Previewing UConn vs Cincinnati

[IE]

What To Look For

No matter who the Huskies trot out at quarterback, look for a physical game against a good defense that's getting better. The Bearcats are awfully good up front with the likes of Connor Barwin and Terrill Byrd, but the secondary is getting really good, too. Don't be fooled by the fact they're ranked 88th nationally against the pass

"We've moved some pieces around back there. [Brandon] Underwood was playing cornerback against Oklahoma. He's now at safety," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. "We lost a starter back there in Drew Frey. Now Aaron Webster is playing back there. [All-Big East corner] Mike Mickens stopped reading his press clippings, so he's playing a whole lot better. We're just coming together."

It seems unlikely UConn QB Zach Frazer (head injury) will start, though coach Randy Edsall is calling his playing status a game-time decision. Cody Endres has a strong arm, but he's untested.

How the Huskies perform on special teams will be important. Generally, they do a good job at home, but they have had problems in two straight road games. How will redshirt freshman kicker David Teggart do in his first game replacing Tony Ciaravino?

Key Matchups

Kick returner Marshawn Gilyard vs UConn's coverage team: Gilyard is among the nation's top 10, averaging more than 30 yards a return, more than what the Huskies allow (24.21), which is among the nation's worst averages.

UConn running game vs. Cincinnati defensive front: Donald Brown still leads the nation in rushing at 167.7 yards a game. The Bearcats are 13th against the rush. When UConn went to Louisville, the Cardinals were No.2 against the rush and Brown ran wild. Rutgers was hardly that good, but the Scarlet Knights looked tough against Brown and the Huskies' offensive line, especially in the second half. How far will the Huskies' running game have come in a week?

Injuries: Cincinnati ? none reported. UConn ? G Alex LaMagdelaine (shoulder), QB Tyler Lorenzen (foot), TE Steve Brouse (fibula) out; QB Frazer questionable; DT Brandon Dillon (leg), running back Nathan Sherr (leg) day-to-day.

 

[IE]

Edsall Not Worried About Special Teams







Three blocked punts against North Carolina, three misjudged punts and an ill-advised return on a kickoff against Rutgers.

And for today's game against Cincinnati, UConn has benched its starting kicker, fifth-year senior Tony Ciaravino, in favor of redshirt freshman David Teggart. Ciaravino missed three field goals, including the potential game-winner, against the Scarlet Knights.

But Huskies coach Randy Edsall said there was no more emphasis placed on special teams this week than any other because they were separate issues, not an overall problem.

Problem is, each of those issues played a role in road losses to North Carolina and Rutgers.And the Bearcats figure to test all of the Huskies' special teams units today.

"They do a good job of special teams, but again, we feel like we put a game plan together, if we execute and we don't make errors in judgment, we should be very solid in that phase of the game," Edsall said.

Cincinnati (5-2, 1-0 Big East) has punter Kevin Huber, ranked sixth nationally at 45.9 yards a punt. He has dropped 11 punts inside the 20. The Bearcats are first nationally in net punting (42.39). Marshawn Gilyard is ranked seventh in kickoff return average (30.79), and Cincinnati is sixth as a team (25.86).

The Huskies are ranked 103rd of 119 teams in the Bowl Subdivision in kickoff return yardage defense (24.21).

UConn (5-2, 1-1) is already going to have its hands full on defense with players such as quarterback Tony Pike, running back Jacob Ramsey and receivers Gilyard and Dominick Goodman. On defense, Cincinnati has cornerbacks Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith, end Connor Barwin and tackle Terrill Byrd, all hard-hitting players possibly bound for the NFL.

So the Huskies need to avoid special teams woes today.

"We had a good week. We caught the ball," Edsall said with a smile. "We made good decisions in practice just like we've done other weeks in practice. Now we've got to carry it over to the game. It's gone well. That's a tough thing about coaching young people is that practice is practice, but then you want them to be able to carry over those good things to the games."

While Edsall did make a change at kicker after the Rutgers game, he announced no changes in punt returners. Sophomore Jasper Howard did not field two punts inside the Huskies 5 and fielded one he probably shouldn't have. And redshirt freshman Robbie Frey ran backward to get some room but was tackled at the UConn 1.

