University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Rhode Island
Endres, Todman Lead Huskies Past Rams 52-10
9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 26, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - Redshirt sophomore quarterback Cody Endres (Washington, Pa.) set career-highs in completions and passing yards and threw the first two touchdowns of his career as Connecticut overcame seven fumbles to dominate Rhode Island, 52-10, before a crowd of 38,620 at Rentschler Field Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies improve to 3-1 on the season, while the Rams drop to 1-2 with the loss.
Endres, making his second start of the season, completed 23-of-30 attempts for 289 yards and touchdowns to Andre Dixon (New Brunswick, N.J.) and Mike Lang (Largo, Fla.). The Huskies added 199 rushing yards led by Dixon, who had 98 yards on 17 carries, and Jordan Todman, who rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries and registered a career-best three rushing touchdowns.
The game was the 1000th played in Connecticut football history, which dates back to 1896.
The Huskies broke out from the gate quickly, scoring in just 1:58 when Endres hit Dixon from the Rhode Island 18 to put UConn on the board. On the following Ram possession, senior cornerback Robert McClain (Lusby, Md.) recorded the first of his two interceptions on the day to set the Huskies up at the Ram 37. Three Todman rushes later, the Huskies were back in the end zone, enjoying a 14-0 lead just 4:37 into the contest.
Later in the quarter, Rhode Island scored its only touchdown of the game on a pretty 66-yard pass from Chris Paul-Etienne to Tyquan Bynum. The 14-7 deficit was the closest the Rams would get for the rest of the game.
After another McClain interception, Todman capped an 11-play, 67-yard drive with an eight-yard scoring scamper, and right before intermission, redshirt sophomore placekicker Dave Teggart (Northborough, Mass.) kicked a 19-yard field goal to put the Huskies ahead 24-7 at intermission. The Rams were held to just three first downs in the opening half, and committed three turnovers. Only two Endres sack-and-fumbles kept the Rams within striking distance.
Midway through the third quarter, Todman bulled over from the two on a third-and-goal for his third rushing score of the contest. After another Ram punt, Endres found a wide open Lang for a 50-yard scoring strike, giving Lang his first career touchdown reception, and putting the Huskies safely ahead, 38-7.
Redshirt sophomore tailback Robbie Frey (Lehighton, Pa.) scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one on a 13-yard scamper and another on a 54-yard dash. Frey finished with 69 yards on five carries.
Endres' favorite target was sophomore wide receiver Michael Smith (Houston, Texas), who set career standards with eight catches and 82 receiving yards.
Sophomore linebacker Lawrence Wilson (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) was the defensive catalyst all game long. Wilson registered 12 tackles, recorded two of Connecticut's three sacks and forced one fumble. Defensive tackle Twyon Martin (Parkland, Fla.) had the other sack and had two tackles for loss. The Husky defense allowed just five Ram first downs and held the Rhode Island running game in check, allowing just 29 yards on the ground on 32 attempts. The Rams were successful on just one of 15 third-down conversion attempts.
The Huskies now enter their first of two bye weeks this season. They will return to the gridiron on October 10, when they open BIG EAST Conference play when they travel to play at Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. Game time will be determined at a later date.
Players Mentioned
