. Endres coming in.

Update 2:12 pm: Twyon Martin catches a deflected pass by Robert McClain (great close) at the UNC 25. Todman goes in on the 4 yard line for a TD. The GreatTeggart makes it 10-0.

Third quarter

Patience is a virtue. Huskies offense didn't do much, but the defense turned UNC over and the HUskies scored a TD on the short field. Frazer is out and he seems to have a right knee injury. That's problematic for later, but as far as today,it shouldn't have much of an effect. Endres is 1-for-1. Defense coming up big. UNC is driving right now and is at their own 48. UConn has to rely on defense to bring this home.

Fourth quarter

Update 2:29 p.m.: UNC on the board with 22 yard field goal. Defense did a nice job late inthe dirve keeping UNC out of the endzone. 10-3 UCOnn, 10:56 left.

Update 2:35 p.m.: UConn just trying to hold on. 10-3 with Endres in there. Pups went three and out. Defenseis going to win this. Desi Cullen has had an incredible game punting.

Update 2:41 pm: UNC completes a third and 21. Huskies play way too soft in third and a mile.

Update 2:45 pm: UNC at UConn 48 with under 6 to go. Huskies just trying to hold on.

Update 2:57pm: Huskies in trouble. Defense looks gassed. UNC down inside the 5 with 4 minutes left.

Update 3 p.m.: Diaster brewing here. Endres just had snap go over his head. 

Update 2:49 p.m.: Defense letdown and is gassed. Yates TD pass. 2:36 left. Delay now as Zack Pinault injured himself seriously while celebrating. Truck is out. PAT good. 10-10.

Update 2:55 p.m.: Up to Cody Endres now. Holding in endzone., Safety,holding by Dan Ryan. I can't believe this.12-10.

Update 3:05.Onside kick recovered. Huskies have life.

Update 3:07: Thought Kanuch was interferred with.Todman nearlymadea great catch. 4th and 4. ...Endres sacked. Got to make a quick throw there. Bad loss for the Huskies. How do you lead 10-0 in the 4th quarter? I just don't get this.

Game Day UNC

UConn-UNC ready to to roll.


Lutrus update: Unconfirmed, but this is a blog and I think I can do this. Confirmed by UConn. Lutrus is out for today's game per UConn.

Setting the scene: Dreary day here in East Hartford.The tailgates are firing, but it reminds me of June. There is excitement. The field is beautiful and the move from here. Going to a tailgate sponsored by ESPNU. See you in a second.

Update 10:58 am: Not sure how the coaching staff plans to deal with Lutrus' absence.That's a big blow to the defense. They can go many different ways. Greg Robinson out to SAM from backup Mike. Or, they could keep freshman Jerome Williams there or move Kijuan Dabney from safety back to linebacker.Anyway you cut it, it's a blow to the defense.

Update11:45 am: Kijuan Dabney to start in Lutrus' place. ForUNC: Line shuffle with Greg Elleby at guard and Cam Holland to start at center. Anthony Elzy to start at fullback.  

In today's JI

Quick pop on Lutrus.

As for some other things. Thanks for the email on our website at the Journal Inquirer and the UConn stories. If you haven't noticed we are going to a paysite for much of our content. We are leaving the UConn stories up for free. We are working on moving it outside the pay wall. In the meantime, the UConn stories are posted also in the "top stories" tab. These should be accessible for a time for free. Today we had UConn football, and men's and women's hoop stories.

We'll work on getting the UConn tab out from under the pay wall. 

Don't forget live blog tommorrow.

Why isn't it sold out?

This is an issue that I am sure going to gain more steam. A top 25 team is coming to The Rent and the Huskies are struggling to sell tickets? I can't really put my finger on what's going on here. The game is at noon, and it's not cold out. It isn't hard to get to the stadium and it's not like UConn hasn't marketed the program. If you don't know that tickets are available then you are living under a rock.

I am out of the loop now on "fanbasedom. I have asked around the office and I don't think anyone can really put a finger on it. Is the economy playing a part? Sure, but I don't think the tickets are extremely expensive.

