New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
UConn gets thumped
EAST HARTFORD — UConn football’s fortunes aren’t likely to turn around anytime soon — at least not before this ugly season is mercifully put to rest.
While beating
Yale provided the too-often-overmatched Huskies some momentary satisfaction, the same problems remain.
The Huskies aren’t good enough to overcome self-inflicted wounds like penalties and turnovers. Rather, they’re not good enough, period.
The latest reminder came Friday before an announced crowd of 10,698 at Rentschler Field, where UConn was thumped 44-13 by Middle Tennessee, dropping to
1-8.
It came on the heels of a 21-15 victory over Yale, the Huskies’ first win in 721 days.
“We were feeling the momentum (after defeating Yale) and
everybody went out there just looking to get the
‘dub,’ ” left tackle Ryan Van Demark said. “We came up short.”
Chase Cunningham (25of-36) shredded the UConn defense, passing for 297 yards and four scores in a shade over three quarters. The Blue Raiders (3-4) also ran for 155 yards and finished with 473 yards of total offense.
“He’s a really good college quarterback,” Spanos said. “He had all-purpose yards, kept drives alive, did some stuff with his legs and also was throwing the ball. He’s a really good player.”
The night began inauspiciously for UConn when wide receiver Aaron Turner lost a fumble at the Huskies’ 33 in the first quarter, one of three turnovers. MTSU converted that into a 20-yard field goal for the game’s first points. The Blue Raiders then extended their lead to 10-0 with a 14-yard touchdown catch by Jimmy Marshall on their next drive.
The Huskies responded — and did so rather quickly — with Steven Krajewski’s 8-yard scoring strike to tight end Brandon Niemenski early in the second quarter, then tied it 10-10 on a 47-yard field goal by Joe McFadden.
Izaiah Gathings reclaimed the lead for MTSU, 17-10, on a 25-yard catch, and things continued to spiral from there for the Huskies. It marked the first
of six straight scoring drives, only one lasting longer than 4:36, that turned a see-saw affair into a laugher.
Marshall’s second touchdown grab went for 18 yards late in the second quarter, and MTSU proceeded to outscore UConn 20-0 in the second half.
“We (allowed) explosive plays,” Spanos said. “We have to be collectively better at squeezing the pocket. We also had too many penalties (eight for 75 yards).”
Krajewski completed 21 of 37 passes for 237 yards, but also threw for two interceptions. Keelan Marion had a team-high 74 yards receiving, 57 of which came on one play that helped set up McFadden’s 21-yard field goal before halftime.
The Huskies will have plenty of time to regroup — they have the next two weeks off — although it won’t get any easier from here. Only tougher. Their final three games are a gauntlet: Nov. 13 at Clemson, Nov. 20 at UCF, Nov. 27 at home against Houston.
“It hurts to know what we talked about (as a team) could be better,” Spanos said. “They want to do better, and they’re looking forward over these next two weeks to get right for our next opponent.”
Van Demark, a senior captain, echoed Spanos’ sentiments.
“We’re just going to get better as a team, as a unit,” Van Demark said. “We’re going to watch some film on the next three teams we’ve got, watch some NFL film. Get better — that’s all we’ve got to do.”