"Jaz will catch punts before practice every day, and we do punt returns twice a week and every day that we practice, pre-practice, he's catching balls," Edsall said. "You talk to them and you show them on film and you hope that they don't make the same errors in judgment; the same thing with Robbie Frey."

Those were mental mistakes the players can correct. Against North Carolina, Edsall said, the mistake was physical.

"We just didn't have somebody execute the technique, and we moved that person out of there and made a change in personnel from that week," Edsall said. "When you look at things, you have to analyze what's occurring with those situations and address it. So, we didn't spend any more time this week [on special teams than usual]."

 

[IE]

Scouting report: UCinn


When UConn runs

The Husky offense revolves around junior running back Donald Brown, who leads the nation in rushing with 167.7 yards per game. Brown has rushed for at least 100 yards in all seven of UConn's games this year and has reached the 200-yard mark twice - vs. Temple and Virginia. UC, which ranks 13th in the nation in rushing defense (94.5 yards per game), has not permitted an opposing back to reach the 100-yard mark this season.



When UConn passes

UConn coach Randy Edsall has been coy this week about who will start at quarterback. Zach Frazer, who replaced Tyler Lorenzen after Lorenzen broke a foot against Louisville, suffered a head injury near the end of the Huskies' loss to Rutgers last week and Edsall said his availability will be a game-time decision. If he can't go, UConn probably will turn to redshirt freshman Cody Endres. Kashif Moore leads the Huskies in receiving with 15 catches for 168 yards. Cornerback Darius Butler has also played some wide receiver and has eight catches for 107 yards and one touchdown. UC cornerback Mike Mickens needs one interception to become the school's career leader.



When UC runs

UC focused on the run more during the last two games with rookie Chazz Anderson at quarterback and junior Jacob Ramsey answered the call, averaging 92 yards. With Tony Pike back to face UConn, Ramsey might not get as many opportunities to run the ball. The UConn defense allows 121.6 rushing yards per game. Sophomore linebacker Scott Lutrus leads the Huskies with 51 tackles.




When UC passes

With Pike's return, the Bearcats figure to run a more wide-open offense, assuming there are no complications with his broken left forearm when it gets hit. He has plenty of quality receivers, led by senior Dominick Goodman, the league's second-leading receiver who has caught 38 passes for 461 yards and five touchdowns. Goodman needs one touchdown reception to tie Jim O'Brien for the school record (21). Freshman D.J. Woods made his first significant impact against Rutgers two weeks ago, snaring four passes for 67 yards. Mardy Gilyard, who ranks fourth in the league in receiving, has 32 catches for 500 yards and five touchdowns. UConn defensive end Cody Brown ranks second in the league in sacks behind UC's Connor Barwin. Linebacker Lawrence Wilson has picked off three passes this season.




Special teams

Behind All-America punter Kevin Huber, UC leads the nation in net punting. The Bearcats also rank sixth nationally in kickoff returns. Placekicker Jake Rogers, who kicked a 50-yard field goal against Rutgers, has made all five of his field goal attempts this season. UConn's Tony Ciaravino broke the school record last year with 22 field goals. He's 9-for-15 this season. Jasper Howard ranks second in the league in punt returns with an average of 11.4 yards. UC's DeAngelo Smith is first with an average of 13.0.





Game keys

UConn is tough at home, where it has won its past 10 games dating to a loss to UC on Nov. 25, 2006. The Huskies have won those 10 games by an average margin of 20.1 points. Both teams are playing without the quarterback who started the season for them. Backup Tony Pike returns for UC after missing the last two games with a broken left forearm. UConn probably will counter with Zach Frazer, although there was some question this week about whether he would play because of a head injury he suffered in the loss to Rutgers. Regardless of who plays quarterback for the Huskies, the key to this game for UC is stopping running back Donald Brown, the nation's leading rusher. If the Bearcats can contain Brown and force UConn to pass, they should be in good shape to nail down their second Big East win in as many tries this season.

 

[SixFive]

too much to read; just let us know who you are playing. thanks.

 

[IE]

was goin to play UCinn SixFive, but decided to pass on the game....am playing

Purdue +1 ? -110
and
Florida State -6 ? -110

though, good luck today SixFive with your plays.