University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Football vs. Pittsburgh Game Notes
10/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 6, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut football team will head down to Pittsburgh for their BIG EAST opener against the Panthers at Heinz Field on Saturday, October 10 at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on ABC Regional Television.
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Randy Edsall
UConn Randy Edsall has tackled the challenge of bringing a former NCAA Division I-AA team up to par with the BIG EAST in a 10-year span head on, guiding the Huskies to the 2007 BIG EAST Championship, three bowl games in the past five years with two bowl wins.
He has compiled a 60-61 career record and is in his 11th season at UConn, including wins in 50 of UConn's last 81 games dating back to the ninth game of the 2002 season. He has a 52-37 (.584) mark through the first 89 games of UConn's tenure at the FBS (Division I-A) level.
Saturday's game against Pittsburgh will be the 123rd of his UConn career --the most of any coach in UConn history. He topped the mark of 121 set by J.O. Christian (1934-49).
Immediately prior to becoming UConn's head coach in 1998, Edsall served as defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in 1998 under George O'Leary. Edsall began his coaching career at his alma mater, Syracuse, from 1980-1990, working under Frank Maloney and Dick MacPherson in a variety of capacities. Edsall moved on to Boston College where he coached defensive backs under Tom Coughlin from 1991-93 before following Coughlin to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, staying on the First Coast through the 1997 season.
Edsall is a native of Glen Rock, Pa., and graduated from Susquehannock High School. He was inducted into the York Area Sports Hall of Fame.
PITTSBURGH HEAD COACH DAVE WANNSTEDT
Dave Wannstedt is in his fifth year in charge of the Pittsburgh program and led the Panthers to the Sun Bowl last season. He was the head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins from 2000-04 and the head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1993-98, where he became the team's third all-time winningest coach.
He was on the Pittsburgh coaching staff from 1975-78 and also made stops at Oklahoma State (1979-82), USC (1983-85) and Miami (1986-88) before joining the Dallas Cowboys staff from 1989-92.
Wannstedt is a 1974 Pittsburgh graduate and was captain of its 1973 Feista Bowl team.
RADIO & TV COVERAGE
TV COVERAGE
Saturday's game will be televised regionally by ABC Sports. ABC will be televising three other games in this same time slot -- Wisconsin at Ohio State, Baylor at Oklahoma and Oregon at UCLA.
In addition to the markets that will see the UConn vs. Pittsburgh game on ABC, markets that are selected to see the Wisconsin vs. Ohio State game on ABC, will receive the UConn vs. Pittsburgh game on ESPN.
Mike Patrick is on play-by-play with Craig James on color and Heather Cox on the sidelines. Scott Matthews is the producer while Patrick McManus is the director.
RADIO COVERAGE
For the 18th consecutive season, WTIC 1080-AM in Hartford serves as the flagship station for the UConn Radio Network. WTIC is the state's only 50,000 watt signal and can be heard in 23 states and parts of Canada. Veteran UConn announcers Joe D'Ambrosio (play-by-play) and Wayne Norman (color commentary) return to call the action with Kevin Nathan on the side lines and Eric Davis on production. The UConn pregame show begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff, while home games, the UConn Tailgate Show will air two and a half hours prior to the game with Arnold Dean.
The UConn Football Radio Network also includes WILI 1400-AM in Willimantic, WLIS 1420-AM in Old Saybrook and WMRD-1150 AM in Middletown. UConn football games are also broadcast over the internet at WTIC.com.
SERIES NOTES
HUSKIES VS. PITTSBURGH ALL-TIME
Saturday's game is the sixth meeting between UConn and Pittsburgh and the Huskies hold a 3-2 advantage and a 1-1 mark at Heinz Field. The series dates back to 2004 when UConn joined the BIG EAST Conference. In the last meeting at Heinz Field, UConn and Pittsburgh opened the 2007 BIG EAST season as the Huskies took a 34-14 win. Tyler Lorenzen was 12 of 25 in the air for 174 yards while Donald Brown rushed for 54 yards. UConn led 27-7 at the half and the teams exchanged TDs in the fourth quarter.
Last season, Pittsburgh beat UConn by a 34-10 score on December 6 at Rentschler Field. The game was tied 3-3 at halftime, but the Panthers scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the third quarter to take control of the game. The Huskies committed five turnovers in the second half.
