A new name among UConn running backs

The new, revamped passing game and the position battle between Zach Frazer and Cody Endres was the top story coming into UConn's spring practices.

Not unexpectedly, throughout the first week of practice reporters swarmed to Frazer and Endres, intently watched their performances on the field and tried to get tight-lipped head coach Randy Edsall to point toward one or the other as a potential starter.

Meanwhile, Kelmetrus "Meme" Wylie, despite rushing in only one game last season, is quietly making a name for himself as one of the Huskies' premier backs, fighting for a starting position right alongside Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. While early practices were dominated by the new spread offense and the players' adjustment to a new playbook, Edsall assured that UConn would still run a balanced offense.

"It's going to be a balanced attack," Edsall said. "We aren't going to favor the pass or the run, we're looking to create a 50-50-type scheme and there's different ways that we can get to the running game by personnel and the passing game by personnel."

At 213 pounds, the 5-foot-10 Wylie is UConn's biggest back, but doesn't allow his size to get in the way of his blazing speed. During Saturday's practice, Wylie split time on the first team with the Huskies' stable of backs, but shined when it came to 11-on-11 full-contact scrimmages at the end of practice.

Practicing their red-zone offense from the 10-yard line, Frazer took the snap and tossed it to the right to Wylie. Showing an explosive burst of speed, Wylie jab-stepped around the defensive line and into daylight one shed tackle later and scampered into the end zone for a touchdown. While Dixon showed himself to be proficient between the tackles, Wylie shined around the ends, getting a full burst of speed and daring defenders to try and stop him.

"He looks to be a lot stronger and he's not hesitating," Edsall said. "He's a guy that has strength and power and speed, so he's a guy that can help us in a lot of different areas; he just has to continue doing what he's been doing."

Wylie echoed Edsall's sentiments, seeing himself as a back who could be relied upon in many different situations.

"I'm an all-around back because I got the speed the power and the vision," Wylie said. "Coach told us we all have different strengths, so it's good to have four running backs that can go out there and compete against different defenses."

Wylie added that Edsall tells the backs to always be ready to play because you never know when you might need to step up, giving the example of Endres, UConn's third-string quarterback last year, starting against Cincinnati after Tyler Lorenzen broke his leg and Frazer suffered a concussion.

Players adapting to Morehead's "more pass" offense

With one week in the books, players and coaches alike are becoming more and more enamored with not only new offensive coordinator Joe Morehead's playbook, but his the personality and excitement that he brings to the field. In addition to a much faster-paced practice than what was seen last spring, Morehead makes sure to praise players when they make an exceptional play.

On a simple out route, Isiah Moore followed up an outstanding catch with a spin move to shed his tackler before racing down the sidelines to the end zone untouched. The play was met with jubilation from the Huskies' new coach and an encouraging shout of "Atta boy Isiah!" from Morehead.

"I like the enthusiasm that he's got," Wylie said. "He's a guy that's based on scoring, and I like to score, so if you like to score and I like to score we can be on the same page."

"I think that everybody is on the same page and everyone understands exactly what needs to be done," Edsall said. "He brings a new approach to the team, but they're adapting pretty quickly."

Apostolakos out with sprained knee

Yianni Apostolakos, UConn's top tight end heading into spring practice, will be sidelined three to four weeks after spraining his knee. Apostolakos, who missed two months last season with a hip injury, is expected to step in to fill the shoes of the graduating Steve Brouse and Martin Bedard. Brouse and Bedard combined for 207 yards and one touchdown in 2008, as well as numerous series run blocking for Donald Brown.

Apostolakos played in one game last season but has yet to make a single catch his career with the Huskies. Injuries this spring are increasingly difficult as the team attempts to learn a new offense, implementing new plays each and every day.

Behind Apostolakos on the depth chart are junior Derek Chard and a trio of redshirt freshmen - John Delanhunt, Ryan Griffin and Corey Manning - who, like Apostolakos, have yet to make their first collegiate catch.

Quick hits

Lindsey Witten was still absent from practice on Saturday; he should make a definite return this week … Steve Brouse was in attendence on Saturday, watching the practice … In a first glance at the kicking game, Dave Teggart nailed a 50-plus yard field goal after Edsall put the team in the situation of being "down by two with three seconds to go" … Good number of recruits were in attendance, getting a sneak peak at the Huskies' new offense … Huskies repeatedly practiced a shovel-pass play up the middle to the running backs; Wylie broke for over 20 yards on one attempt.