University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
ECU
Passing Game Emerges in 41-38 Defeat
9/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Phil Chardis
Athletic Communications
EAST HARTFORD - The offense that the UConn football team has been expecting arrived at Pratt & Whitney Stadium Sunday --- by air mail.
Despite the disappointment of a 41-38 loss to ECU, the Huskies produced some of their most impressive passing statistics in years --- 406 yards by quarterback Bryant Shirreffs, the most by a UConn QB in four years; two receivers each with 100 yards, for the first time in four years; seven different receivers catching at least one pass, without top pass-catcher Hergy Mayala, who left the game early with an ankle injury; and three TD passes, including a 79-yarder.
Added to the Huskies' 190 rushing yards, the 596 total yards are the most production by a UConn team in 12 years.
While nothing takes away the sting of an American Athletic Conference loss, the offensive output is clearly something to build upon with nine games still remaining in the season. And if UConn can count on the weapons that were unveiled in the passing game Sunday, opposing defenses have a couple of added headaches --- namely senior running back Arkeel Newsome and redshirt freshman wideout Mason Donaldson.
Newsome's versatility as both a runner and a receiver has long been a bonus for the Huskies, but Sunday he set new standards as a pass-catcher with a career-high 170 yards and a 79-yard TD catch, escaping from a seemingly-impossible situation of four ECU defenders converging on him on the sideline. He is the first UConn running back to gain over 1,000 yards receiving and his 94 catches are a Husky record for a running back.
Count on the Ansonia native to be even more involved in the passing game.
"We evaluate every day and we're learning about guys - what they can do and what they can't do," UConn Coach Randy Edsall said. "As things unfolded, we felt we knew what he could do and now we want to accentuate the strengths. He did a good job of doing his job and executing his assignments. He made good runs. That's what we have to do, find out how we can get guys in the best possible position to make plays."
Newsome is embracing what might be a role that gives him more room to work on the field.
"It was definitely a little different today," Newsome said. "That's what coach told me to get ready for, to get out and hopefully make plays and that's what happened. We'll talk and roles can change, but whatever role they give me, I'm going to give it my all."
Which pretty much describes the attitude of Donaldson, who has worked his way from a fringe player on the special teams to a stunning performance Sunday, six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns..
"Donaldson is a guy who listens and understands what's being said," Edsall said. "He worked to get his opportunity. He came from being a guy who you didn't think was going to play much, in any phase, but we put him in because we saw how hard he was working. We put him on kickoff return and he aced that. By doing that, we incorporated him into even more special teams because of getting his job done.
"We went into this week thinking he was going to alternate with Hergy because of the work he was doing and the productivity that he was showing. When Hergy went down, it didn't surprise me that he went in and performed the way he did. That's what I've been seeing.
"He's a great example to the other members of his teams - to guys who haven't gotten at opportunity yet. If they want that opportunity, all they have to do is look at that guy and how he earned it. And then when he earned that opportunity, he took advantage of it."
Donaldson is far too young to know of Wally Pipp, the New York Yankees' first baseman who took a day off, only to be replaced by Lou Gehrig for the next 2,130 games. Maya is not Pipp, and Donaldson is not Gehrig, but the receiver from Allentown, Pa., has obviously made himself part of the Huskies' offensive equation.
"I really just tried to work hard on the field and off the field, and worked my way as the backup to Hergy," Donaldson said. "When Hergy went down, we work by the motto, that next guy's got to hop in and do the same role.
"I started the year on kickoff returns and as the year went on, I found my role increasing and increasing. Coach had a lot of trust in me to do that. But I think I'm still in the same spot - I still am the No. 2 to Hergy. If he can't play, I'll hop into that role again, but if he's back, I'll assume my role right behind him."
The way Donaldson played Sunday, however, it might be more beside him.
"He's a great example of being ready when your time comes," Shirreffs said. "It's tough in that position, but I'm proud of what he did. I can't say I'm surprised because he's been preparing and he's a great player. But it was nice to see him make some plays and surprise other people."