The game featured two of the nation's top rushers in 2008 as Brown ran for 189 yards and Pittsburgh's LeSean McCoy had 95, including a 47-yard TD run in the third quarter. On Sept. 30, 2004, UConn claimed its first ever BIG EAST win with a 29-17 victory over Pittsburgh at Rentschler Field before a national television audience on a Thursday night. Cornell Brockington ran for 185 yards and Dan Orlovsky threw for 237 more. On Nov. 12, 2005, UConn lost 24-0 at Heinz Field. The Huskies outgained Pitt, 299-192, but were undone by three interceptions thrown by Matt Bonislawski and a blocked field goal returned for a Pitt touchdown by Josh Lay. On Nov. 11, 2006, UConn downed Pitt, 46-45 in double overtime, in a thrilling game where Pitt led 31-17 with 12 minutes to play and the Huskies on their own two yard line. But, D.J. Hernandez led UConn back to tie the game on a touchdown pass to tight end Dan Murray with 0:03 left in regulation and on to victory by running in the game-winning two-point conversion in the second overtime period.
UCONN AND PITTSBURGH CONN-ECTIONS
A total of 17 Huskies hail from the state of Pennsylvania -- more than any other state....Several of them are natives of the Pittsburgh area: Brandon Dillon (Woodbridge), Cody Endres (Washington), Brad Kanuch (Johnstown), Zach Frazer and Tyler Bullock (Mechanicsburg) and Steve Greene (Edensburg, Pa.) are all from western Pennsylvania...Also, UConn linebackers coach Todd Orlando is a native of Pittsburgh where he attended Central Catholic High School. He began his coaching career at Central Catholic and Fox Chapel Area High School...Pittsburgh running backs coach David Walker was a teammate of Terry Richardson's in the Syracuse backfield from 1990-92. Scott Lakatos was the defensive graduate assistant on the 1992 team while Randy Edsall coached the SU defensive backs on the 1990 team. Edsall was also Syracuse's recruiting coordinator when Walker signed with the Orangemen...Pittsburgh Director of Football Operations Chris LaSala held the same title at BC when Edsall was there...Pitt's Greg Gaskins and UConn's Malik Generett both played at William Penn High School in York, Pa. ...Edsall's administrative assistant, Joanne Fazio, is a Pittsburgh native.
UCONN AND BIG EAST OPENERS
Saturday's game marks the beginning of the sixth season of BIG EAST Conference play for the UConn football program, dating back to 2004. UConn has a 3-2 record in BIG EAST openers with four of those games coming on the road. The Huskies played their first-ever BIG EAST game at former league member Boston College on Sept. 17, 2004, as the Eagles took a 27-7 win.
In other BIG EAST openers, UConn won at home vs. Syracuse in 2005, lost at South Florida in 2006, won at Pittsburgh in 2007 and won at Louisville in 2008.
UCONN AND NFL STADIUMS
On Saturday, when the Huskies face Pittsburgh at Heinz Field, home of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, UConn will be playing in an active (at the time of the game) NFL stadium for the 11th time in its history. UConn owns a 4-6 record in such games. Last season, UConn defeated Temple at Lincoln Financial Field (home of the Philadelphia Eagles) and lost to South Florida at Raymond James Stadium (home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
UConn defeated Toledo, 39-10, on Dec. 27, 2004 at Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions) in the Motor City Bowl. UConn lost to South Florida in 2001 and 2006 at Raymond James Stadium, lost the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (home of the Carolina Panthers) and have split a pair of games at Pittsburgh (Heinz Field) in 2005 and '07 Connecticut also split a pair of games against Yale in 1973-74 at the Yale Bowl, which was serving as a temporary home of the New York Giants during the reconstruction of Yankee Stadium.
RENTSCHLER GAMEDAY
At UConn home games, FanFest takes place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. outside the stadium between Gates C and D and features entertainment and family activities...the "Husky Walk" is a chance for fans to welcome the UConn team as they get off the team buses and head to the stadium. That takes place at approximatley 9:45 a.m. between Gates A and B. The 1959 Yankee Conference Championship team will be honored at Saturday's game.
