Ready To Show He Can Run Balanced Offense
CINCINNATI -- A change of quarterbacks doesn't mean a change of plans.
The formula UConn will use against Cincinnati today at Nippert Stadium remains the same - and different.
The Huskies have been in an altered state all season. Where once UConn was a team all too happy to pass, it has become almost the antithesis.
"We understand we have to play a little bit different brand of football than in the past," coach Randy Edsall said.
The Huskies (4-1, 1-0 Big East) have gone back to basics. High-flying offense has been usurped by stingy defense and spiffy special teams as the team's trademark.
The shift in style was adopted as soon as Matt Bonislawski took over the starting quarterback job when Dan Orlovsky moved on to the NFL, and it will not appreciably change with D.J. Hernandez behind center.
With Bonislawski out six to eight weeks with a broken collarbone, Hernandez will make his first start today against Cincinnati (2-3, 0-1).
The Huskies are expected to rely on Hernandez's legs, as well as those of running backs Terry Caulley, Cornell Brockington and Lou Allen. The Huskies are averaging 251.8 yards rushing, ninth in the country.
"I think we're pretty balanced," Hernandez said. "We have quite a bit of rushing yards, but we're capable of doing both successfully.
"I'm just looking forward to going out there and execute the plays that are called. Whether it's a pass or a run, I'm just going to execute it the best I can to make this team successful."
Some of the Huskies' success can be attributed to limiting mistakes on offense. They have five turnovers and four came against Georgia Tech. Those four turnovers led to 14 points. The Huskies have scored 51 points off 13 turnovers by opponents.
The punt and kickoff returns of Larry Taylor have provided good field position.
The defense is ranked No.1 in the nation (227.8 yards a game) and has given up an average of 9.6 points.
"With our offensive line being so young, we kind of have to pick up the slack," linebacker James Hargrave said. "The biggest thing for us is to keep playing hard on defense and special teams and try to make the job easier on the offense."
UConn has averaged 23 pass attempts. Orlovsky averaged 39.5 in 2004 and 38 in 2003.
Bonislawski averaged 41 yards rushing in five starts and Hernandez ran for 86 yards on 15 carries against Syracuse. He had a 1-yard touchdown run.
"Dan Orlovsky was an outstanding thrower, an outstanding passer and didn't have to utilize his feet," Edsall said. "He was a different style. Now we've got quarterbacks who both can run and throw the football. You try to make your team the best it can be utilizing their abilities, but also incorporating all the other guys' abilities in order to be successful.
"The bottom line is you've got to find a way to go out each and every week and win ballgames," Edsall said. "You can do it a lot of different ways. But the bottom line is going out and winning and giving your kids the best opportunity to win and be successful. However that has to go, that's what coaching is about. It's trying to take your people and give your team the best opportunity to win, regardless of what you might have done one year or the year before."
Hernandez completed 4 of 8 passes for 31 yards, including a 19-yard dump-off to tight end Steve Brouse that set up a field goal against Syracuse. For the season, Hernandez has completed 8 of 13 passes for 49 yards. He had a 3-yard touchdown pass to Nollis Dewar Sept. 1 against Buffalo.
Hernandez, who passed for more than 3,000 yards at Bristol Central, is facing a Bearcats defense that has five freshmen starting.
He directed two touchdown drives in the second half against Syracuse. One was 20 yards (following a 37-yard punt return). The other was 31 yards (following an interception).
"With the defense and special teams playing really well, it makes it that much easier for the offense to put points on the board," Hernandez said. "As long as the defense keeps playing well and special teams, I think we're going to win football games."
ffense
CINCINNATI -- A change of quarterbacks doesn't mean a change of plans.
The formula UConn will use against Cincinnati today at Nippert Stadium remains the same - and different.
The Huskies have been in an altered state all season. Where once UConn was a team all too happy to pass, it has become almost the antithesis.
"We understand we have to play a little bit different brand of football than in the past," coach Randy Edsall said.
The Huskies (4-1, 1-0 Big East) have gone back to basics. High-flying offense has been usurped by stingy defense and spiffy special teams as the team's trademark.
The shift in style was adopted as soon as Matt Bonislawski took over the starting quarterback job when Dan Orlovsky moved on to the NFL, and it will not appreciably change with D.J. Hernandez behind center.
With Bonislawski out six to eight weeks with a broken collarbone, Hernandez will make his first start today against Cincinnati (2-3, 0-1).
The Huskies are expected to rely on Hernandez's legs, as well as those of running backs Terry Caulley, Cornell Brockington and Lou Allen. The Huskies are averaging 251.8 yards rushing, ninth in the country.
"I think we're pretty balanced," Hernandez said. "We have quite a bit of rushing yards, but we're capable of doing both successfully.
"I'm just looking forward to going out there and execute the plays that are called. Whether it's a pass or a run, I'm just going to execute it the best I can to make this team successful."
Some of the Huskies' success can be attributed to limiting mistakes on offense. They have five turnovers and four came against Georgia Tech. Those four turnovers led to 14 points. The Huskies have scored 51 points off 13 turnovers by opponents.
The punt and kickoff returns of Larry Taylor have provided good field position.
The defense is ranked No.1 in the nation (227.8 yards a game) and has given up an average of 9.6 points.
"With our offensive line being so young, we kind of have to pick up the slack," linebacker James Hargrave said. "The biggest thing for us is to keep playing hard on defense and special teams and try to make the job easier on the offense."
UConn has averaged 23 pass attempts. Orlovsky averaged 39.5 in 2004 and 38 in 2003.
Bonislawski averaged 41 yards rushing in five starts and Hernandez ran for 86 yards on 15 carries against Syracuse. He had a 1-yard touchdown run.
"Dan Orlovsky was an outstanding thrower, an outstanding passer and didn't have to utilize his feet," Edsall said. "He was a different style. Now we've got quarterbacks who both can run and throw the football. You try to make your team the best it can be utilizing their abilities, but also incorporating all the other guys' abilities in order to be successful.
"The bottom line is you've got to find a way to go out each and every week and win ballgames," Edsall said. "You can do it a lot of different ways. But the bottom line is going out and winning and giving your kids the best opportunity to win and be successful. However that has to go, that's what coaching is about. It's trying to take your people and give your team the best opportunity to win, regardless of what you might have done one year or the year before."
Hernandez completed 4 of 8 passes for 31 yards, including a 19-yard dump-off to tight end Steve Brouse that set up a field goal against Syracuse. For the season, Hernandez has completed 8 of 13 passes for 49 yards. He had a 3-yard touchdown pass to Nollis Dewar Sept. 1 against Buffalo.
Hernandez, who passed for more than 3,000 yards at Bristol Central, is facing a Bearcats defense that has five freshmen starting.
He directed two touchdown drives in the second half against Syracuse. One was 20 yards (following a 37-yard punt return). The other was 31 yards (following an interception).
"With the defense and special teams playing really well, it makes it that much easier for the offense to put points on the board," Hernandez said. "As long as the defense keeps playing well and special teams, I think we're going to win football games."
ffense
