Coyle Plays, Others Sidelined
Injuries Plague Defense; Pindell Hurt In 4th
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — When Tyler Coyle arrived at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, coaches weren’t sure he was going to play. But after going through pregame drills, the UConn safety said he felt all right, so he entered the game on the second series and wound up playing significant snaps in a 51-21 Huskies loss to Syracuse.
Coach Randy Edsall said Coyle barely practiced Wednesday and Thursday after suffering a lowerbody injury in Tuesday’s practice but rallied in time for kickoff Saturday.
“It shows the young guys that I’m going to lay everything on the line for them,” Coyle said.
While Coyle was able to overcome his injury, several UConn defenders with more serious ailments missed the game against the Orange. Edsall declined to provide an update on either cornerback Tahj Herring-Wilson or linebacker Marshe Terry, both of whom hurt their ankles last week against Rhode Island, except to say they did not travel with the team.
Edsall also declined comment on linebacker Eli Thomas, who appeared on the sideline in street clothes during the second half Saturday, after playing on special teams early in the game.
Quarterback David Pindell left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury but said he felt fine and would ice the injury during the week.
“Before halftime the D-end put his helmet in and hit my bone, so it just stings a little bit,” he said.
Other Huskies who went down during Saturday’s game (whether due to cramps, exhaustion or a desire to slow down the Orange offense) all returned to the game promptly.
As expected, sophomore safety Omar Fortt played Saturday after missing last week’s game with a concussion.
More Youth In Secondary
After being buried on the depth chart early in the season, freshman cornerback Shamel Lazarus started Saturday in place of Herring-Wilson and performed well, breaking up several passes.
“He had a great day from what I saw today,” Coyle said of Lazarus.
Lazarus became the fourth true freshman to start at cornerback for the Huskies this season, as Edsall continues to test different players. Fellow freshman Jeremy Lucien also got the nod at cornerback Saturday, after debuting last week against Rhode Island. Keyshawn Paul and Ryan Carroll, who started at corner early in the season, played sparingly Saturday.
“Our rotation is ever-changing because if guys aren’t doing certain things in practice, we’re not going to hesitate to put people in and see what they can do,” Edsall said.
Though UConn gave up 295 passing yards Saturday, the Huskies mostly avoided the big plays that had plagued them the first three weeks of the season. Edsall said that was in part because the unit wasn’t truly tested, but Coyle said he viewed the performance as progress. line. Right tackle Matt Peart committed two false starts, and the Huskies gave up six sacks. Even when Pindell wasn’t dragged to the ground, he was often forced to throw the ball away under pressure.
UConn also turned over the ball three times, twice on fumbles and once on a late-game interception.
“There are things I thought we made strides on, but we’ve got to become a more consistent football team,” Edsall said.
Pindell credited Syracuse’s pass rush for keeping him under pressure and pointed to the Huskies’ poor third-down conversion rate (3-of-14) as their primary issue on offense.
“They had some really good defensive ends, and you’ve got to respect that,” he said. “Other than that, we’ve just go to clean up on third downs.”
The Huskies’ first score came late in the first quarter when Pindell burst through the Syracuse
“I feel like we’re coming along,” Coyle said of UConn’s secondary. “That’s exactly what coach (Bill) Crocker said: We’re taking strides. We still need to get better, but we’re coming along.”
Another Appearance For The Block-C
For the third time in four games this year, UConn donned its block-C helmets. This time, the Huskies paired them with white jerseys and blue pants that evoked the program’s late-2000s glory days. UConn has said it will line and outran the defense 75 yards to the end zone. UConn scored again minutes later on a 2-yard Pindell pass to running back Zavier Scott, which capped a nine-play, 84-yard drive. After that, the team’s attack was silent until the fourth quarter, when freshman backup quarterback Marvin Washington hurled a beautifully placed 26-yard touchdown pass on his very first attempt for the Huskies’ final score.
Pindell passed for 151 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 113 yards and a score, marking his third game this season of 100 yards or more both through the air and on the ground. Washington, who entered the game after Pindell suffered a minor injury, followed his first career touchdown pass with several shaky drives, two of which ended in turnovers.
Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey finished the game 21-of-27 for 286 yards and two touch- wear the block-C in half of its 12 games. … At halftime Saturday, Syracuse retired the number of former running back Joe Morris, the program’s all-time leading rusher. On Tuesday, Edsall (a Syracuse alum) called Morris “unbelievable,” praising his attitude and work ethic. … With Saturday’s win, Syracuse improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1991. … UConn still leads its all-time series against the Orange 6-5, though Syracuse has now won three straight over the Huskies.
“There are things I thought we made strides on, but we’ve got to become a more consistent football team.”
Randy Edsall
downs, with 77 yards and three more scores on the ground. Running back Moe Riley rushed 13 times for 116 yards, and caught six passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
UConn played Saturday without starting cornerback Tahj Herring-Wilson and linebacker Marshe Terry, both of whom suffered ankle injuries last week against Rhode Island. Additionally, linebacker Eli Thomas watched the second half in street clothes due to an apparent injury.
The Huskies will next take on Cincinnati next Saturday at Rentschler Field. The Bearcats are 4-0 this season after sneaking by Ohio on Saturday.
Despite all the negatives against Syracuse — missed tackles, failed third-down attempts, costly turnovers — UConn players seemed to view their performance as a step forward as they head into conference play.
“We’re getting better,” Hahn said. “I think it’s clear out there on the field that we’re going to win games. It might not be next year, it might not be the week after that, but things are going to get turned around here, and we’re going to start winning games.”