The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
UCONN FOOTBALL GAMEDAY
UConn at No. 21 South Florida
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. Records: UConn 1-5 (0-3 American Athletic Conference); South Florida 6-0 (2-0)
TV: CBSSN
Radio: 97.9 ESPN, WICC-600, WINE-940, WXLM-980, WAVZ-1300; WILI-1400 (simulcast on 95.3 FM), WATR-1490
THINGS TO WATCH
1. Playing with heavy hearts: UConn’s bye week was anything but restful, especially for the members of the defense who were dealing with the news that linebacker Eli Thomas suffered a stroke. Fellow linebacker Santana Sterling, who has been named the defensive team captain for the game, will wear Thomas’ No. 22 and Eddie Hahn said that the linebacking group will have extra motivation playing for one of the defensive team leaders.
2. Running uphill: UConn is the lone Football Bowl Subdivision team to surrender points on the opening drive in every game this season giving up five touchdowns and a field goal. That is a major reason why the Huskies allow a staggering 384.3 yards and 31.6 points per game in the first two quarters. If the second-half numbers were disregarded, the Huskies would still rank 68th in total defense and 97th in scoring defense among 130 FBS teams. The Huskies have given up 11.1 yards per passing attempt and 9.5 yards per rush in the first half. Those numbers are not only the worst in the nation this season, but also the worst for any FBS team dating back to 2008. The hope is that the defense can do enough to hang around in games in the second half of the season after trailing by at least 14 points at halftime in every game against FBS competition this season. The good news is that UConn could have cornerback Tahj Wilson-Herring, safety/linebacker Marshe’ Terry and defensive linemen Ryan Fines back this week.
3. Bullish backfield: South Florida lost its top three rushers from a season ago. While Quinton Flowers, Darius Rice and D’Ernest Johnson combined for more than 700 rushing yards against the Huskies, there are still plenty of running options for the Bulls. Tailback Jordan Cronkrite has four straight 100yard rushing games, and finished with 302 yards against UMass. UConn defensive coordinator Billy Crocker said that the 207-pound Cronkrite runs angry. Quarterback Blake Barnett doesn’t run as often as Flowers did but does have six rushing touchdowns.