The UConn football team has lost three games this season by a combined nine points. The Huskies are nine points away from being undefeated and sitting atop the Big East. After a third heartbreaking loss, this time to West Virginia last weekend, the Huskies will return to the friendly confines of Rentschler Field for the first time Jasper Howard's death when they host Rutgers Saturday at noon.
Howard will be honored before the game, but head coach Randy Edsall has assured that, like last week. But come game time it will be all football and each game back is one step in the healing process.
"We all have to move on with our every day lives and understand what we need to get done," Edsall said. "I'm not going to interfere with anybody's individual handling this situation but everybody knows that it's time to move forward it's time to go on and individually they will handle the situation as they see fit."
Rutgers (5-2, 0-2 Big East) comes in with a good record, yet their schedule has been more than favorable. Games against Florida International, Howard and Army have provided easy wins while the Scarlet Knights have dropped their two conference games, including getting blown out 45-17 by Cincinnati.
Despite the easy schedule, Edsall knows the Rutgers offense will be a dangerous threat to a UConn (4-3, 1-2) defense that is without Scott Lutrus and Kijuan Dabney.
The Rutgers offesnse is lead by senior receiever Tim Brown who comes in leading the team with 632 yards receieving and three touchdowns. Even more impressive is Browns big play capability - which has him averaging over 20 yards per catch.
"The first guy that really comes to mind is Tim Brown and his ability to make plays and the speed that he has," Edsall said. "He's a big play guy for them."
It is not just Brown that anchors the Rutgers offense but sophomore Joe Martinek anchors the running game with 593 yards on the ground and a team-leading seven touchdowns. It's this balance that Edsall thinks makes them good.
"It's an offense that has good balance in terms of running the ball and throwing the ball," Edsall said.
The Husky offense has seen a resurgance as well. Although the passing game began the season as anemic as it was last year the last three games have seen the emergence of Marcus Easley and Cody Endres has been steadily improving.
"I'm pleased with what's happened to us offensively," Edsall said. "I think that we have a lot more balance now in the offense and that we're throwing the ball more consistently and getting some big plays in the passing game."
Last season it was special teams that doomed UConn when they lost a 12-10 decision at Rutgers. Tony Ciravnio missed three field goals, including one that could have won the game. After Dave Teggart missed a pair last week against West Virginia and the Mountaineers returned the opening kick off for a touchdown, the comparison cannot be ignored.
"All we can do as coaches is to show David 'here's what you did wrong and you have to go out and correct those things," Edsall said. "In any game you can't squander scoring opportunities."
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