Quick Sunday call

Call was early because Randy Edsall is out recruiting this week with a bye.

Not much on the call, I wasn't able to ask a question (noisy here), but the defense wasn't very good.

Cincinnati had 11 plays that combined went over 370 yards. That's astounding.

"Defensively, it wasn't a good effort all the way around," Edsall said. "We played good in spurts, but we have to play good for 60 minutes. If we do that we can be a lot more productive."

It isn't one thing on defense, though Edsall is adamant it's fundamentals and technique.

He doesn't really have anywhere to go. Greg Lloyd played a bit at DT from the middle. They liked that in spots.

Yesterday Edsall mentioned that the defense was too passive. They need it to be aggressive.

I don't know where the defense that was in Baylor went. Jasper Howard would have helped of course, but this team is nowhere near the aggressiveness of early in the season.

Terse words about Lindsey Witten, essentially Edsall said he has to step up.

He's out recruiting, and Edsall didn't sound happy.

Injuries: Andre Dixon hurt his leg in the game. Robert Vaughn (big toe) and Blidi Wreh Wilson, Trevardo Williams and Mo Petrus all have bum ankles.

They should be fine.

Gotta pay the bills, talk to ya'll soon.

Update 2:12 p.m.: There is going to be an official memorial honoring Jasper Howard on Thursday night at Jorgenson Auditorium in Storrs.

Sunday wrap

Game Saturday is on ABC at 8 p.m. It's been almost 8 years since an intersquad Big East game was on prime time ABC.

There are 3 games slated to be on ABC, but early indications are that UConn-Cincinnati will have a large map. There will be no reverse mirror of this game on ESPN or ESPN2.

On to the Sunday teleconference:

Endres has surgery for a separated shoulder and is out for the year. Robbie Frey hasn't had surgery, but we are unlikely to see him for the rest of the year either.

Edsall on Zach Frazer's performance:

"Inconsistent at the start, and made some reads that he shouldn't have made. He did a good job of taking the team down and finished the game strong. He is going to have to be the guy and do the things that he is capable of doing. He started off slow and finished the game up strong,

"He just has to stay within himself and takes what defense gives him, when he does that he is pretty good. He gets in trouble when he gets outside of himself."

The defense gave up 141 yards on 56 plays. 5 plays by Rutgers went for 181 yards. The Huskies defended the same play perfectly 14 plays earlier and forced Savage to run. It's a consistency thing.

Edsall is going to make changes in the two-deep, and I think we will see Jerome Junior at strong safety full-time. Edsall said Junior had his best game Saturday. He was off the field in favor of Aaron Bagsby, who took a poor angle on the play and allowed a 25 yard gain to go for 81 yards. 

As far as other news: 

*It isn't definite and the staff still has to decide. But, don't expect Mike Box to play under any circumstances. It's late in the season, and they can't blow a redshirt to sub for Frazer if he goes down. That will be decided Tuesday, but don't expect to see Box until at least next year. This is going to be Frazer's snaps until he gets hurt or the game is out of hand.

ABC primetime Saturday

Huskies vs. No. 4 Cincinnati will be on ABC at 8 p.m. There will be 3 games flexed Oklahoma-Nebraska and the USC game.

It's not definite, but it looks like this game will get a good national reach. Maps come out early this week.

Just a tad busy

Missed the conference call. Here's a recap from Sunday's conference call from Chip Malafronte from the NH Register.

www.runwayramblings.blogspot.com.

Will be in touch late in the week.

Here is an AP story about the Sunday call.

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. 

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.

Sunday wrap

Short sweet, want to finish work so I can watch Giants.

* Zach Frazer is back at practice. Edsall "not ready to make a determination" on who starts vs. West Virginia if Frazer is 100 percent.

* DT Rob Lunn shoulder injury, day-to-day, DT Brandon Dillon out today with an injury. Nate Sheer (who?) day-to-day. Everyone else came through nicely.

* Edsall liked what Cody Endres did, but they need better accuracy.

*Andre Dixon got zero carries. Nothing wrong with Andre discpline wise. He is behind other players.

That's the cliff notes version. Depending on how the Giants game goes, I may or may not be back.

Sunday teleconference

The film confirmed the result for Randy Edsall this morning. UConn was very very good on Saturday.

Donald Brown played 43 plays and had 25 touches, which is a good ratio according to Edsall and also kept Brown fresh. Might not be able to do that every week, but Brown wasn't tired at the end of the game.

Kashif Moore saw the most time at wide receiver with 41 snaps,while Kanuch was second with 27 snaps. D.J. Hernandez, Ellis Gaulden, Mike Easley and Mike Smith all had under 20. Darius Butler was in on 11 plays.

The WR is more situational this year. The Huskies are subbing early and often depending on the package.

No injuries. Andre Dixon didn't play however and its going to be a weekly thing. Lindsey Witten also didn't play. No other injuries

Jimmy Bennett, Matt Edwards and Emmanuel Omokaro DID NOT play. Those are errors in the participation report.

Kickoff coverage is an issues, but Edsall said it was fundamentals. He didn't seem concerned about it. It is correctable.