UConn sports

UConn coach Randy Edsall held his regular Thursday chat with reporters and provided some rather interesting information:

– RB Andre Dixon and DE Lindsey Witten have been cleared to play Friday night against Baylor.

Edsall added his usual line about ‘seeing where they fit into the game plan’ but expect Witten play quite a bit. As for Dixon, that’s a good question.

Donald Brown is off and running in a big way and the coaching staff still wants to get Jordan Todman his share of plays. Maybe that means we see Dixon in the slot some.

– As he was in the first three games, redshirt freshman Cody Endres will serve as the backup quarterback. Sophomore Zach Frazer is, for now, third-string.

“We have those guys working each week…next week Zach could be the backup,” Edsall said.

– Some 1,500 tickets for Friday’s game remained as of Thursday afternoon.

– Edsall has long said he prefers to play games on Saturday afternoons and that belief was reaffirmed this week as the Huskies prepared for Baylor.

The coaching staff was lamenting the fact that very few high school recruits would be able to visit for the game and that few would be able to watch the game live on TV because they were playing games themselves.

“It really hurts us more than it helps us,” Edsall said. “You probably don’t get as much exposure as you think you do on Friday night.”

– Darius Butler’s emergence as a wide receiver has opened Edsall’s eyes a bit to the possibility of more players (in the future; not necessarily with this roster) playing two-ways.

“If there are guys that play one side and might be able to help us on the other side, I don’t think I’m going to hesitate to try to use them,” Edsall said.

– When asked a question about the Huskies series with Baylor (over the phone), Edsall said he grabbed a folder that contains some information on his team’s signed contracts to play other schools.

An enterprising young reporter (OK, it was me) asked the coach if there was a tab in that folder tinted gold or one that the initials “ND” on top.

Edsall chuckled, adding “What are you a leprechaun?”

We took that as a no.

- Neill

Some info from the Burton Family Football Complex Tuesday afternoon:

– Jonathan Jean-Louis has returned to the two-deep, replacing Danbury’s Glenn Mourning as the backup strong safety. Dahna Deleston remains the starter.

– It’s impossible to mimic the abilities of Baylor freshman quarterback Robert Griffin.

But wide receiver Isiah Moore and defensive back Josh Massey (the former track and football star at Notre Dame-West Haven) are trying to do so by playing the role of Griffin this week on the UConn scout team.

“He doesn’t look like a freshman,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said of Griffin. “He’s going to give people fits for the next four years.”

– He’s putting up some big numbers through three weeks this season but Edsall isn’t about to start campaigning for running back Donald Brown to be included on a list of Heisman Trophy candidates.

“We’ll just let that all play out,” Edsall said.

– Running back Andre Dixon is getting closer to full strength.

“Andre practiced pretty well (Monday),” Edsall said.

Whether or not Dixon plays Friday night, however, the coach made it clear that freshman Jordan Todman will still get some touches.

“We’re going to use Jordan,” Edsall said. “He gives you a little bit of a different dimension than the other backs we have.”

- Neill

A few notes from the Big East’s weekly conference call:

– UConn RB Donald Brown was named Big East player of the week today, that thanks to his second 200-yard effort in two weeks.

Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen and cornerback/wide receiver Darius Butler made the league’s honor roll.

– UConn coach Randy Edsall says another set of games with Virginia could be in the works.

“We like the series,” Edsall said. “And I think, from what I’ve been told, our people are engaged in some conversations with Virginia about doing another series down the road.”

– Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, despite his team’s pathetic performances lately, says he’s not getting down.

“I’m holding up fine. I just want this thing to turn,” Robinson said. “My focus is on one day at a time, keep working.”

– Cincinnati is playing Miami (Ohio) Saturday in a series that dates back to 1888. The Bearcats are likely to get back on track in a big way, but coach Brian Kelly is billing the game as another tough one.

“For us it’s three consecutive weeks of conference champions,” Kelly said. “Eastern Kentucky, Oklahoma and now Miami.”

Uhhh, not to point out the obvious, but (sing along) one of these things is not like the other.

Actually, Cincinnati is facing somewhat uncertain times. The man who they hoped would be their third-string quarterback this season will start under center.

Ben Mauk ran out of appeals and Dustin Grutza’s leg is broken. Now it’s 6-foot-6 Tony Pike’s turn.

Pike has a stronger arm but isn’t nearly as elusive as Grutza is, Kelly said.

- Neill

I was a little off with my prediction of the final score of Saturday’s game, though I did come close with Virginia’s total. I said the Cavs would score nine points. They got 10.

Anyone who says they saw this final score coming is lying.

A few items from the postgame festivities:

– UConn’s 35-point margin of victory was its largest over a Division I-A opponent since it beat Kent State 63-21 Nov. 9, 2002. It was the program’s largest ever against a BCS Conference team.

– The Huskies’ 506 total yards represented their highest total against a Division I-A opponent since getting 566 against Syracuse Oct. 30, 2004. It was the highest overall since compiling 567 against Rhode Island Aug. 31, 2006.

– Darius Butler’s 13-yard touchdown on a reverse in the second quarter was a play specially designed for him.

“We lined up in a bunch formation, faked the toss to Donald Brown, I think, and tossed it to me going the other way,” Butler said. “Somebody made a block and I made a cut.”

Oh, and he caught a deep ball from Tyler Lorenzen and a key third-down ball.

– The Huskies’ first half dominance was evident on the stat sheet. They ran 38 plays for 307 total yards. Virginia ran 23 plays for just 90 yards, gaining just nine on the ground.

