Connecticut’s opener: Pride versus pride

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, August 25, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Connecticut Huskies
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Every game is important, you have to take them one at a time (just like pants legs) and all that. Moreover, Appalachian State's Big House shocker over Michigan last season will forever change the way Division 1-A schools look at their smaller brethren.

Still, this is 1-AA Hofstra from the Colonial Athletic Association that the University of Connecticut is facing on Thursday night, and chances are the game won't be that close. Co-champions of the Big East last season (although that was somewhat tainted when UConn was hammered by co-champion West Virginia), the Huskies return nine starters on defense and seven on offense. Coach Randy Edsall, a master motivator, has been able to build on the fact that Connecticut was picked to finish sixth in the conference by media voters.

UConn even has an official mantra for this season: "Let's get it!" Meaning a Big East title.

On the other hand, Hofstra presents a challenge for film junkies, because the Pride (7-4 last season after starting out 6-0) has 28 newcomers on its squad, including 11 transfers -- some of whom are expected to start. The visitors do return quarterback Bryan Savage, who threw for 2,668 yards last season, and 6-foot-5 favorite target Ottis Lewis.

Savage threw 16 interceptions last season, however, which has to cause some salivation on the part of a veteran UConn secondary.

That secondary was strengthened before fall practice even began, when Edsall decided to scrap an experiment that would have moved outside linebacker Scott Lutrus into the middle to replace Danny Lansanah and switched strong safety Dahna Deleston to linebacker. Instead, sophomore Greg Lloyd was deemed ready to take over in the middle and Deleston and Lutrus were told, "As you were."

Thus, Jasper Howard is the only new starter in a secondary that includes Robert Vaughan (seven interceptions in 2007), Darius Butler and the hard-hitting Deleston.

Connecticut will also menace Savage with a savage pass rush, led by ends Julius Williams and Cody Brown, who had 15 sacks between them last season.

On offense, Connecticut quarterback Tyler Lorenzen stands ready to probe a Pride secondary with three new starters.

The big senior threw for 2,264 yards last season to a receiving corps without a deep threat, and one combination of stats is revealing -- 30 sacks, only seven interceptions. That conjures up the image of a quarterback waiting as long as possible to unload, hoping for someone to achieve separation.

In diminutive redshirt freshman Kashif Moore, Edsall hopes he might have someone capable of stretching the field, or at least getting open. UConn may even use cornerback Butler on offense on occasion, for the same reason. Brad Kanuch is a solid possession receiver, while tight end Steve Brouse is a capable second or third option.

Of course, against Hofstra, Connecticut may not have to pass much at all. Running backs Andre Dixon and Donald Brown combined for over 1,600 rushing yards last season, and both can operate inside or outside. Moreover, they'll be behind an offensive line with three returning starters and a reputation for aggression.

If all goes according to Edsall's daydreams, the Huskies will grab a big lead early and allow him to empty his bench (and, perhaps, give backup quarterback Zack Frazer and promising new running backs Meme Wylie and Robbie Frey some reps).

Besides Lloyd, Howard and Moore, other new starters include offensive guards Moe Petrus and Zach Hicks and wideout Ellis Gaulden, a backup in 2007 after recovering from a series of knee injuries that cost him the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Howard and Butler will replace outstanding 2007 kick returner Larry Taylor.

Game time is 7:30 at 40,000-seat Rentschler Field.

Realfootball365.com prediction: Connecticut 42, Hofstra 14.
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