UConn sports

UConn linebacker Scott Lutrus is not on the Big East’s weekly injury list of players who are out for the season or scheduled for surgery that is released Monday.

That doesn’t mean Lutrus will play Saturday for the Huskies against Texas Southern. The league’s report on players who may be probable, questionable, doubtful or out is released Thursday.

Coach Randy Edsall, as is his new personal policy, would not discuss injuries when asked Monday on the Big East’s weekly conference call.

A few more numbers to chew on from the opening week of Big East play:

– Cincinnati’s 18-game regular season win streak is over thanks to Saturday night’s loss to Fresno State

If you thought UConn’s offensive line was bad in Week 1 (it was maybe sub-par but not terrible, to be fair), check out some of Cincinnati’s numbers from its opener.

In that Fresno game Bearcat quarterback Zach Collaros was sacked 8 times. Eight!

And (mostly because of that sack yardage) Cincinnati finished the game with a total of just 15 rushing yards.

– Rutgers is the only team in the nation that has recorded at least one shutout in each of the past five seasons. Those shutouts have come against:

Norfolk State (yawn), Texas Southern (yawn), Morgan State (yawn), Norfolk State (yawn), Illinois (pretty good), and USF (very good).

– Syracuse’s win over Akron Saturday was: its first season-opening win since a 3OT victory over North Carolina in 2003, and head coach Doug Marrone’s first road win as Cuse coach.

How’s this for a change: The season has only just begun but Syracuse is second in the Big East in total offense and second in total defense.

The Orange were the only Big East team last week to beat a Division I-A (FBS) foe.

– UConn is last in the league in scoring defense and scoring offense.

- Neill

UConn has not reported any season-ending injuries to the Big East, as of 11 a.m.

League teams have been asked to report any major injuries to the league (those out for the season or scheduled for surgery).

So, that means UConn LB Scott Lutrus is probably not seriously injured. Husky coach Randy Edsall has been mum on Lutrus’ health, even as senior captain missed much of Saturday’s loss to Michigan.

We’ll have more info when we speak to Edsall on the Big East’s conference call in a half hour or so.

- Neill

The Big East released its players of the week this morning. It’s an Orange theme today.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK _ Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse. Nassib had 287 yards of total offense and threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes in his first career start to lead Syracuse to a 29-3 win at Akron. He finished 17 of 27 passes for 229 yards, rushed for 58 yards on nine attempts and completed passes to seven different receivers.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK _ Mike Holmes, FS, Syracuse. Holmes had a team-high six tackles with one sack to lead a Syracuse defense that limited Akron to just three points and 166 yards of offense. Holmes also scored a touchdown on a 57-yard blocked field goal return.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK _ Brandon Bing, CB, Rutgers. Bing blocked two punts to set up Rutgers scoring plays in the win over Norfolk State.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville — Ran for a career-high 153 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, on 16 carries in a 23-16 loss to Kentucky.

Alex Silvestro, DE, Rutgers — Had five tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss. Led a defense that held Norfolk State to 25 rushing yards and an 0-for-12 showing on third down conversions.

B.J. Daniels, QB, USF — Completed 15 of 22 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-14 win against Stony Brook.

Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia — Ran for 111 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in a 31-0 win against Coastal Carolina. Moved into eighth place on the Big East’s career rushing chart (3,492 yards).

Gregg Pugnetti, P, West Virginia — Averaged 49.2 yards on six punts with a long punt of 71 yards. Downed two punts on the 1-yard line to help keep the Chanticleers out of the red zone for the game.

- Neill