SQUAD NOTES
EDSALL HAS LONGEVITY AT UCONN
UConn head coach Randy Edsall is in his 11th season in charge of the Huskies and he is tied for the ninth-longest tenured FBS coach at his current job. In addition to Edsall, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (a UConn graduate) and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops were all hired for their current jobs heading into the 1999 season. Joe Paterno is in his 44th season at Penn State to lead the way.
Edsall has now coached 122 games - the most by any UConn coach in history. He broke the record of 121 set by J.O. Christian (1934-49) earlier this season against Rhode Island. Edsall is the fourth coach to lead the Huskies into 100 career games, joining Christian (121), Tom Jackson (119 from 1983-93) and Robert Ingalls (106 from 1952-63).
Edsall's 61 career wins is third in UConn history behind Christian with 66 and Jackson with 62.
1,000 AND COUNTING
UConn's game against Rhode Island on Sept. 26 was the 1,000 game in program history dating back to the first team in 1896. UConn now has an overall program record of 468-494-38.
HOT ON THE ROAD IN SEPTEMBER
With UConn's wins at Ohio and Baylor during September of 2009, the Huskies have now won seven-straight road games during September. UConn topped Temple and Louisville last year, Duke and Pittsburgh in 2007 and Indiana in 2006. UConn's last September road loss was a 28-13 loss at 16th-ranked Georgia Tech on Sept. 17, 2005.
HUSKIES HAVE GONE BOWL-ING
UConn's trip to and victory in the 2009 International Bowl marked the third time in school history that the Huskies had gone to a bowl and the second consecutive. With UConn's win over Cincinnati on Oct. 25, UConn won its sixth game of the season and was "bowl eligible". UConn made the mark for the fourth time in the past six seasons. In 2003, UConn was 9-3, but did not go to a bowl because of its independent status. In 2004, the Huskies went 7-4 in the regular season and won the Motor City Bowl and in 2007, UConn was 9-3 in the regular season and went on to the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
HUSKIES ON WATCH LISTS
A number of members of the 2009 Huskies have been named to preseason "Watch Lists" for the upcoming year. They are:
Senior Tailback Andre Dixon (New Brunswick, N.J.) * Doak Walker Award Candidate
Junior Linebacker Scott Lutrus (Brookfield, Conn.) * Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
Sophomore Kicker Dave Teggart (Northborough, Mass.) * Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List
Sophomore Tailback Jordan Todman (North Dartmouth, Mass.) * Doak Walker Award Candidate
Senior Defensive End Lindsey Witten (Cleveland, Ohio) * Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award Preseason Candidate
HUSKIES MAKE NATIONAL POLLS
Connecticut earned a spot in both national polls on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 following its win at Louisville. UConn was ranked 23rd in the USA Today coaches' poll and 24th in the Associated Press poll. The Huskies fell out of both polls following a loss to North Carolina. During the 2008 season, UConn was ranked in the AP top 25 one week and received votes in ten of the other 16 polls. In the USA Today poll, UConn was ARV in every week but two.
UConn earned its first national rankings in 2007 as it appeared in four AP polls: 16 on Oct. 28, 16 on Nov. 14, 25 on Nov. 11 and 20 on Nov. 18. It also appeared in three USA Today polls: 20 on Oct. 28, 16 on Nov. 4 and 21 on Nov. 18.
UCONN VS. RANKED TEAMS
The Sept. 12 game vs. North Carolina marked the 14th time in school history that the Huskies faced a team ranked in the Associated Press poll at the time of the game. UConn's only win in those 14 games came on Oct. 27, 2007 with a 22-15 win over No. 11 South Florida. UConn first played a ranked team in the 2001 season opener at No. 9 Virginia Tech. UConn has played the country's top ranked team once when it travelled to Miami on Oct. 5, 2002.
FASTEST FROM DIVISION I-AA TO THE POLLS
SCHOOL I-A DEBUT FIRST RANKING
Marshall 1997 Two years, four weeks (9/12/99)
CONNECTICUT 2002 Five years, 10 weeks (10/28/07)
South Florida 2001 Six years, three weeks (9/9/07)
Boise State 1996 Six years, 13 weeks (11/10/02)
UCONN FOOTBALL A LEADER IN ACADEMICS
The UConn football program continues to be a leader in the BIG EAST Conference in terms of academic performance by its student-athletes. In the last release of the NCAA Academic Performance Rate (APR) results, UConn was third among the eight football schools in the BIG EAST Conference with a mark of 951 - and just five points behind the second-highest team.
