UConn Football Looks To Continue Their Success

The Huskies are back at it again.  This summer they've picked up the intensity level, and with new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead the Huskies should be even more exciting to watch this season.  Zach Fraser will be under center on offense and linebacker Scott Lutrus will be leading the defense this season.

UConn is a team in the Big East that has now been to two straight bowl games.  They have played well against other Big East opponents and have become a team that you certainly don't want to take lightly. 

With the loss of All-American running back Donald Brown in the backfield, and Will Beautty on the offensive line, the Huskies are going to be forced to find production elsewhere.  A combination of Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman could be that one-two punch that is delivered to opposing defenses week in and week out.

On the other side of the ball two big losses came from the outside with do-it-all Darius Butler and DE Cody Brown. Now with the Patriots, Butler defended as a cornerback, ran back kicks, and even played a little time at wideout.  Cody Brown was also a force at the defensive end position that will need to be replaced with a quick, strong pass rusher.

The core linebacker unit of Lutrus, Lloyd, and Wilson will be the big three stoppers on defense. The Huskies also return Jasper Howard and Robert Vaughn in the secondary. These two both saw playing time last season and will be mentors to the younger players.

Zach Fraser's right arm will be put to work early on in the season.  With new coordinator Joe Moorhead installing a new offense with various routes and pass plays, this team could be exciting to watch get up and down the field. It's all about balance in the rush and passing attack. 

After being one-dimensional last year with a passing game that ranked among the worst in the nation, Moorhead has a plan to drastically turnaround those numbers.  It all starts with the guys catching the ball out there.

The two leaders at the wide receiver position are Brad Kunich and Kashif Moore. Both players have showed glimpses of success, but neither has yet to stand out among them all. Keep your eye on a freshman wideout by the name of Dwayne Dwifton.  A four-star recruit out of Florida, Dwifton has the potential to make an immediate impact if he can adjust right to the college level.  That's exactly what the Huskies need: a playmaker catching the ball.

Randy Edsall has been the head coach for 10 years now.  He's taken this program to levels that many thought would take twice as long, if not longer. The way he uses the talent he recruits and develops players is a true testiment to his work ethic and coaching ability.

The big game to circle early on this season's schedule is Uconn's home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12th when the North Carolina Tar Heels come to The Rent.  UConn is an even tougher team at home, and there's nothing like playing a nationally ranked team on your home turf early on in the season.

How the Huskies play in this game should give a pretty good indication what the outlook is for the rest of the season.  The Big East better watch out, UConn is hungry to get the respect they deserve.