A lineup shake-up

UConn's season may be nearly half over, but head coach Randy Edsall has had no qualms about shuffling the depth chart. Injuries notwithstanding, Edsall has made several changes in preparation for the Huskies' Homecoming contest against Louisville.

Though Zach Frazer has successfully recovered from his leg injury suffered Sept. 12 against North Carolina, Endres will continue to be UConn's starting quarterback. In three-plus games this season, Endres has passed for 663 yards and three touchdowns. Combine this with his poised play last year when he led UConn to a 40-16 rout of Cincinnati at Rentschler Field, and Edsall has found his guy - at least for the time being.

"Zach was number one coming out of the spring and then in the fall," Edsall said. "But he got injured, Cody came in and I think Cody has played well. When you look at the numbers he's performed very well, he's performed better than Zach has. [Frazer's] job is to make sure he's mentally and physically ready to go. You just don't know what's going to happen, he's one play away from going back in there."

Although he's UConn's primary signal caller, Endres won't be the only change to UConn's offense. Edsall has decided to replace veteran offensive linemen Dan Ryan and Mathieu Olivier with youngsters Mike Ryan and Erik Kuraczea. With Mike Ryan at left tackle and Kuraczea at left guard, the left side of the Huskies' offensive line will lose four years of combined experience.

"We're young all over the place but that's the way it is," Edsall said. "Mike Ryan has done a good job, we've alternated Dan and Mike at that position and as we evaluated that position we thought Mike Ryan was the better football player. Same situation at left guard, we feel that Erik Kuraczea gives us the best opportunity now and in the future for what we need out of that position."

Vaughn picks up Big East weekly honor

??Senior safety Robert Vaughn was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Week after his 10-tackle, two-interception performance in UConn's 24-21 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

One of Vaughn's interceptions, a 20-yard return for a score, put UConn ahead of the Panthers 7-3 in the second quarter. Vaughn has 12 interceptions as a Husky, leading the Big East and fourth among active Bowl Subdivision players.

Led by Vaughn, UConn's pass defense is 32nd in the nation, allowing just 186 yards per game through the air.

Lutrus doubtful

once again

While Edsall couldn't offer up a more concrete explanation regarding junior linebacker Scott Lutrus' stinger, which has meant he is still listed as questionable, he did discuss the topic at length.

"I pressed [the team doctors] Sunday and said 'guys don't tell me that he's doubtful if you know that he ain't playin, don't make me go through that with [the media]'," Edsall said. "All I'm doing is relaying what they tell me. Practice-wise he isn't going to hit anybody this week; I don't think he's going to play on Saturday."

Easley on the two-deep

Following his 79-yard touchdown reception against Pittsburgh, senior Marcus Easley has earned one of six spots at the wide receiver position. Easley, who had his first career 100-yard game Saturday, was a walk-on before receiving a scholarship prior to this season.

"He's really gotten a little more consistent with his play," Edsall said. "He's a bigger guy, he has the ability, you saw some separation Saturday. That separation you saw after he caught the ball, that's the separation we're trying to get him to have off the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to go up and catch the ball and after the catch he has the ability and frame to run over somebody and get some extra yards."

Quick hits

UConn is 2-3 all-time against Louisville, including a mark of 1-2 at Rentschler Field. With a win Saturday, Edsall will bring his coaching record at UConn to .500, he is currently 61-62. Robbie Frey (neck) is expected to play Saturday and continue his role as a kick returner. Redshirt freshman Jory Johnson has moved up to first on the depth chart at the Husky linebacker spot and will start if Lutrus cannot. Andre Dixon was named the starter over Jordan Todman for Saturday but isn't expected to see a dramatically different role than he has in UConn's previous five games.