We heard complaints for years about game times. Saturday afternoon is college football. Is that much soccer, swimming lessons etc. going on Saturday mornings? That would seem to me the biggest difference between UConn and other schools. Other places the kids come to the game, it is the highlight of the week, not an activity. I just don't get this. UConn has worked hard to sell these tickets, it's a top 25 team coming in, and the team is actually interesting.

Is it that much of a hassel to go to the games?

Does anyone have any ideas?

Anyhow on to other topics

Player A: 10-of-24 for 127 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions.

Player B: 9-of-20 114 yards, two touchdowns, 1 interception.

Player A's team went on the road and beat a team that made a bowl game two years ago 23-16 in a hostile environment. Player B's teams beat up on a military FCS school 40-6 at home. 

Player A is Zach Frazer from UConn, Player B is TJ Yates from North Carolina. 

I am mentioning this because I haven't heard the sky is falling references concerning Yates play, though it would seem to be every but as mediocre against a lesser team at home.

Randy Edsall mentioned on Tuesday that Ohio gave Ohio St. trouble last season and is picked by many to win the MAC east and make a bowl game. So, here is a question.Did we all overreact (including Edsall last Saturday night) to Zach Frazer's first game?

I think time will tell, but I got the feeling I may have jumped the gun. It's a new season. You shouldn't let your frustrations of past years cloud your judgment of a totally different player.

Thursday update

Just a quick update, Scott Lutrus is questionable for Saturday. He has practiced this week (or Edsall indicated so in a round about way). He still is suffering effects of the stinger. Right now he is 50-50.

That was the only injury update. If Lutrus can't go the Huskies may change some things around. Remember, he is the most indispensable player on the defense and there would likely be 2 players taking over his duties.

Lutrus said Tuesday he is playing. I don't think they will be able to keep him off the field. Final say is coaching staff, but I am betting he plays.

Gotta pay the bills, see ya'll later.

In today's JI

Here is today's Desi Cullen story. He has to be the most honest person in sports.

You know what's amazing about that? How does one player block three punts? How does a team make a bowl game getting six punts blocked? The more I look at last year, with the talent, the more I think they underachieved.

Some other notes from yesterday that I never go to. An interesting thing Jeff Hathaway said about the schedule that North Carolina contract was signed in 2000 and Baylor shortly thereafter.

UNC wasn't exactly a powerhouse and it probably seemed like a good game for UConn as it builds its program. Go figure that they hire Butch Davis and are in the top 20. Then, Baylor looks like an easy road win but now they have Robert Griffin and a vastly improved program.

You just never know.

As far as scheduling around the same time. Randy Edsall likes having out of conference out of the way before conference games. If the Huskies didn't fill these dates with teams the Big East is within their rights to mandate a conference game in the opening weeks. That is why Cincinnati and Rutgers kicked off the season. I don't think that did Rutgers any good.

As for Rutgers, I hate to say I told ya'll so, but, perhaps the Scarlet Knights should stop trying to be a "national program" and start worrying about winning games.

Rutgers is the opposite of UConn. Huskies don't hype and market to their detriment in my opinion (Donald Brown tragedy a year ago a prime example). Rutgers overdoes it that when they don't deliver they look like fools. Seriosuly folks, Schiano has done a great job building up that team -- it's almost a miracle -- but people end up dismissing them as overhyped, well, because they are.

I have talked about this before, but Rutgers fans have an inferiority complex. Rutgers isn't comfortable in its own shoes. Why can't they just build upon what they already have done? That should be encouraging enough. They have tremendous potential and were a door mat for 100 years and now a bowl caliber team. What more do they want?

The national hype Rutgers got -- which wasn't shared by Big East media I will point out -- was that Rutgers is ready to explode. I don't know on what planet they were talking about. Rutgers essentially is without a starting QB, top 2 WRs, and no proven running backs. In fact, Rutgers has accomplished about as much as UConn has. Rutgers had a great season, and then two medicore ones. UConn had a great year and then had a medicore one. Huskies are 2-1 in bowls overall...Rutgers 3-0. Rutgers never got the chance in 2006 to play a team in a bowl game that was any good. That's sad. That was the only team I saw that was really a top level team (better than any team UConn has had). Last year's team got hot, but they were a Tony C FG off the upright in October from being elimininated from bowl contention. 

