Keating injects energy, enthusiasm to UConn football team

Storrs — Brian Keating proudly wears his love for UConn in his heart and on his chest.

And sometimes he displays his passion on his face.

Keating had his face painted blue to watch UConn play Oklahoma on television in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl. He also wore a Jordan Todman shirt. "I bleed blue," Keating said. Now a freshman at UConn, Keating's already had more pinch-me moments than he can count.

"Just having the opportunity to play for UConn and represent this great state and all the people that live in this state is incredible," Keating said on Tuesday. "It's just a dream come true every day . ... I love it up here. It's the perfect place."

Keating, who joined the program as a preferred walk-on, oozes enthusiasm.

Think of the movie, Rudy, about a kid who lived for Notre Dame football. Keating is UConn's version, except he's getting a chance to regularly contribute as a long snapper.

Growing up in Darien, Keating was a huge UConn fan. He had loads of UConn apparel and attended both football and men's basketball games.

While playing for his hometown high school football powerhouse, Keating learned the skills of a long snapper from his father. He saw the position as a way to play at the college level.

"I took that and I ran with it," Keating said.

When looking at potential colleges, Keating had UConn at the top of his list even though a scholarship was out of reach.

"Coming to UConn was like a scholarship to me," Keating said.

Since his arrival in Storrs, Keating has impressed the coaching staff enough to move up the ladder on the depth chart. The starting spot opened up when sophomore Nick Zecchino returned home to New Jersey due to some health issues. He's unlikely to

“(Brian Keating) is so passionate about UConn and UConn football . ... It's a neat thing when you see a guy like that. He's done a good job. He has a lot of enthusiasm out there and works at it.” RANDY EDSALL, UCONN FOOTBALL COACH

return to the team.

Keating will be called upon again for Saturday's road game at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

"Brian Keating has done a really good job and he's taken advantage of the opportunity," coach Randy Edsall said. "I'll tell you this: You won't find a kid that bleeds blue more than that kid. That kid has been a UConn guy. He showed me pictures of when he came to games when The Rent first opened.

"... This guy is so passionate about UConn and UConn football . ... It's a neat thing when you see a guy like that. He's done a good job. He has a lot of enthusiasm out there and works at it."

After serving as a backup in the season opener, Keating was informed that he would start for the first time on Sept. 16 at Virginia.

Before leaving for the road trip to Charlottesville, Keating called his family to tell them the good news. His parents made the eight hour drive to the game.

"They were so happy and so proud just because we're a UConn family," Keating said. "My dad brought me up with UConn, so it was great having them watch me play"

Keating's first home game on Sunday at Rentschler Field was a thrill, to say the least. He played 10 snaps in the heart-breaking 41-38 loss to East Carolina.

"This week was definitely awesome...," Keating said. "I've been dreaming at night ever since I was a kid to be able to play on that field. To finally get 10 snaps on that field was incredible."

Keating is contributing in other ways beside his job as long snapper. He brings energy and enthusiasm to every practice.

He also working on being a leader despite his inexperience.

"I try and bring that energy every day to encourage everyone," Keating said. "I'm not just playing for my teammates or the seniors, I'm playing for everyone in the state because this state deserves to have a great football team. With coach Edsall back, the only direction that we're going to be going is up."

News and notes

• The Huskies are dealing with some injuries. Starting center Ryan Crozier will have surgery Friday to repair a torn ACL and MCL. He's done for the season. Redshirt junior Dan Oak is listed as starter for Saturday's game. Starting wide receiver Hergy Mayala is out four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain, so redshirt freshman Mason Donaldson takes over there. Backup defensive end James Atkins is expected to be out with a calf injury for four to six weeks. Kick returner Jordan Swann (concussion) also will miss Saturday's game, with junior transfer Kyle Buss filling in there . ... Edsall made some changes on the depth chart, including replacing redshirt senior Tre Bell with redshirt freshman Tahj Herring-Wilson at defensive back. "I felt that he deserved the opportunity to start based on what we've seen from some other people in the first few games." ... Freshman Ryan Van Demark has replaced Tommy Hopkins as starter at offensive tackle. "His upside is really high," Edsall said . ... Senior Brice McAllister returns to a starting position at defensive back. He was a backup the last two games after starting the season opener against Holy Cross. g.keefe@theday.com