UConn was the top BIG EAST team in the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) survey of last October as it graduated 77 percent of incoming freshman enrolled from 1998-2001 using the NCAA's formula. The UConn football program also had the highest NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for African-American student-athletes among all state universities that participated in a bowl game following the 2008 season.
Last year, the program was honored by the American Football Coaches Association for its graduation of student-athletes as part of its Academic Achievement Award program. This recognition was the fourth time in the past six years that the UConn program has been honored. UConn was also recognized by the AFCA in 2003, '05 and '07.
HUSKIES VS. THE BIG EAST
UConn owns an all-time mark of 14-20 in BIG EAST Conference games since joining the league for football in 2004. The Huskies posted their best conference record with a 5-2 mark in 2007 after tallying a combined mark of 6-14 over their first three seasons in the league.
TWO BIG EAST ROAD WINS IS A SEASON HIGH
UConn owns an all-time mark of 4-13 in BIG EAST Conference road games, since joining the league in 2004, after the wins at Louisville and Syracuse and the losses at Rutgers and South Florida. The 2008 season marked the first time that UConn won more than one BIG EAST road game. The Huskies posted a 1-2 mark in BIG EAST road games in 2007 with a win over Pittsburgh and losses at West Virginia and Pittsburgh.
HUSKIES ON THE ROAD SINCE 2002
The Huskies have put together a 18-22 road record since 2002. In non-conference road affairs over that same span, Connecticut has posted a mark of 15-9 and has won seven of its last nine such games, including this year's wins over Ohio and Baylor.
HUSKIES VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES SINCE 2002
Connecticut boasts a 36-16 record against non-conference opponents in the regular season since making the move to the FBS in 2002. The Huskies have won 10 of their last 13 regular season non-league games overall with the only blemishes coming via a one-point loss at Virginia (17-16) in 2007 and losses to North Carolina in 2008 and 2009.
UConn has posted the following records in non-conference games: 6-6 (2002), 9-3 (2003), 4-1 (2004), 3-1 (2005), 3-2 (2006), 4-1 (2007), 4-1 (2008), 3-1 (2009).
HUSKIES IN TEAM NCAA STATISTICS
Here are the categories where UConn is in the top 30 in the 2009 NCAA statistics:
Rushing Defense 8th at 68.00 (First in BIG EAST)
Total Defense 4th at 232.25 (First in BIG EAST)
Scoring Defense 18th at 15.00 (Third in BIG EAST)
Pass Defense 18th at 164.25 (Third in BIG EAST)
Sacks 6th at 3.75 (Second in BIG EAST))
In addition, Jordan Todman is 22nd in the country in rushing yards per game at 99.00 while Andre Dixon is 30th at 92.00. UConn is the only school to have two rushers in the top 30. Robert McClain is tied for sixth, and first in the BIG EAST, in interceptions with 0.75 per game. Desi Cullen is tied for 18th in punting, and first in the BIG EAST, at 43.90 yards. Lindsey Witten is second in sacks at 2.00 per game. Lawrence Wilson is tied for 17th in tackles.
TOUGH SLATE IN 2009 FOR HUSKIES
Three of UConn's five non-conference opponents this fall are members of the BCS as the Huskies play North Carolina of the ACC, Baylor of the Big 12 and independent Notre Dame. UConn is one of just three schools who are members of a BCS conference to play three fellow BCS conference members out of league, joining Syracuse and Georgia.
HUSKIES IN THE NFL
UConn currently has 11 former players that are currently on NFL rosters as training camps continue. Last year, a total of six former Huskies were on active NFL rosters -- an all-time high for UConn. The 2009 NFL Draft made history again for the Huskies as four UConn players were selected in the first 63 selections. UConn is the only BIG EAST school to have four players picked that early since the league was reorganized in 2005. The veterans of the UConn group are both entering their fifth year in the league. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky is in his first season with the Houston Texans after spending his first four with the Detroit Lions.
Fullback Deon Anderson is in his third year with the Dallas Cowboys.