So let's be honest...I think they have ridden that one win against Louisville in 2006 long enough. They need another one. Or better yet, how about an entire year of winning games? If Rutgers went 10-2 this year and brought back everyone for 2010, let the media hype begin. But for 2009? After losing Teel, Britt and Underwood? Premature.

Trust the local media people. Not a single Big East writer (24 who voted) picked Rutgers to win the conference. What does that tell you?

I would say Cincinnati is clearly the best team followed by Pitt, West Virginia and perhaps USF (not neccesarily in taht order). I think Rutgers and UConn are a step behind. Rutgers because skill position players are too young. UConn because the roster is too young. 

Ultra quick update

Just some nuggets for now.

* Scott Lutrus said he is going to play Saturday. Edsall wouldn't comment until Thursday, but the captain said he is fine. He felt tingling down his shoulder as a result of the stinger suffered in the fourth quarter.

*Gary Wilburn is the new backup free safety. He is also the nickel back. Edsall didn't want to move Reggie McClain to nickel and play Blidi Wreh Wilson or Dwayne Gratz at corner. Wilburn can play corner, safety and nickel. Marcus Aiken is just not reay to play this season.

* Lindsey Witten was defensive player of the week. He was credited with his third sack after an official ruling change. Ohio University didn't want to give him a sack on the safety. They misinterpreted the rule. Lindsey had 3 sacks.

* Jerome Williams now backup LB at weakside linebacker. Sio Moore out with a hamstring. 

*4,000 tickets remain for Saturday's game according to Jeff Hathaway.

Most of the talk was about the Huskies' new punt formation and talk of Trevardo Williams' play. More on Cullen and Williams later,

Right now, I have to pay the bills.

Sunday wrap

Just a quick note. Scott Lutrus had a stinger and he will be reevaluated early this week. Sio Moore is week-to-week with a hamstring pull.

As for Zach Frazer's performance, Edsall spread the blame around. He said when he watched film the routes weren't as precise and that caused some problems for Frazer. But, he did say Frazer needed to be more consistent.

The film doesn't lie and Edsall did like some of the things he saw. Perhaps when you watch it again it's different. I can tell you in real time the QB struggled though he did throw some nice balls. It wasn't as emotional as Saturday's -- "I have to see the film to comment," but perhaps he didn't perform as bad as it looked.


The turnovers drove Edsall crazy. It's one thing to not complete a pass, you can't turn the ball over.

Game balls: Andre Dixon, Lindsey Witten, Robbie Frey (ST).

That's it for now.

Second day thoughts

Back in CT. Sorry for no blogging update, but it was 1 am by the time I was finished in Athens, and I had an 1:30 drive to Columbus as well as a 6:45 a.m. flight. So, I am on fumes.

It wasn't the kind of opener that Randy Edsall was aiming for. Edsall is usually calm after games but I think he was a mix of angry and surprised at the miscues. He made a point of defending the wide receivers and said there were guys open (there were).I thought it was a bit of frustration showed for Edsall. He wasn't just upset at the miscues, but the lack of playmaking in the passing game bothered him. For those who didn't watch. The production was no different than last year, but I will say the offense can work if those throws were accurate.

UConn tried to throw it yesterday. Frazer was attempting 20 yard outs that Lorenzen and Hernandez would never even attempt to throw.The Huskies did stretch the field a couple of times and went veritcal. They weren't trying to dink and dunk.

That's where the frustration comes in. Frazer had some guys open and he missed them. The Mike Smith interception in the fourth quarter is inexcusable.Smith was in stride and had a step over the middle. That's not Smith's fault.  The worst throw a QB makes is high over the middle, followed closely by behind the receiver. High passes lead to picks, and throwing behind the receiver leads to tips and then the ball is up for grabs.

I am saying this before today's conference call where Edsall will downplay it, but I the coach was fired up enough and angry. I don't think he would allow that kind of inconsistency to continue this week. QB controversy? Maybe.

