UConn seeks to find some confidence, success at Memphis
UConn is battling more than a superior opponent most weeks.
The Huskies also are fighting off frustration and self-doubt that comes with losing.
Take what transpired in the second half of last Saturday's humbling loss to Cincinnati. Their energy level dipped in the second half. They looked defeated.
It's something they're aware needs to be avoided on Saturday at Memphis against the Tigers in an American Athletic Conference game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (7 p.m.,
CBSSN).
"You could tell dudes were getting a little frustrated," said senior Aaron McLean of his team's second half play. "You could see some penalties that happened after the whistle and stuff like that. Dudes were getting frustrated because, obviously, no one likes losing. I think it was important for us this week to reel it in and realize we can turn this thing around. We've just got to work hard."
Right now, a realistic step in the right direction for the Huskies (1-4, 0-2) is to be more competitive. Their average margin of defeat in the four losses is 41.5 points. They've led only once in those games, scoring a touchdown on the game's opening possession against Cincinnati.
The constant uphill climb can be discouraging and difficult to deal with, especially for an underclassmen-dominated team.
"That's the challenge in terms of coaching, is you've got to correct them but then you've got to keep them where they don't get discouraged in themselves and don't lose confidence in themselves," coach Randy Edsall said. "And that's hard. That's part of the process that we're going through right now."
The Huskies are focusing on correcting their mistakes each week and putting the previous performance in the rear-view mirror.
Senior linebacker Santana Sterling says the team's attitude remains positive.
"Of course, you have to," Sterling said. "It's a grind every day. It's a 12-week season. So if you start putting your head down now, the season gets way longer. You've just got to come out and have fun every day and give it your all and just push yourselves every day because you only get a limited amount of opportunities."
Sterling is doing his part to try to motivate his teammates during practice.
On Tuesday, he promised to buy each member of the scout team a milkshake if they scored three touchdowns on the defense. He never had to reach for his wallet.
"It's an incentive for them and makes them go hard," Sterling said. "And, in turn, it will make us go harder. And it will help us against Memphis who has a great offense and great running back."
The tough schedule is a factor in UConn's lopsided results. Its first five opponents are a combined 19-3. Saturday will mark the first time that UConn plays a team with a loss. Memphis (3-2, 0-2) dropped conference games at Navy (2221) and at Tulane (40-24).
Last year's meeting was memorable for all the wrong reasons as UConn allowed a whopping 70 points at Rentschler Field.
The Tigers set a program record with eight touchdown passes.
"I definitely remember that game," McLean said. "That was a rough one. We're definitely going to have that in back of our heads going into this one . ... If we keep that in our minds, we should be ready to go."
While the Tigers have some defensive flaws, they're still a lethal offensive team, averaging 44.4 points and 529.8 yards per game. Quarterback Brady White has an impressive 14-to-1 touchdown pass to interception ratio and thrown for 1,310 yards. He leads the league in passing efficiency.
Running back Darrell Henderson powers the attack, ranking second nationally with 152 yards per game, and also has 11 touchdowns. He averages a FBS leading 11.69 yards per carry.
Perhaps the best chance for UConn to slow down Memphis is to hold on to the football for as long as possible. That might be difficult considering quarterback David Pindell is a bit banged up.
That approach worked for Navy, which limited Memphis to a season-low 21 points on Sept. 8.
"If you can keep their offense off the field, it helps you," Edsall said. "(Henderson) is a very, very talented running back. You can't give him those creases. You've got to be really disciplined . ... and you've got to do a good job of tackling because he's really powerful as well."
Following the game, UConn will enter a bye week, returning to action on Oct. 20 with a road trip to South Florida. The coaching staff will be on the road recruiting. g.keefe@theday.com