UConn currently has two second-year players on NFL rosters: offensive lineman Donald Thomas with the Miami Dolphins - a 2008 sixth round draft and defensive back Tyvon Branch of the Oakland Raiders - a fourth round pick. Danny Lansanah is on the practice squad for the Dolphins after being a free agent signee of the Green Bay Packers in 2008 and was placed on the 53-man roster in early October `08; UConn's five NFL Rookies are: Donald Brown, a running back who was UConn's first All-American in the BCS era and the Huskies' first NFL First Round Draft Pick. He's with the Indianapolis Colts.
There are three Huskies who were picked in the second round: Darius Butler with the New England Patriots, William Beatty with the New York Giants and Cody Brown with the Arizona Cardinals. Brown has already suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Julius Williams signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars last spring and made the team. Tyler Lorenzen also signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and after being cut by the team has been picked up the New Orleans Saints and is on their practice squad. Former UConn players released in 2009 are: Linebacker Alfred Fincher was in his second year with the Washington Redskins after playing his first three years with New Orleans; Fincher has since signed with the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. Also cut were `09 free agent signees: Keith Gray with the Carolina Panthers and Dahna Deleston by the Chicago Bears.
HUSKIES IN THE CFL
In addition, there are seven former Huskies that are playing in the Canadian Football League this year - O'Neill Wilson (British Columbia Lions) and Jordan Younger (Toronto Argonauts), are both six-year players in the league. Maurice Lloyd (Edmonton Eskimos) is in his fourth year in the league while Terry Caulley (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) is in his third; Shawn Mayne (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), in his third year, Larry Taylor (Montreal Alouettes) is in his second year while Martin Bedard (Montreal Alouettes) is a rookie.
Taylor played in the Grey Cup final last year and was named the CFL Special Team Player of the Week earlier this season.
SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Each week head coach Randy Edsall issues an award for the Scout Team Players of the Week.
In recognition of their often-overlooked hard work, those players earn a spot on the Husky travel squad and the dress list for that week's game.
OHIO
Steve Greene (offense), Jerome Wiliams (defense), Matt Edwards (special teams)
NORTH CAROLINA
Nick Williams (offense), Shamar Stephen (defense), Mark Hinkley (special teams)
BAYLOR
Brian Parker (offense), David Kenney (defense), Malik Generett (special teams)
RHODE ISLAND
Malik Generett (offense), Chris Lopes (defense), Cole Wagner (special teams)
GAME BALLS
After each UConn victory, head coach Randy Edsall awards game balls for the team's top performer on offense, defense and special teams. Here are this season's game ball winners:
OHIO
Andre Dixon (offense), Lindsey Witten (defense), Robbie Frey (special teams).
BAYLOR
Andre Dixon (offense), Lawrence Wilson (defense), Desi Cullen, Japser Howard (special teams).
RHODE ISLAND
Cody Endres (offense), Robert McClain (defense), Trevardo Williams (special teams).
ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS:
Andre Dixon (5), Robbie Frey (4), Scott Lutrus (3), Desi Cullen (3), Jasper Howard (3), Lawrence Wilson (3), Mike Hicks (2), Robert McClain (2), Anthony Davis, Cody Endres, Alex LaMagdelaine, Moe Petrus, Anthony Sherman, Dave Teggart, Trevardo Williams, Lindsey Witten.
HUSKIES ON THE REBOUND
UConn is 21-12 in games following a loss since Oct. 26, 2002, including the International Bowl win over Buffalo in January.
BALL CONTROL IS THE KEY
A telling sign of UConn's strong performance on both sides of the ball during its tenure as a FBS program has been its ability to both record and prevent long drives. Since the start of the 2002 season, UConn's offense has strung together 67 scoring drives of at least 80 yards while the Husky defense has surrendered just 35 such marches.
UConn also holds a 18-5 advantage over its opponents in the number of 90-yard and over drives since becoming a I-A program.
HUSKIES DOMINATING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL
Over the past 80 games, UConn has outgained its opponent 54 times, including 10 of 13 games in 2008. This stretch, like many UConn trends, dates back to a 28-24 loss at Vanderbilt on Oct. 26, 2002.
CONNECTICUT'S FOUR CAPTAINS
The UConn team selected four team captains for the 2009 season, Desi Cullen, Robert McClain, Scott Lutrus and Anthony Sherman.
OFFENSE NOTES
TODMAN AND DIXON ARE RUSHING DUO
Obviously, the UConn offense loses a lot of rushing power from last year with the departure of Donald Brown, who had 2,083 yards last year, in addition to Tyler Lorenzen with 284.
