University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Downed by Middle Tennessee, 38-14
11/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, TN (November 17, 2001) - Middle Tennessee running back Dwone Hicks had four touchdowns and ran for 156 yards to help the Blue Raiders defeat the University of Connecticut football team, 38-14, Saturday afternoon at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, TN. With the loss, the Huskies dropped their fifth straight and fell to 2-8 on the year, while Middle Tennessee moved its record to 8-3.
On the opening drive, Middle Tennessee used its no huddle offense to move the ball 82 yards. A handoff to Hicks who kept it and went seven yards up the middle, made it 7-0 with 13:59 remaining in the first. With the score, Hicks became the school's all-time leader in points in a single season.
UConn's first possession came up short when Marc Hickok’s (Jr., Gloversville, NY) 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked. Middle Tennessee took over and drove it to the UConn three before Hicks went left and powered it in on fourth and goal to make it 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
With 13:42 remaining in the second quarter, Hickok's second field goal attempt was true as he split the up- rights from 27 yards out to make it 14-3.
On the ensuing kickoff, Middle Tennessee made it a 14 point lead again when Kerry Wright broke loose up the sideline for an 86-yard kickoff return making him the only player to take one back against the Huskies this season. Good field possession led to the next points for the Blue Raiders when they took control of the ball at the UConn 31 after a punt. With 3:56 remaining in the half, Brian Kelly hit a 22-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-3.
After UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky (Fr., Shelton, CT) left the game with a bruised shoulder, Keron Henry (Fr., Brooklyn, NY) showed his versatility and engineered a 10 play, 44-yard drive. After Henry was blitzed and sacked on third down, Hickok nailed his second field goal of the day, again from 27 yards out, 15 seconds before the half to make it 24-6 at intermission.
The power running of Hicks continued in the third quarter as he came up with two more touchdowns. The first came on a 13-yard run at the 12:38 mark, while the second came when Middle Tennessee lined up in the offset I formation and gave the ball to Hicks who went one yard into the end zone to bring it to 38-6.
Orlovsky came back into the game early in the fourth quarter when Henry reinjured his knee. After a 25-yard slant pass to Wes Timko (Jr., DeLand, FL) got the ball down to the two, Orlovksy found tight end Rashad Drayton (Sr., Boston, MA) in the back of the end zone. Drayton, who kept one foot in on the reception, made it 38-12 and scored the third touchdown of his career. Following the touchdown, UConn elected to go for two and Orlovsky hit Cliff Hill (So., Wallingford, CT) in the middle of the end zone to end the scoring at 38-14.
Chandler Poole (So., Ft. Lauderdale, FL) led the UConn rushing attack as he got to the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career on 22 carries. However, Poole did leave the game after suffering a sprained ankle. On the day, Orlovsky finished with six completions on 16 attempts for 49 yards and a touchdown, while Henry, who returned to the game after his injury, went five for 15 for 53 yards.
UConn stays on the road next week as it concludes its season against Temple in Philadelphia, PA. Kickoff is set for noon at Franklin Field on Saturday, Nov. 24.
