University of Connecticut Athletics
Competition Critical With Season Looming
8/16/2018 1:53:00 PM | Football
STORRS, Conn. -- On the calendars of the UConn football community, August 30 is circled. It's a date that signifies the beginning of the 2018 season with a matchup against the defending American Athletic Conference champion UCF Knights. It's the first opportunity to make a statement against an opponent and showcase all the hard work the Huskies have put in during the offseason.
However, for the UConn players and coaches, the full focus isn't on the Knights, but instead on the competitions and battles going on within the heart of preseason camp. With two weeks to go, there are jobs to be won, roles to be filled and a bond to be formed during the grueling summer practices under the sun.
"We are at the point in camp where the evaluation period is almost over," said UConn head coach Randy Edsall. "I still want as much time as possible to evaluate our depth before having to narrow down to a possible two-deep. These next few days will be critical in the evaluation process."
While the coaches continue to evaluate each day during camp, the players are balancing competition with their teammates while also building a brotherhood that will carry the Huskies throughout the 2018 campaign.
"Everybody is out here working hard and competing as a unit and a brotherhood," said redshirt junior defensive lineman Kevin Murphy. "The more we push each other, the better we are going to become when the season gets here. We are excited to see what the result is."
The Huskies have experienced a setback that will clearly have a ripple effect at the running back position. Redshirt junior Donevin O'Reilly, who had worked his way from a walk-on to a scholarship to the top of the two-deep chart, tore his ACL on Monday and will be out for the season. While obviously a stunning blow for the Blue and White, it's also an opportunity for others to fill an important role.
"Donevin was really the No. 1 tailback," said Edsall. "To see him go down after all the hard work he had put in and worked hard to get a scholarship, it is tough. Now everybody else is going to have to step up and be ready to play."
"It's a great environment," said sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Van Demark. "The new freshman are coming in wanting to play and the guys that have been here want to hold onto their spots. It makes for great competition, which will make us better."
There's little doubt that everyone is excited to fast forward to the start of college football season, but for the each of the UConn Huskies, there two critical weeks remaining before August 30 arrives.
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However, for the UConn players and coaches, the full focus isn't on the Knights, but instead on the competitions and battles going on within the heart of preseason camp. With two weeks to go, there are jobs to be won, roles to be filled and a bond to be formed during the grueling summer practices under the sun.
"We are at the point in camp where the evaluation period is almost over," said UConn head coach Randy Edsall. "I still want as much time as possible to evaluate our depth before having to narrow down to a possible two-deep. These next few days will be critical in the evaluation process."
While the coaches continue to evaluate each day during camp, the players are balancing competition with their teammates while also building a brotherhood that will carry the Huskies throughout the 2018 campaign.
"Everybody is out here working hard and competing as a unit and a brotherhood," said redshirt junior defensive lineman Kevin Murphy. "The more we push each other, the better we are going to become when the season gets here. We are excited to see what the result is."
The Huskies have experienced a setback that will clearly have a ripple effect at the running back position. Redshirt junior Donevin O'Reilly, who had worked his way from a walk-on to a scholarship to the top of the two-deep chart, tore his ACL on Monday and will be out for the season. While obviously a stunning blow for the Blue and White, it's also an opportunity for others to fill an important role.
"Donevin was really the No. 1 tailback," said Edsall. "To see him go down after all the hard work he had put in and worked hard to get a scholarship, it is tough. Now everybody else is going to have to step up and be ready to play."
"It's a great environment," said sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Van Demark. "The new freshman are coming in wanting to play and the guys that have been here want to hold onto their spots. It makes for great competition, which will make us better."
There's little doubt that everyone is excited to fast forward to the start of college football season, but for the each of the UConn Huskies, there two critical weeks remaining before August 30 arrives.
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Players Mentioned
UConn Football Meet the Coaches Event
Wednesday, February 25
Jason Candle Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 08
Husky Recap | UConn vs. FAU
Wednesday, November 26
Husky ReConn FAU Postgame
Monday, November 24