However, the Huskies have seemed to not miss a beat in the rushing game as UConn is the only school in the nation with two of the top 30 rushers in the country Sophomore Jordan Todman was impressive last year as a true freshman with 296 rushing yards and three TDs.
Todman had an outstanding opening night against Ohio with 157 yards on 25 carries with a TD. The 157 yards was a career high and the first 100-yard rushing game of his career.
For his efforts, Todman was named to the weekly BIG EAST Honor Roll.
Todman was again UConn's leading rusher for North Carolina with 66 yards on 18 carries with a TD. He had 21 carries for 103 yards in the win over Baylor for his second career 100-yard game.
Todman currently has 396 yards of rushing on the season (avg. of 99.0 per game) to lead the team.
Senior Andre Dixon rushed for 100 yards in the opening win over Ohio on 19 carries. He had a terrific game at Baylor when he had 149 yards on 31 carries for three touchdowns.
The three rushing touchdowns doubled his career total to six and were also the first rushing TDs of his collegiate career since 2007.
Dixon was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for his efforts agaisnt Baylor. Dixon now has 368 yards of rushing in 2009 -- an average of 92.0 per game. He rushed for 828 yards as a sophomore in 2007 and had three TDs to earn second team All-BIG EAST honors.
The Ohio game for Dixon was the most rushing yards in a single-game since he went for 167 in a win over South Florida on Oct. 27, 2007.
Dixon now has six career 100-yard rushing games. The Ohio and Baylor performances marked the first time UConn had two 100-yard rushers in a game since Brown and D.J. Hernandez did it in an overtime win vs. Pittsburgh on Nov. 11, 2006.
YOUNG GUYS MAKE RECEPTIONS IN DEBUT
Three different receivers led the way for UConn in the opener vs. Ohio with each one making two receptions. Two of those three players were in their first collegiate game.
Senior Andre Dixon had two for 26 yards -- while redshirt freshman Ryan Griffin had two for 20 and true freshman Dwayne Difton had two for seven.
Against Baylor, redshirt sophomore Isiah Moore had a career high four receptions for 76 yards and is now the leading Husky receiver on the season with seven grabs for 107 yards.
In the Rhode Island win, sophomore Michael Smith stepped up and made a career-high eight receptions for 82 yards.
FRAZER BACK ON INJURED LIST IN 2009
Zach Frazer made his collegiate debut in UConn's win over Louisville in 2007 at quarterback for the Huskies. He came into the game late in the first half after starting QB Tyler Lorenzen suffered a broken foot.
Frazer was 11 of 24 in the air with two TDs and three interceptions in the opening night win over Ohio. The two TD passes match his entire number for all of 2008 as the Huskies had a total of five last year.
Frazer started the North Carolina and Rutgers games in 2007 for the Huskies at quarterback before suffering a head injury. He originally attended Notre Dame in 2006 and did not play for the Fighting Irish. He sat out 2007 as a transfer at UConn and finally returned to the playing field against Louisville.
He was eight of 15 in the air for 90 yards and a touchdown -- despite not having played in an organized football game since his high school senior year of 2005 in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He had his best passing numbers vs. Rutgers with 236 yards and a touchdown. Frazer was injured in the loss to North Carolina and missed the Baylor game.
He had his best passing numbers vs. Rutgers with 236 yards and a touchdown. Frazer began the 2009 season as UConn's starting QB and led the Huskies to a win at Ohio. He was injured in the loss to North Carolina and missed the Baylor and Rhode Island games.
ENDRES EXPERIECED AT QB
Cody Endres made his first collegiate start in a win over Cincinnati on October 25, 2008 at quarterback. The sophomore became UConn's third starting quarterback of 2008 after injuries to Tyler Lorenzen (foot) and Zach Frazer (head).
Endres was 18 of 42 in the air for 196 yards and did not throw an interception. He also started the West Virginia game and was 17 of 37 for 166 yards.
Endres was called into action on Sept. 12 against North Carolina as Frazer was injured and was three-for-seven in the air for 30 yards.
He made his third career start on Saturday vs. Baylor and was an effective 12 of 23 for 147 yards and his fourth start against Rhode Island, where he was 23 for 30 for 289 yards and two TDs.
