Even when they run the wrong play it turns out right.
UConn quarterback Zach Frazer made a wrong read of the signals early in the fourth quarter and called for a handoff to Andre Dixon. It was the wrong play, it was supposed to be a pass, but it made no difference. Dixon scampered 45 yards for a touchdown on third and 7 and the rest is history.
"We called a different play from the sideline and Zach missed it and called a different play so we called one play in from the sideline and he called a totally different play than what we had sent in because he thought he saw a different signal, so, when it happened I said. 'We really don't know what we're doing, and maybe we should let Zach call the plays'."
This Huskies offense is different than the ones of the pass. They rushed for 204 yards against the No. 9 ranked run defense in the nation. One running back, Jordan Todman, went over 1000 yards and has 14 rushing touchdowns. Another, Andre Dixon is nearing 1,000 yards and had three in the 56-31 win over Syracuse.
Add to that Marcus Easley's 6 catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns and the Huskies offense is carrying a defense that gave up nearly 500 yards again.
The special teams scored another touchdown, Mike Lang for 80 yards, and now it's those units carrying a defense that is young, and seems to be exhausted.
"It's like a change of roles," Dixon said.
The Huskies aren't a complete team yet, their defense is too soft, but they have turned into a really good offense. Randy Edsall has strived for balance, and it looks like they have it now. It took awhile under Joe Moorhead, but the offense looks like it is going to be difficult to stop. Todman has proven to be durable, Dixon is back, and the emergence of Easley at WR has made this team a handful to defend. Of course, it starts with the offensive line.
Edsall was escatic after the game about qualifying for a bowl. He was energetic, but not emotional. This was a forward-looking win, and it is an important step for the program. Bowl games, bowl games, bowl games.
"Especially with the way this season’s been, it’s been real and real hard,” Edsall said. “Not just on the field, but because of all the other things that have transpired with this team.”
As far as the game, Doug Marrone didn't seem to be too pleased by the two touchdowns the final 53 seconds. It was a congenial post game handshake for a pair of people who know eachother. For what its worth, Edsall felt that the game was still in jeopardy and that they wanted to get a first down. Instead, Zach Frazer found Marcus Easley for 28 yards and a touchdown. To add insult to injury, Dwayne Gratz picked up a fumble and ran in for a 56-31 final. It was a much tougher game than that.
Talked with some people about bowls, and there is a lot of info I took away. I would say a 6-6 UConn team even with an at large spot is a good shot. But, from what i gather, the winner of West Virginia and Rutgers game still has a strong chance at the Gator bowl. Each would be nine win teams and the Big East is confident it has a strong No. 2.
More on that later. Got to pay the bills.
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