I thought the leash was going to be long for Frazer this year in the new offense, but turnovers change the story. If the turnovers continue, he will find his way to the bench.  Frazer has a strong arm and he needs to harness it. I don't know much about decision making of Frazer Saturday (I'll let the pro tell me what I saw) but when he did make the right read the pass wasn't delivered where it should have been.

I remember Terry Bradshaw hammering home to me watching NFL that the most important attribute of a QB is accuracy followed by strong arm.What's the use of an inaccurate rocket?

Would I be concerned? Yes. The offense is going to work, but can Frazer be accurate enough? I have to believe he has played much better in spring and fall camp because Cody Endres hasn't sniffed the first team. Endres struggled with accuracy issues also last year (see West Virginia). I don't think you can pin this on the wide receivers. I thought they did a decent job yesterday.

One thing I know for sure, Edsall isn't going to allow the QB position to cost them another season. If it comes down to it, they will throw the kitchen sink at it. If Frazer looks like this against UNC, I don't think he will last the game.

The Huskies have to figure out where they are by the time they play at Pittsburgh in October.

More later after teleconference. I am going to be at a picnic, but I will update.

Live blogging Ohio

Setting the scene:  It's a perfect September here in Athens. This is a pretty place and a pretty campus. Classic college football scene.

The stadium is built in a horseshoe with a grassy knoll under neath the scoreboard. There are trees in the background blend in perfectly. Lots of green. It's an odd feel for UConn. A little apprehension, a little excitement. 

As far as news on the trip, Marcus Aiken isn't a part of the travel roster. Dabney is the backup at both safety spots. Staff wants Aiken to get a redshirt year, and I imagine he isn't up to speed regardless of what the depth chart says.

Here are some thoughts.

O/U on number of  WRs to catch passes today: 7

O/U on Jordan Todman Carries: 20

Chance of Randy Edsall  executing a fake punt: less than1%

Of note: Two reliable sources have said Randy Edsall has not executed a fake punt or field goal in his 10 years here.

Kory Sheets of Manchester cut by the 49ers (I am surprised) and Dahna Deleston also was cut (too bad). Haven't heard on other guys. We'll see how other CT guys make out.

Update 6:56 pm:  The internet is shaky,and I don't have the fancy Air Card. If you don't see posts, head to twitter @johnfsilver.

Update 7:13 pm: Huskies hold on defense. Offense is coming out here. Start on UConn 27. Here's the first play...

First play is Todman handoff up middle for three yards. Second pass Todman for two yards. Third down pass by Frazer high to Mike Smith. Three and out.

Update: First pass to Dwayne Difton off his hands, INT returned down to the Bobcats 6 yard line. Ugh. Nota great throw, should have had it however. First big test for D.

Update 7:26: Defense comes up big.2nd and goal from 5 and OU's Theo Scott pitches it to UConn's Robert Vaughn for a fumble.  Huskies hold.

Update 7:30 p.m.: Spectacular 58 yard run by Todman. Huskies going to the ground game. Inside the 5 yard line of Ohio. OU calls timeout. Is OU tired?

Update 7:32: Touchdown from Frazer to Davis off play-action for a 4-yard TD. Teggart kick good. 7-0 UConn. First completion of season for Frazer.


Update 7:37 pm: Jasper Howard hurt. Limping off on left leg. Getting worked on on sidelines.

First quarter wrap: UConn leading 7-0. Turnovers are even. UConn blowing OU off ball with running game. Passing game not much, and not really trying or forcing the issues. Huskies want to win this one dominating up front.

Update 7:52 p.m.: Defense stops OU on 4th and inches. Huskies passing game hasn't showed.OK, 2nd and 20 rushing?

Update 8:10 pm: Frazer INT at UConn 40. Bad throw, it sailed on him. Frazer not throwing the ball well.

Update 8:14 pm.: Jerome Junior burned for 49 yard TD pass on third and 18.  Horrible turn of events here. Huskies 2 turnovers, 7-7.


