Huskies remain aggressive on defense

UConn’s strong defensive effort could not make up for the stagnant offense as the Huskies recorded their first loss of the season, 10-7 to the N.C. State Wolfpack.

On third down, UConn only converted two out of the 12 that they faced. Quarterback Chandler Whitmer threw for 204 yards, but also threw three interceptions in the loss. As a unit, the offense ran 59 plays for a total of 239 yards. 

“Frustrating, it was a frustrating afternoon,” said head coach Paul Pasqualoni. “N.C. State is a good solid team; you can’t turn it over four times against a team like that.”

The Huskies could not find the end zone until the 7 minute mark of the 4th quarter, when sophomore running back Lyle McCombs scored on a five yard rush to cut the N.C. State lead to a field goal. The touchdown would be the only score for UConn all afternoon, as a late game drive was stopped at midfield to seal the victory for the Wolfpack.

Defense remains force to reckoned with 

While play on the offensive side of the ball was not going the Huskies’ way, the defense played a great game to keep UConn in the game right to the very end. The Huskies allowed 258 yards on 71 N.C. State plays, after allowing only 59 yards in UConn’s home opener against UMass.

“We’re a good defense, hands down; it doesn’t matter the opponent or who we play or what the scenario or situation is, we’re a good defense,” said senior linebacker Sio Moore. “We’ve built that into what we do and how we do it.”

Sophomore linebacker Yawin Smallwood continued to build off the success he found last weekend against UMass. Smallwood made 14 tackles against N.C. State, which brings his season total to 21. Senior defensive end Trevardo Williams made five tackles for the Huskies, including 2.5 sacks. 

Senior defensive tackle, Ryan Wirth, made four tackles against the Wolfpack, which Pasqualoni took away as one of the positives on defense from the afternoon. “From a defensive standpoint I thought that up front, Ryan Wirth for the second week had a very good game against a senior offensive line that has played a lot of football games together,” said Pasqualoni.

Mistakes and miscues plagued offense

Whitmer’s three interceptions were just part of the mistakes that became problematic for the Husky offense. The offensive line allowed Whitmer to be sacked three times during the game. Whitmer also had his foot stepped on twice during the course of the game by members of the offensive line.

 As UConn prepares for Maryland next week, some changes may be on the horizon for this offensive line. “You go back and evaluate the film and try to make the corrections you feel like you need to make and we’ll go through that process tomorrow,” said Pasqualoni.