Five takeaways from victory over URI

Here are some thoughts on UConn’s 56-49 win over Rhode Island:

Lighting it up: After being bottled up in a loss at Boise State, David Pindell responded with four touchdown passes and a pair of scoring runs to become the first UConn player in the last 40 years to account for six touchdowns in a game. His 979 yards of total offense through the first three games of the season is the most for a Husky since Cornelius Benton had 1,040 in 1991. Pindell, Kevin Mensah and Hergy Mayala each had two touchdowns, marking the first time UConn had a trio with multiple TDs since Mark Didio, Mark Chapman and Kevin Wesley accomplished the feat in the 1990 season finale against URI.

Still searching: It would be easy to attribute some of the defensive lapses in the first two games to being overmatched by UCF and Boise State teams bursting with NFL offensive prospects. However, giving up 550 yards and five touchdown scoring drives of at least 70 yards against an FCS program with 16 consecutive losing seasons is more than just troubling, it’s downright frightening. UConn coach Randy Edsall said his team has to get stronger to avoid bouncing off ball carriers and they also looked a step slow at times. If that’s the case against URI, what will happen in the coming weeks as UConn’s next four opponents are a combined 11-1 and averaging nearly 43 points per game?

Feeling the pain: No FBS team has started more players on defense this season than UConn’s 21. Just 10 of them had previous playing time at UConn coming into the season and two of them could be sidelined as cornerback Tahj Herring-Wilson, one of two players to start every game this season, and safety/linebacker Marshe’ Terry were knocked out of URI game with ankle injuries.

Opening the door: The number of true freshmen playing for UConn has been rather well documented, especially on defense where eight of them have drawn starting assignments. A

couple of first-year Huskies are making a bid for more playing time after Saturday. Receiver Heron Maurisseau caught a 74-yard touchdown pass while Messiah Turner, who drew significant praise from Edsall after the game, was one of the deep safeties for the final couple of plays.

Getting to the QB: Darrian Beavers’ move from linebacker to defensive end received plenty of attention during the week but it was Eli Thomas, playing defensive end in the final drive, who made the biggest impact. He not only had the game-ending sack but narrowly missed two others as

he teamed with James Atkins, Beavers and Jonathan Pace to provide the most sustained pass rush of the season for UConn.

Jessica Hill / Associated Press UConn quarterback David Pindell become the first Husky in the last 40 years to account for six touchdowns in a game on Saturday.