DEFENSE NOTES
DEFENSE AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
UConn's defensive unit was amongst the best in the nation in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, the UConn scoring defense was ranked 22nd in the country and third in the BIG EAST at 19.77 points per game and was sixth in the nation and first in the BIG EAST in total defense, giving up just 278.00 yards per game. UConn was also first in the league in pass efficiency defense and ninth in the country.
WITTEN SECOND IN NATION IN SACKS
UConn senior Lindsey Witten has enjoyed four outstanding games to start the 2009 season. He had a strong-opening night for the Huskies against Ohio. He made his 10th career start and had three sacks for a total loss of 24 yards -- including a key defensive play that resulted in a safety to put the Huskies up 16-7.
For his efforts, Witten was named the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Witten had four sacks for a loss of 22 yards in the game vs. North Carolina on Sept. 12 and a sack in the win vs. Rhode Island. He is second in the country in sacks per game with 2.0. He was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll after the North Carolina game.
JOSEPH STARTS RIGHT AWAY
UConn freshman Jesse Joseph started his first career game for the Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Ohio at defensive end and made a pair of tackles. He became the first Husky to start as a true freshman in a season-opener since punter Shane Hussar in 2004.
Tailback Terry Caulley and fullback Deon Anderson both started the season-opener as true freshmen in 2005. Joseph became the first player to start the opening game as a true freshman on defense in the UConn FBS era - since 2002. Joseph was a January 2009 enrollee and had eight tackles in his second career game on Saturday vs. North Carolina. The defensive end spot on the left side is an inexperienced one as freshman Trevardo Williams is behind Joseph. Williams, also a Janaury 2009 enrollee, made four tackles in his collegiate debut vs. Ohio with a sack and had a tackle vs. UNC.
LUTRUS LEADS THE WAY
UConn sophomore Scott Lutrus led the Huskies in tackles with 106 in 2008 and also had an interception and five pass break-ups. He missed the North Carolina game with an injury sustained vs. Ohio.
He had 12 tackles vs. Temple and was named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll. Lutrus also led UConn in tackles in the win vs. Virginia with six and had 10 tackles and 2.5 for a loss in the win over Baylor. He led UConn with nine tackles in the win over Cincinnati. Lutrus led the Huskies with 14 tackles vs. Syracuse.
As a redshirt freshman in 2007, he make an immediate impact at the strongside linebacker post. He was third on the squad with 107 tackles, eight of which were for a loss.
He also had four interceptions on the year, returning two for TDs to tie both UConn's season and career records. Lutrus' four INTS in `07 tied for the most in the nation by a linebacker.
McCLAIN HAS SEVENTH CAREER INTERCEPTION
Husky senior cornerback Robert McClain made his first start of the 2008 season on Nov. 15 vs. Syracuse in place of the injured Darius Butler. McClain made the most of his opportunity as he returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game.
He was the leading tackler in the win over Buffalo in the International Bowl with eight stops and 3.5 tackles for a loss.
McClain has six tackles vs. UNC with his first interception of the season and seventh of his career.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
TEGGART ALREADY IN RECORD BOOK
Dave Teggart made his collegiate debut on Oct. 25, 2008 as the Huskies' kicker and was an impressive four-for-four on field goals and also made four extra point attempts. Teggart hit on field goals of 26, 47, 32 and 22 yards. The 47- yarder was even more impressive considering it was kicked into a strong Rentschler Field wind. The four field goals tied a UConn single-game record with five other Husky kickers -- the most recent being Matt Nuzie against Toledo in the 2004 Motor City Bowl. Teggart finished the 2008 campaign with a 13 for 15 mark in the field goal department. The 15 field goals are tied for the fourth-highest in school history in the single-season department. He also hit a pair of field goals against West Virginia of 36 and 38 yards and had three field goals vs. Syracuse of 23, 37 and 21 yards.
Teggart was a two-time BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week -- earning the honor after the Cincinnati and Syracuse games.
He made the first 11 field goal attempts of his collegiate career and the 11-straight is already the longest streak in school history.
Matt Nuzie made 10-straight in 2004. Teggart is the first kicker in school history to successfully convert his first 11 field goal attempts.
In addition, he is also a perfect 11-for-11 in extra point attempts.