– Jordan Todman nearly missed his first chance to play. The freshman, who missed the Huskies’ first two games because of a shoulder injury, had to make an unscheduled return to the locker room seconds before kickoff.

“I had to go to the restroom,” Todman said with a laugh.

After it was over, and he had run 13 times for 81 yards and a touchdown, Todman could relax.

“I was excited. I’m happy with my debut,” Todman said. “I felt like I did pretty well. The team did pretty well, too. We won and that’s what’s important.”

– After going 11 quarters (plus one overtime) without allowing a touchdown, the UConn defense finally gave one up in the fourth quarter when Virginia’s Cedric Peerman scored on a 1-yard run.

“That was my fault. I jumped off-sides,” defensive end Cody Brown admitted. “I take full credit for that touchdown.”

- Neill

A few notables as we wait for kickoff at sunny (sort of) East Hartford.

– Running back Andre Dixon will miss another game with an ankle sprain. He’s on the sidelines and not warming up.

Plus, defensive end Lindsey Witten will miss his second game in a row with a knee injury.

As far as Witten, the Huskies probably won’t be in too much trouble. They have plenty of bodies there.

At running back, expect to get a good dose of Jordan Todman. The freshman speedster has been cleared to play and could make in impact tonight.

More from me soon.

- Neill

Here’s a release from UConn about fan stuff at Rentschler Field:

EAST HARTFORD – The University of Connecticut and Northland AEG have instituted a new confidential fan hotline and texting system at Rentschler Field to ensure that all patrons have an enjoyable experience at the stadium.

The hotline and texting system is for fans to call to report any behavior that impairs or otherwise interrupts their enjoyment both in the parking areas and during the game. Ticket holders should call 860-610-4884 or text to 860-861-8100 during UConn football games to reach a Fan Service Representative. Concerns will be addressed as they are reported. Fans are encouraged to saves these numbers in their mobile phones to make reaching Fan Services easier on game days.

“When people come to a UConn football game, they are our guests and we want them to have an outstanding experience,” says UConn Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway. “We are pleased to partner with Northland AEG to institute this customer service for UConn fans. This new hotline is another way to help ensure that our loyal supporters enjoy game days. All of us will continue to make efforts to enhance the positive atmosphere which makes Rentschler Field one of the best college football venues in the country.”

“We are always looking to create the best possible environment for fans,” say Chuck Steedman, Northland AEG Senior Vice President and General Manager of Rentschler Field. “Providing both a confidential telephone and text message hotline is an important step and it has been used very successfully at other venues. While we certainly want people to enjoy themselves at Rentschler Field, it is important that our fans accept responsibility and act in a manner that does not impair their neighbor’s enjoyment of the game.”

A few tidbits from Randy Edsall’s Thursday afternoon conference call:

– Saturday’s game is sold out, the school announced. It’s on ESPNU (if that matters) at 7:30.

The rest of UConn’s home games have tickets available, including next Friday’s game against Baylor.

– RB Andre Dixon (ankle) and DE Lindsey Witten (knee) are “maybes” for Saturday’s game against Virginia.

“We’ll see how they progress today,” Edsall said before Thursday’s practice.

– KR/RB Jordan Todman (shoulder) is another one who may or not play, though it doesn’t seem likely this week.

“Jordan has practiced all week,” Edsall said. “What we do with him will be determined after practice today (Thursday).”

– OG Alex LaMagdelaine had surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday and will be out for the rest of the season.

“Everything went very, very well,” Edsall said of the surgery.

– The Huskies found out that Virginia QB Peter Lalich would be sitting out Saturday’s game when everybody else did: Wednesday night.

“It’s not going to affect what we’ve prepared for,” Edsall said.

– Kicker Tony Ciaravino, who missed three field goals Saturday, has been solid in practice this week.

“He’s had a good week of practice so far,” Edsall said. “He was back to being consistent.”

Edsall said the coaching staff pointed out a small problem in Ciaravino’s technique and that he’s corrected it already.

- Neill

Some items from coach Randy Edsall‘s meeting with the media Tuesday morning:

– KR/RB Jordan Todman (shoulder) might _ just might _ play against Virginia.

“He practiced on Sunday. He’s practicing today. He’ll practice all week,” Edsall said. “We’ll see how he does.”

That’s usually Edsall-speak for “no” but you never know.

– Both DE Lindsey Witten (knee) and RB Andre Dixon (ankle) aren’t completely healthy, either.

“It’s all depending on how they feel and what they can do,” Edsall said. “They’re going to try to go and if they can go, they’ll play.”

– Edsall was asked plenty about play calling and the seemingly conservative nature. Plenty about this in Wednesday’s paper but you can probably guess what he said.

He also asked people (media and fans, I presume) to give offensive coordinator Rob Ambrose a break.

“Everything runs through me. … Put the blame on me. I’m the head coach,” Edsall said. “The buck stops right here.

“Take the shots at me.”

– CB Darius Butler is a first-time father. His daughter Maya was born Saturday before the Huskies took the field. “I had no idea (before the game),” Butler said.

Mother and child are doing well.

– Virginia RB Torrey Mack, a freshman from Stratford, likely won’t play this year (or even make the trip to East Hartford Saturday, it seems) but Cavs coach Al Groh has already been impressed by back.

“We really like him,” Groh said. “He’s tough, he’s got vision, he’s got all the skills.”

- Neill