The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Physical Eagles offer unique challenge to Huskies
STORRS — Two previous matchups this season against Power 5 conference teams did not exactly go well for a UConn team starting three underclassmen on its offensive line.
Virginia and Missouri, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference, got into the backfield often enough to record 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks as they pushed the Huskies around. The scary aspect of Saturday’s game at Fenway Park against Boston College (7 p.m., CBSSN) is that UConn coach Randy Edsall told his team that the ACC foe will be the most physical team the Huskies will face this season.
Much of the physicality will be delivered by a pair of Connecticut natives. New London’s A. J. Dillon is a bruising 240-pound true freshman running back who ran for 272 yards against Louisville and 196 the last time out against nationally ranked NC State. New Canaan’s Zach Allen is a junior defensive lineman who has a team-high 10 tackles for loss and is second on the Eagles with 78 stops.
Most of the teams on UConn’s schedule have preferred to spread the field and throw the ball early and often. However, it would be a bit of a surprise if that was BC’s strategy.
“He (Boston College coach Steve Addazio) is a hard-nosed run-the-ball guy, (he’ll) get after you, and his teams play to his personality,” Edsall said.
“It will be a little different in terms of what we’re used to. They still spread people out but they’re not a team that throws it 50 times a
game. Steve would rather run it 80 times a game, I think.”
Despite losing to the Eagles 30-0 last season, the UConn defense held up pretty well, giving up 337 yards of total offense. The offense, however, was a hot mess, failing to pick up at least 10 yards in eight of the 11 drives.
“Games are won and lost in the trenches; they are very physical,” UConn sophomore left tackle Matt Peart said. “Coach (Edsall) is putting pressure on us saying they’re a physical team, we have to show we’re physical too.
“Their defensive line is considered to be one of the toughest so you know that they’re stout up front and you have to get movement.”
Edsall has seen Dillon bowl over would-be tacklers and said, “You tackle him high, you’re going to get carried for a ride.”
UConn has given up the most passing yards per game in the nation at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. However, instead of chasing receivers all over the field, there could be a chance for the Huskies’ veteran defensive linemen and linebackers to get a little nasty against Boston College’s running offense.
“It’s great having a game when you know you can make an impact. It’s a game you’re waiting for, with them running the ball and just being physical,” said senior linebacker Junior Joseph, who needs four tackles to become the 15th UConn player with 300 career stops. “Pretty much they tell you, ‘We’re running it here, and let’s see if you can stop us or not.’ They aren’t keeping any secrets. They’re going to try to out-physical the opponent, so you just have to be physical to have a chance. They have a talented running back in A. J. Dillon so it’ll be a fun game.”