Bowl blog

Kickoff: Crowd is pretty rowdy. Over 40,000 people here. It's about 4-1 USC fans over UConn fans. The weather is cold but not unbearable. Legion Field is an old stadium, but it has a nice charm.

Huskies win toss, will defer to second half. Kickoff imminent.

Update 1:09 p.m: Huskies blitzed twice on the first 3 plays! 1 yard, 3 and out for USC.  Good start for Huskies.

Update 1:11 p.m.: Huskies go 3 and out. Didn't like the plays, gained 1 yard gain. Huskies should try and see if they can run the ball. Didn't hand off to Dixon at all.

Update 1:27 p.m.: Kashif Moore with a spectacular 37 yard TD catch. Frazer laid it out in front and Moore had a 1-handed grab in full stride. Good throw, but Moore's catch was spectacular. He put his right hand out and just let the ball fall in and in full stride ran for a TD. Shocking play, Huskies up 7-0.

Update 1:32 p.m.:  Huskies defense has been terrific, especially D-line. There is a 4th and 1 from the USC 34 and it looks like Spurrier will go for it. That's a gamble this year...

Don't think they made it on the sneak. Huskies hold on 4th down.

Update 1:37 p.m.: Frazer missed a wide open Ryan Griffin on a TD pass.He overthrew him, and he just isn't comfortable on the run. Teggart with a 33 yard FG. 10-0 UConn. That field goal is a gift from Steve Spurrier. 4th down sneak deepin your own territory was Belichickess.

First wrap

UConn has dominated the first quarter. USC doesn't have a first down and the offense had one big lay in them. USC's defense is very good, but the Huskies already have a 10-0 lead. They need to establish the run and stay way from turnovers. Huskies' offense numbers aren't going to be pretty, but this is a game made for UConn...defensive slugfest. Can the Huskies sustain?

Update 2:05 p.m.:  Frazer is a bit inaccurate today. Not by much, but he is rushing his throws and has left a couple of plays out there. Still, the Great Dave Teggart is back and has a 44 yard FG easily into the win at Legion Field. UConn is leading 13-0, and South Carolina has yet to get a first down with 8:56 left in the second quarter.

Update 2:!2 p.m.: THird and 17, USC gets a first down with a 19 yard pass play. Soft defense, as we have seen all year. UConn should be aggressive. USC has life.

Update 2:!7 p.m.: Bad snap by USC on 52 FG. Dixon then goves over 1,000 yards on season on next carry. Huskies inside USC territory.

Halftime wrap

The UConn defense that everyone thought the Huskies were going to have has showed up. The defensive line has been dominant and the Huskies are bringing linebackers on blitzes to put pressure on Garcia. It's a terrific performance with USC getting only 4 first downs the entire half. UConn leads 13-0 and gets the ball to begin the second half.

Offensively has made a couple of plays, and put up points, but USC has an excellent defense and has kept them somewhat in the game. Andre Dixon is over 1,000 yards on the season. Little use of Jordan Todman, perhaps UConn wants more of a physical runner.

Huskies are up 13-0. Who would have expected that?

Third quarter

Update 2:51: Huskies need to establish run in second half. Running into kicker results in first down. Lucky play there, Huskies are going to need to soften that D up with the pass. USC defense is stout today.

Update 2:57 p.m.: A roughing passer penalty keeps drive alive. USC it own worst enemy here.

Update 3: p.m.: USC get a break.Frazer fumbles handoff from Dixon. That play could loom large for UConn.

Update 3:04 p.m.: Looks like Frazer was tripped by guard Olivier on fumble. Tough break for Huskies.

Update 2:05 p.m.:  Jesse Joseph with a forced fumble on a great play. USC's Stephen Garcia scrambles and Jesse Joseph works down field and comes from behind with a big hit.

Third quarter wrap 

Huskies leading 13-0 at the end of the third quarter. UConn's defense has come up big this game. USC has about 100 yards of total offense through three quarters. UConn is different right now. IUSC is hardly a great offense, but the Huskies are much more aggressive today. They are playing to their talent level and look confident. So much for my pregame thoughts. Perhaps too much time in SEC country makes you believe the hype. Should have known better, USC isn't Florida, Alabama or LSU.  


Fourth quarter


Update 3:38 p.m.: Andre Dixon 10 yard TD run on third down on a draw on third and 5. Good play call, and it's 20-0 #UConn. Huskies are hammering USC. 


Update 3:45 p.m.: USC fans exiting Legion Field. It's steady movement, but that red isn't as tight as it used to be. It's going to be a long drive home to South Carolina.

Update 3:58 p.m.: Huskies Robert Vaughn INT. THis one is over. Huskies dominant,