CULLEN HANDLES PUNTING DUTIES
Senior Desi Cullen entered the 2009 season as the leading punter in school history in terms of average at 40.3 yards per boot. He has a 43.9 yard average this year through four games with eight of 21 punts inside the 20-yard line.
He solidified his role as the team's starting punter and kickoff specialist in 2007 and received a game ball in his first collegiate game -- a win over Duke. He also earned a game ball in 2008 in the wins over Virginia and Louisville and last week vs. Baylor.
JASPER THE RETURNER
UConn junior cornerback Jasper Howard is also the Huskies punt returner. He was second in the BIG EAST in punt returns with an average of 10.93 yards per return in 2008, which was also good for 28th in the country. On Nov. 15, 2008 against Syracuse, he had his first career punt return for a TD with a 69-yard effort in the third quarter. Howard earned the special teams game ball in the win over Baylor.
STADIUM/ATTENDANCE NOTES
RENTSCHLER FIELD
The Huskies moved into brand new Rentschler Field in East Hartford for the 2003 season with the stadium opening its doors on August 30 when UConn defeated Indiana, 34-10. Conveniently located within miles of Interstates 91, 84 and 384, the home of the Huskies lies on 75 acres of land donated to the State of Connecticut from the historic Pratt & Whitney Airfield. The stadium, like the former airfield, is named for that company's founder, Frederick Rentschler. The stadium boasts a capacity of 40,000 with 38 luxury suites in a massive press box tower which helps enclose the natural grass field. While UConn football serves as the primary tenant, the facility also attracts other prominent events to Hartford. Rentschler Field hosted two concerts by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, one by the Rolling Stones and one by The Police. Several prominent international soccer contests have been played on the pitch at Rentschler Field, most notably a World Cup Qualifier between the United States and Trinidad & Tobago on Aug. 17, 2005.
A HOT TICKET
Swelling interest in the Husky football program as it gradually moved up into BIG EAST play can perhaps be best evidenced by the rise in attendance.
UConn sold 28,000 season tickets in 2008 and sold its entire allotment of student season tickets at 4,700. The opening game against Hofstra saw over 5,000 Husky students attend the game.
These figures are staggering sums considering that the entire 2001 season ticket base was around 4,000. In 2002, the number reached 11,300 in the final season of Memorial Stadium. The burgeoning season ticket base more than doubled to 24,000 for the inaugural season at Rentschler Field and rose to 28,000 a year later in 2004. UConn reached an all-time high of 32,000 season tickets in 2005.
SELLOUTS THE NORM
The Huskies have sold out 25 of their first 41 dates at Rentschler Field, including a stretch of 12 in a row.
UConn has played to 96-percent of capacity all-time in East Hartford, drawing 1,581,291 fans, or an average of 38,568 per game.
RENTSCHLER FIELD PROVES FRIENDLY FOR HUSKIES
The Huskies went 7-0 at home in 2007 at Rentschler Field and 4-2 in 2005 after compiling a 6-1 home record in 2004.
UConn's 3-4 mark at home in 2006 was its only sub-.500 record at Rentschler Field. The seven home wins in 2007 set a school record for a single season which was previously set in 2004. In the process, the Huskies joined the 1993 West Virginia Mountaineers as the only BIG EAST schools to ever post a perfect 7-0 home record. UConn presently stands at 30-11 all-time at Rentschler Field including an 19-4 mark in non-conference games.
MICHIGAN, TENNESSEE AMONG THOSE COMING TO RENTSCHLER FIELD IN THE FUTURE
UConn has recently finalized an agreement with the University of Michigan for a home-and-home football series in the 2010 and 2013 seasons. UConn will travel to Ann Arbor on Sept. 4, 2010 to play in Michigan Stadium while the Wolverines will come to Rentschler Field on Sept. 21, 2013 to take on the Huskies. UConn will also play a home-and-home series with Tennessee beginning in 2015 with the Volunteers coming to Rentschler Field on Sept. 26 with a return trip to Knoxville on Sept. 3, 2016. Other upcoming non-conference opponents coming to Rentschler Field include Vanderbilt (2010), Iowa State (2011), North Carolina State (2012) and Maryland (2013). By the conclusion of the 2010 season, UConn will have played host to non-conference opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 10, Big XII and Southeastern conference at Rentschler Field.
Players Mentioned
