University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Football Flies Past Owls, 61-14
11/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
November 2, 2002
STORRS, CONN. - Freshman running back Terry Caulley (Lusby, MD) rushed for a career-high three touchdowns and sophomore quarterback Dan Orlovsky (Shelton, CT) matched his career-high by throwing for three more as Connecticut set a school record for points in a home football game by blasting Florida Atlantic, 61-14 in the penultimate game at Memorial Stadium.
The win improves the Huskies’ record to 3-6, while the Owls slip to 0-8.
UConn got off to a quick start scoring two touchdowns in the first 3:07 of the game. Caulley’s 33-yard scamper capped an 80-yard drive to open the game. On the ensuing kickoff, senior Marc Hickok (Gloversville, NY) pooch kicked and UConn recovered at the Florida Atlantic 37. Four plays later, Orlovsky hit junior wide receiver Shaun Feldeisen (Stow, MA) with an 18-yard scoring strike.
Later in the quarter, junior defensive end Uyi Osunde (Bloomsburg, PA) blocked an Andy Rosas punt that was recovered by freshman linebacker James Hargrave (Pleasantville, NJ) at the FAU 35. Three plays later, Caulley scored from three to give the Huskies a 21-0 lead.
The Huskies added three more touchdowns in the second quarter on another Caulley scoring run and touchdown passes from Orlovsky to freshman tight end Tim Lassen (Cheshire, CT) and freshman wide receiver Brandon Young (Morganza, MD). The touchdown was the first of Lassen’s UConn career.
Caulley finished with 105 yards on just 15 carries. It was the fourth 100-yard rushing game in just seven career starts. Orlovsky was a sharp 13 of 19, for 218 yards. Both Caulley and Orlovsky each only played the first half as Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall was able to substitute freely in the second half.
Freshman quarterback Jermell Williams (Hollywood, FL) played most of the second half and scored his first career touchdown on one-yard run in the third quarter. Senior linebacker Razul Wallace (Hicksville, NY) scored UConn’s final touchdown by returning an interception 31 yards for a score.
The UConn defense also played effectively. The Huskies held the Owls to a school-record minus-12 yards rushing which eclipsed the minus eight yards Yale managed against UConn in 1984.
Garrett Jahn came off the bench to throw two touchdowns in the second half for Florida Atlantic.
However the story of the day was the potent Husky offense. The 496 yards of total offense generated was the most under Edsall, besting the 455 yards against Northeastern in 2000. The 61 points scored was the most since defeating Yale 63-21 in 1998 and the 42 first half points were the most since scoring 42 against Rhode Island in 1985.
A crowd of 14,287 watched the UConn rout, bringing the season attendance tally to 78,511. This breaks the all-time single-season attendance mark, which was set last year. UConn will add to that record when they play their final home game of the 2002 campaign and the final game ever in Memorial Stadium next Saturday, November 9, when they host Kent State. Game time is set for noon.
UConn Quotes
Head Coach Randy Edsall:
"We did what we were supposed to do today. I thought our players showed maturity today in how they prepared and how they practiced and went out and did a good job. And like I said, what should have happened today did happen. That shows that the program has come along way, because a lot of times when things were supposed to happen with this program they didn’t happen. So, again, credit to the assistant coaches and the players for doing a great job."
"We outmanned Florida Atlantic and got to play a lot of players and that help moral."
"One of the things I’m most excited about is the fact that in nine games our kids have come ready to play and they’ve treated every game the same way. I think that’s one thing we’ve been consistent with throughout. They didn’t look at the jerseys or the name of who they were playing. They just tried to take care of their own business."
"Any time you win at this level, they’re all good wins. We get that feeling back again after being disappointed a couple of the previous weeks. All the hard work and the preparation shows that it pays off. Again, we’re doing everything for the long haul. This isn’t the short term. We battled and we have to be able to get some wins like this to help us and keep us going. I think it does a lot for us."
"There are still a lot of things for us to work on – I won’t get into those today – but it was a very, very good win for our kids and our coaches."
Do you feel sorry for Florida Atlantic?
"I don’t know if I feel sorry, because I’ve been there and I don’t know if anyone felt sorry for me or our program. I understand where they’re at, which is why I tried to some of the things we did in the second half. I can empathize with them."
Did you know that was the highest point total for UConn at Memorial Stadium?
"At least we broke one record during my tenure here."
"We went out and did basically what I thought we should do today. And that does show me a sign of maturity."
Were you worried about not playing Jeff Larson because of his fan section behind the bench?
"I was worried for my life, so I knew if I didn’t put him I probably would’ve got jumped after the game. I’m glad that our team took care of things so we could take advantage and get those kids into the game. Those kids work extremely hard, and Jeff Larson has been a great inspiration with his attitude and the way he practices during the week. And to be able to get a young man into the game, makes you feel good and I know he felt very, very good about getting into the game."
Freshman tight end Tim Lassen
"We prepared for it like every game. We just came out and executed."
Get nervous when the touchdown pass was coming?
"No, I try not to think that. If you think about it, you’re thinking too much. And when you think, you get into trouble."
"It feels great. We work on it so much, and sometimes we’re brilliant and other times we’re sluggish. It was nice to run on all cylinders today."
On next week being the last game at Memorial Stadium
"A lot of people put sweat and blood is on that field. It’s just going to be something special to be a part of."
Junior defensive end Uyi Osunde
"We did a pretty good job. We stayed focused all week. We came in here to try and achieve some goals and we did that today."
More pressure on you today because it was a game you were supposed to win?
"No, we try and approach every week with the same intensity and the same kind of focus."
Fun to play in a game like this?
"Yes, if you factor out the cold. Whenever you’re winning and putting up a lot of points, it makes everything better."
Freshman tailback Terry Caulley
"We needed a win like this because we knew we couldn’t afford to have another close game and lose it in the second half, like has happened in the past."
Sophomore quarterback Dan Orlovsky
"It was good to see us not to overlook them and stay focused. And I knew we wouldn’t just by our week of practice. Coach Edsall said we had probably our best week of practice this year."
"We know we’re not a Miami and that we can’t ever take anyone likely. We have to take every opportunity we get."
"I thought we did things good today. I think the biggest thing I saw today was the play calling was pretty aggressive. I think we pretty much clicked on all cylinders today, except for a couple of drives."
Senior offensive tackle Steve Cully
"Coach put a lot of pressure on us because this was definitely a team we should have been able to dominate. He wasn’t going to accept anything less than our best."
