Plenty of positives to be found in younger Huskies
EAST HARTFORD — If there was one overriding positive for UConn football in a 31-24 loss to East Carolina on Saturday, it was this: Many of the best players on the field were true freshman.
Freshman quarterback Jack Zergiotis committed three turnovers but also completed 21 of 37 passes for 418 yards (third most in a game in school history) and three touchdowns. Freshman receiver Cam Ross caught eight passes for 169 yards and two scores. Fellow freshman receiver Matt Drayton grabbed three passes for 99 yards, including several key plays late. And freshman linebacker Jackson Mitchell led both teams with 15 tackles.
Early in the fourth quarter, Zergiotis and Ross combined for the play of the game, a 94-yard game-tying catch-and-run that went down as the second-longest touchdown in UConn history.
“The play was originally an option play that we run a lot,” Ross said, “Then we said if it was going to be zero coverage (no deep defenders) then just go right past him, just go straight up the middle of the field.”
That play was one of many big gains Zergiotis accounted for Saturday, particularly during the second half. He competed nine passes of at least 20 yards, including three to Drayton and two to Ross.
Though Zergiotis fumbled in the first half and threw two interceptions (one just before halftime and the other on UConn’s final drive), Edsall praised him for “competing,” and offensive lineman Matt Peart called his performance “phenomenal.”
“Yeah, he made some mistakes, but that kid is definitely a true talent,” Peart said. “It’s just a testament to his work ethic like that. And Cam, he’s just an overall dog no matter what. The future is definitely bright looking at the cast
that we’re gonna have.”
Seniors honored
Before Saturday’s Senior Day ceremonies, Peart had a message for his mom: “I told my mom a hundred times, you better not cry,” he said. “Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Peart’s mom held her tears, but the fifth-year senior admitted to some emotions as he celebrated an impressive UConn career.
“It was awesome walking out there, being honored that way,” Peart said. “It didn’t really hit me until after the ceremony, when I was like ‘Yo, five years.’ And especially I came off the field I was like, ‘I’m not really stepping on this field ever again.’ It still hasn’t truly, truly hit me. I’m doing my best to keep my composure now.”
UConn honored 15 seniors in total, including standouts such as Peart, fellow offensive lineman Nino Leone and Cam DeGeorge and running back Art Thompkins.
All 15 players were called onto the field before the game, where they greeted waiting family members.
Wave of injuries
UConn suffered a wave of injuries Saturday, with at least seven players getting hurt, according to Edsall: cornerbacks Myles Bell (ACL, surgery next week), Tahj Herring-Wilson (head) and Jeremy Lucien (head); safties Tyler Coyle (shoulder) and Harrell (clavicle); running back Art Thompkins (knee) and linebacker Terrance Ganyi (ankle).
In better injury news, tight end Donovan Williams played for the first time since September and pulled down a difficult 23-yard catch along the sideline on UConn’s final drive. … Redshirt freshman Dylan Niedrowski played at left guard Saturday in place of DeGeorge, the usual starter, while sophomore Stanley Hubbard replaced Leone at center midway through the game.