Update: 8:23 p.m.: Zach Frazer finally coming alive. 35 yard TD to a wide open Brad Kanuch. Offense has come alive here. 14-7 UConn.

Halftime wrap: Huskies should win this one going away, but mistakes are killing them.  Jordan Todman is the real deal with 111 yards in first half while Andre Dixon has 45. Frazer showed something at end of first half and is 6-of-14 for 78 yards 2 TDs and 2 ints. It's the accuracy stupid...the Huskies are going to throw it more. But, Frazer has to keep the ball down. Second half is going to be telling. Frazer has the arm, but  can he keep the ball down and hit the receivers? That's the question we will start to find out in second half. A little uneasy. The scheme is more aggressive. But, can they throw with accuracy? We'll see.

Update 9:08 p.m.: Teggart misses from 42 yards. That hurts. Huskies had gotten ball down to the 25 before two run plays and a busted screen forced fourth down. Huskies need the extrapoints for some breathing room.

Update 9:24 p.m.: Lindsey Witten safety. 16-7 UConn. This is case No. 1 why you dont' go for it on fourth and short at the 40. I would have run the ball. But, Edsall is stubborn and conservative and it worked out well. That's good game management when you have a defense like the Huskies.

Update 9:34p.m.: Jordan Todman 4 yard touchdown run. Waltzed into the endzone. 23-7. Ohio fans heading to the nightlife in Athens.

Update 9:48 p.m.: After a fumbled snap by Frazer, Ohio scores a TD on a Boo Jackson TD pass to Riley Dunlop. 2points no good. Huskies 23-13. UConn is minus two in turnovers.  Have 9:08 left in fourth quarter. Have to be tighter than what they showed.

Update 9:53 p.m.: Frazer throws another INT. Threw behind an open MIke Smith. Huskies look like they could be melting down here. Frazer needs to make that pass. It's an easy one. 3 INTS for Frazer. Not good at all.

Update : Why is Scott Lutrus not playing? 

Keys to the Ohio University Game

Without further ado, and a littlelate(don't ask), here are today's keys to the game.

1. Beat Ohio U up on the O-Line

Huskies have beaten up on MAC teams,14-1 since the move to I-A precisely because they have dominated on the offensive line. The Bobcats weren't exactly run stuffers last season and with the size and strength of UConn's offensive line the Huskies should be able to physically wear down Ohio.

2. Get Zach Frazer going

The Huskies have to show a spark in the passing game and be productive. This is the debut of new offense, any thing less than aggressive and powerful showing of the offense will hurt confidence. Most importantly, get Frazer some easy passes to complete and get in that tempo.

3. Take the home crowd out

Ohio University doesn't get too many BCS teams to come to the stadium. Ohio is going to live on emotion and will feed off the crowd if things are close. First order of business is to silence the crowd -- quickly.

Gamey day Ohio U

It's here. 9 months after they revamped the offense the debut is today. I am having some computer issues, nut live blog will be in full force around 5 pm.

I am walking around like a caged animal. Did this game really have to go on at 7pm. I'll check in later,


-- Post From My iPhone

Thursday update

Theme of the week. No drama on the Thursday conference call and there were no injuries. This is hold your breath time. The story angles are in a holding pattern. It's all about how this offense is going to perform. Case closed, no other story angle in the opener is even close.

We are all in limbo. Saturday night at 7 p.m. we'll figure it all out.

As for in today's JI. We have a story on hard hittin' Jerome Junior.

Here is a snippet:

Junior looks like a linebacker at 6-foot-1, 214 pounds, but the speed and athleticism that he showcased as a raw camp invitee has turned him into a player with enticing potential.

Junior will replace Dahna Deleston, who is in NFL camp with the Chicago Bears. He is an athletic hard-hitting safety who also has also shown an ability cover the deep ball.

“Jerome is good at exactly what you want at strong safety,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said. “He is big enough, strong enough, fast enough, physical enough to play the run. And he’s athletic enough and fast enough to do the things that you want to do in passing game, play the deep pass and put him in the corner or in the post. He is a guy who has speed and isn’t afraid to hit you.”

