The UConn football team doesn’t have a “rivalry” with Rutgers.
OK then. Let’s talk about the game anyway:
– Tight end Yianni Apostolakos hurt his hip in practice last week and will be out for about eight weeks.
John Delahunt has moved up the depth chart and is now listed as the backup to Martin Bedard.
The Huskies were already without starter Steve Brouse.
“Losing Steve was tough,” coach Randy Edsall said. “He was a very good blocker and a very good short to intermediate pass receiver.”
This may mean we see more of tackle Dan Ryan as a tight end, right coach?
“I don’t know about that,” Edsall said with a smile.
Well, does a tight end have to be a pass threat to play in the UConn offense?
“Could be,” Edsall said.
OK, then is Ryan a viable threat?
“Yes he is,” Edsall said. “He can catch the ball.”
Finally a straight answer. Sort of.
– Like many UConn fans Edsall watched former Husky quarterback Dan Orlovsky’s first NFL start on Sunday. Like others, Edsall cringed when he saw Orlovsky step over the end line for a safety.
“He never did that while he was here. I just felt bad for him,” Edsall said.
“I texted him and told him not to let one play get his confidence down,” Edsall said. “I’m sure he’ll never do that again.”
– The Huskies will make a rare appearance on Saturday afternoon this week.
“I’m glad for a noon game finally,” Edsall said. “I don’t know if we’ll know how to play, because we’re not used to playing at noon.”
UConn has played five night games this season.
– Edsall thinks quarterback Zach Frazer will play better this week.
“I would expect him to be better in this game,” Edsall said. “He really has a game-and-a-half under his belt.”
What did Frazer work on most during the break? It should be obvious.
“I definitely need to eliminate the turnovers,” Frazer said. “It was my fault last game so I’m trying to eliminate that.”
– The bye week came at a perfect time for the Huskies, they insist.
“They were going since July 31,” Edsall said. “It was time for a break for a lot of reasons: for health reasons, for mental reasons.”
Defensive tackles Alex Polito and Kendall Reyes rested their ankles (they’re expected to play this week) and most of the other players took it easy, too.
“You get things corrected, you get people healthy, then you try to get the guys away from it so they can clear their minds,” Edsall said. “As they come back they’re a little more fresh, more eager to go. That’s been my approach.”
– He hasn’t played much recently but Edsall said he’s still counting on tailback Andre Dixon.
“Andre’s fine. Andre’s No. 2 this week. We hope to get him in there a little bit more,” Edsall said. “I’m not worried about Andre whatsoever.”
– The Huskies had hoped defensive end Mike Cox would be back on the practice field at this point, but it’s been a little slow going with his knee injury.
“I don’t know if we’ll see him back on the practice field for another couple of weeks,” Edsall said. “I don’t think that’s going to put him in the mix to go out and play (soon).”
– Rutgers QB Mike Teel has struggled, but so hasn’t the rest of his team.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday he briefly considered benching Teel but decided it wasn’t in the best interest of anyone.
“I always consider everything. I’m not one to stick my head in the sand,” Schiano said. “It all boils down to me in the end. If I think someone else would give us a better chance to win then I’d play him.”
Schiano stuck with the senior, however, and it seems he’ll continue to do so.
“He’s our starter and I expect him to play well,” Schiano said.
- Neill
