University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
United States Naval Academy
Huskies Look To Build Off Win
10/29/2019 3:18:00 PM | Football
By Danny Barletta
On Saturday, the UConn football team picked up a convincing 56-35 win over UMass. The victory snapped a losing streak and gave the team some confidence for what is next.Â
The competition elevates this week as the Huskies will host Navy for a Friday night game in East Hartford. The Midshipmen are 6-1 and are coming off a win over a solid Tulane team that gave UConn fits earlier this season.
Head coach Randy Edsall called this Navy team "outstanding" and said it is one of the best Navy teams he has ever gone up against. It will be a challenge for the Huskies, but last week's big win certainly gives the team some confidence.\
"It just shows that we can really be a good team," said running back Kevin Mensah, who rushed for an astounding five touchdowns on Saturday. "We really went out and showed what our ability is, so having that momentum and having that win going into Friday is going to be amazing."
Quarterback Jack Zergiotis said the win puts the team in a better place than it has been and they're all excited for the next challenge.
"The guys are up right now and we feel good," Zergiotis said. "We're feeling good going into Friday. It's a Friday night game at the Rent. You couldn't ask for more. I'm just hoping we can go out and execute."
Mensah and Zergiotis both said that after the win over UMass to snap the six-game losing streak, it felt like a weight was lifted off the team. Linebacker Ian Swenson described it as a "huge morale boost."
Edsall said that it was important for the players to get a win because it validates all the hard work they have put in this season.
"I'm happy for the kids that we got a win for them because when you're working and you're putting all that time in, sometimes subconsciously you might start to think, 'Jeez, I'm working so hard and nothing's happening,'" Edsall said. "So it's always good to be able to get a win because it kind of validates the work that you're putting in and then you can start to hopefully get some confidence from it."
However, Edsall said just because a team gains confidence doesn't mean there isn't more work to do.
"You still gotta go out and play the game," Edsall said. "You can't say all of a sudden we won, we've got all this confidence and not go out and prepare and do the things you gotta do. You still gotta go out and play and execute at a very high level. When you win, you've earned that right to have some confidence, but again that was last week. This is this week."\
Offensive lineman and captain Matt Peart agreed that it is all about execution each week, regardless of the opponent.
"Coming off a win like that, it's just something that we're trying to build off of," Peart said. "It's just understanding that if we run what we have to run effectively and everyone is on the same page, we'll be able to move the ball. So just keeping that same mentality and keeping that same energy is something we need to try to focus on."
It was important for the team to get a win ahead of such a tough opponent like Navy, especially on a short week. Ideally, Edsall said he would like a bye week ahead of a team like that because it would give more time to prepare for their unique style of offense. Edsall said he has tremendous respect for Navy's program and is ready for a competitive game on Friday night.
"It's an honor and privilege to be able to play those guys because of my respect for who they are and what they stand for," Edsall said. "You know this: every time you play a Navy team, you're going to have to be at your best in order to beat them."