 As for a bit of news. Desmond Connor of the Courant is reporting that there is no TV for the Baylor game and no URI TV. The URI TV slight is not surprising, but Baylor's TV rights are controlled by the Big 12. It would take a local affiliate to buy the rights to the Baylor game to show it here. That is assuming the game will be on local TV in Waco. I am not even sure about that.

Think about this, 3 of the first 4 games aren't on TV, and the one game that is on ESPNU which a lot of the state doesn't get. Some people won't be able to watch the Huskies play until October.  That's not how you want to build a base. Perhaps this will drive ticket sales. That's the Huskies only hope. Remember, there is a consequence to playing on Saturday's and this is it -- no TV.

In today's JI

Good morning to all. It's been busy around here and Tuesday's are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. type days, so I wasn't able to flesh everything out. In today's paper we have a story on Brad Kanuch and his last go around.    Kanuch is pretty intense, and he is sick of hearing about how bad the receivers are.

Kanuch watched as what was supposed to be his breakout junior season turned into a nightmare. He had seven catches for 69 yards and the Connecticut wide receivers were among the least productive in the FBS last season ranked 109th out of 119 teams. Kanuch would go entire halves without the ball being thrown his way.


It wasn’t what Kanuch was expecting. The passing game around the Huskies had collapsed and in every way it was a lost year for the speedy wide receiver from Johnstown, Pa.

“Miserable,” Kanuch said when asked to reflect on last season. “I was hurt all the time and the hamstring nagged at me all year. That was miserable and then getting nothing thrown my way. It wasn’t that great a year. It wasn’t what I was hoping it would be. I came in with such high expectations and it went to hell five days into practice. After that, it was whatever.”

I am working on a Jerome Junior story for today and of course there is the advance.  On some other things, take a look at the Courant's Jeff Jacobs' column today on Zach Frazer. I thought the exact same thing when talking to Frazer. It was a Hernandez or Lorezen double take.  Just because you are the starting quarterback doesn't mean you have to be boring. I want my Zach back!

Everyone works hard and wants to win. We know that, it's how you do that that we are intersted in. Perhaps he was just nervous...no not with the game coming up, rather the wrath of Randy Edsall.  I have a good feeling about Frazer.

I don't like the fact that pundits are picking this as an upset. A 4-8 MAC team from a year ago against a UConn team that blew out the MAC champion last year? I know it's on the road, but I have to figure out if Ohio's defensive line can take the size and strength of UConn's. That was the difference in the Buffalo game. UConn's line mauled Buffalo.

Last tip. I checked out ESPN360 yesterday and for some who can't figure it out here is an option. First off, go directly to espn360.com to access the network (assuming your ISP is a provider).

If you are bummed you have to watch it on your computer, have no fear.

If you have a somewhat fast processor on the laptop and an HDTV, I would look into hooking your laptop up to the TV through the VGA connection (nearly all plasma's and LCD TVs have this).  Check out this link to figure it out: http://www.techlore.com/article/10061/How-To-Connect-a-Computer-To-Your-TV/.

DON'T BUY the VGA cables for monitors over 32 inches. Get the cheaper VGA cable for "smaller" monitors. You won't notice any difference at all. The difference in quality won't be noticeable off a streaming internet feed. Instead, the extra $20 you save you can send to me.

Now for audio, you are going to have to hook up your laptop or computer to your sound system. Either use an input on the TV or connect it straight to your home theatre system. A regular stero red and white cable will work fine. Just go to Radio Shack if you don't have one. They should be about $10.

Now if you have a digital outs on your computer, well then you know what your doing anyway.

Good luck. I did this for the NCAA tournament MMOD and it was terrific. As long as your computer can handle the streaming video (needs a high-powered processor and memory).

Tuesday presser

This was as ho-hum as it gets. After nine months and countless stories about the offense game week is here. The Huskies will travel to Athens, Ohio Saturday at 7 p.m. against Ohio University.


It was as routine a press conference today as there can be.  It's been that kind of camp too., No drama, little conflict, more just intrigue. We have to wait and see the offense before we can make any conclusions. It's 5 days away.

