 "Photo:")
While UConn's defense allowed just 10 fourth-quarter points on Saturday, they continued to get beaten on big plays. The Bearcats had 11 plays combining for 370 of their 711 yards of offense. The 711 yards allowed was the most the Huskies have ever allowed in a Division I-A game and just 21 shy of the record 732 Delaware put up in 1998.
"Defensively, it wasn't a good effort all the way around," head coach Randy Edsall said. "We played good in spurts, but we have to play good for 60 minutes. If we do that we can be a lot more productive."
The Huskies' defense was ranked in the top 10 nationally earlier this season before they allowed 93 points combined over their last three games. Edsall wasn't afraid to single out individual players either, saying Sunday that senior defensive end Lindsey Witten had to step up and set an example for UConn's youngsters on the defensive line.
Todman tears it up
Though the passing game has been struggling lately for the Huskies, Jordan Todman is continuing to get it done on the ground for the Huskies' rushing attack. Taking the lion's share of the carries on Saturday, Todman finished with 162 yards and four touchdowns and was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll.
Todman has found the endzone 12 times this season, leads the team with 826 rushing yards and even completed a pass for a two-point conversion against the Bearcats. Known last year as a speedy back who excelled at running outside the tackles, Todman has excelled at inside runs this year as well.
"Jordan's always been a tough guy," Edsall said. "I think the biggest thing that's happening with Jordan is he's getting better with his patience. He's being more patient to the line of scrimmage and then bursting past the line of scrimmage … He's really starting to develop more as a running back. He's tough enough to be able to run anywhere, between the tackles or outside."
The injury report
Andre Dixon suffered a lower leg injury in practice before the Cincinnati game and as a result, he had just eight of the Huskies' 37 carries against the Bearcats. Other injured Huskies include Robbie Vaughn (swollen big toe), Moe Petrus (ankle), Blidi Wreh-Wilson (ankle) and Trevardo Williams (ankle). Edsall expects all five to be healthy for UConn's next game, Nov. 21 at Notre Dame.
Bye comes at a good time
The Huskies have a bye week before their next game against Notre Dame and according to Edsall, it couldn't come at a better time. The Huskies have dropped three straight games by a combined 10 points and haven't won since their Oct. 17 Homecoming slate with Louisville.
"We need a bye very badly," Edsall said. "We need these kids to get away from football. They've been through quite a bit."?
As for what the Huskies will work on during the bye? Edsall acknowledged that there were many areas where the team needs to improve if they want to end the season with a winning record and try to secure a bowl berth.
"We have to work on everything," Edsall said. "It's not as clear cut as everyone wants to make it. Football is a game of fundamentals, techniques and repetition. The game is all about blocking, tackling and running to the ball and protecting the ball. Those things you try to work on all the time and getting the guys to understand how important all that stuff is."
Quick hits
UConn will host a "Celebration of the Life of Jasper Howard" on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Jorgesen Auditorium. The celebration will provide the UConn community an opportunity to remember Howard and will feature several speakers and musical interludes … The Huskies have lost their five games by a combined 15 points … The 47 points allowed to Cincinnati was the most since the Huskies allowed 66 points at West Virginia in 2007.
Be the first to comment on this article!