Randy Edsall, as he has for much of the summer and spring, was much more relaxed and comfortable. Incredibly, there have been few injuries this year and OT Jimmy Bennett's surgery last week went well and he is doing better than doctors expected. Too early to speculate whether he can return by spring.


Spoke with Jerome Junior and Brad Kanuch among others today.


Junior is a great story coming out of Baltimore, Md. He is another one of those lightly recruited players and had invitations to UConn and Northwestern for football camp.  Junior's father told him he only had money to get to one place, and he decided it was going to be UConn. He woke up at 3 a.m. and took a train from Baltimore to Connecticut by himself. Who does that?


He arrived in Storrs and the coaching staff told him to sleep. Junior was so excited he wanted to jump right into camp. He never played safety in high school and had no idea what a cover 2 was when he camped in Storrs. Junior loved it in Storrs the moment he got here. A couple of weeks later when he received a scholarship offer he immediately said "yes." Then, he went and told his father.


The thing about Junior when you look at him is his build -- he looks like a linebacker. He is 6-foot-1 215 pounds with room to grow right now. Broad shoulders, and he plays the deep ball better than Dahna Deleston according to Edsall. His footwork has improved dramatically and he hits like a Mac truck. Junior is still raw, but if he can play safety at that size and strength this early in his career they have a find there.


As far as Kanuch, he has a chip on his shoulder this year. When asked about last year's season the word that came to his mind was "miserable."

"Miserable,” Kanuch said when asked to reflect on last season. “I was hurt all the time and the hamstring nagged at me all year. That was miserable and then getting nothing thrown my way. It wasn’t that great a year. It wasn’t what I was hoping it would be. I came in with such high expectations and it went to hell five days into practice. After that, it was whatever.”

Will up date with some quotes and audio of Kanuch. Kanuch is tired of hearing how unproductive the wide receivers are. He mentioned how when you get the ball thrown to you once a half "in the second half you are shocked” when the ball comes your way.


More importantly, Kanuch believes the talent here is far superior at wide out than before. If we can remember, Kanuch started two games into his true freshman year at wide receiver. He said that if he were a freshman coming in there would be virtually no shot that he would play.


That's an important point for me because that shows there has at least been some progress. The results aren't there on the field as of yet, but the receivers are better.

“It’s a lot of unheard talent,” Kanuch said. “No one knows what we are capable of doing because of what the offense was of doing the last couple of years.”

My own opinion? I think the unit is going to surprise this year. I don't know if there is a big play guy in the bunch that is going to be the dominant receiver, but I think they will be productive.


Other notes:


*Edsall on Zach Frazer playing this week:

"He is completely ready to run the show and the offense and be a leader. He got a lot better as preseason wore on. After second scrimmage he played very well. In game week, he is very focused and very intent on going out there and doing what we want him to do. He has to go out and execute the game plan we have. If Zach does that, we will be fine. Zach needs to take what the defense gives him."

What does Zach offer? For those who haven't seen much of him.

"Zach throws the football well," Edsall said. "He is a good passer and has a strong arm. He is a tough competitor and understands things. He has a presence that the offensive guys like."


"...How he is in the huddle on the field -- confident and reassuring. He has a strong arm and can make the throws he needs to make."

A QB whose strength is throwing? I'll take it. The key for Frazer this week is avoiding turnovers. He threw six interceptions and against Pittsburgh in a relief outing last year threw three interceptions in 4 passes. It's more decision making with Frazer than ability.

• We also talked with Frank Solich, Ohio University coach, about the game and facing a new offense. Solich has faced Akron every year and knows Joe Moorhead's offense well. Stop the run first. As far how Ohio will prepare? They are watching both UConn's film last year (for the running game) and Akron's film last year to get ready for Moorhead's scheme.
• 
  Edsall addressed a couple of national topics. He was asked about the Michigan possible violations of working more than 20 hours a week on football and he doesn't feel it's possible to ask more than that for players. The coaching staff has the week scheduled down to the minute and they use about 19:30 hours. He doesn't feel with the academic rigors its even possible to ask more of the players.

There is some more, but it's time to pay the bills.