The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Family pride
Clemson’s Taisun Phommachanh proud of his brother Tyler at UConn
In two weeks, Tyler Phommachanh has endeared himself to fans and UConn teammates while producing at a level that’s making observers forget he’s only a freshman.
So while the losing continues, the Huskies are finally at a point where there’s reason for optimism.
They’ve found a quarterback — from their own backyard, no less — to rally around, one capable of making plays and injecting life into a listless offense.
This is no surprise to his older brother Taisun, a sophomore quarterback at Clemson.
“That’s just who he is. He always just had that natural kind of leadership about him ever since we were kids,” Taisun said. “He doesn’t try to be somebody he’s not. He’s just going to go out there and be himself, be that spark, be that live-energy teammate
that he is.”
At least for the time being, Tyler’s rapid emergence has changed the conversation around the downtrodden program. The 5foot-11 dual-threat from Stratford showed promise against Army and Wyoming, and has unquestionably grabbed hold of the starting job.
He’ll be back under center Saturday (7:30 p.m.) in Nashville when the Huskies visit Vanderbilt, looking for just their second win in 32 games against FBS opponents.
If you’re shocked by how quickly he’s asserted himself, well, you shouldn’t be.
“That’s what he does,” Taisun said. “He’s elusive, he’s fast, he’s strong. He can make plays with his feet.”
Tyler doesn’t want to compare himself to his brother, or his father, Sam, who was a star quarterback at Harding High School in Bridgeport in the late 1980s, but he credits them for some of his success.
Taisun, who started ahead of Tyler during his senior year at Avon Old Farms, said they’re always talking Xs and Os and diagramming plays, whether they’re back in Connecticut together or apart.
“We definitely get on the phone,” Tyler said. “We talk a lot about things he sees, about things I see. He gives me good information on things I need to learn and build on.”
Taisun, a former four-star recruit, has played sparingly since arriving at Clemson, mostly in garbage time, or in the case of this season, certain packages behind starter D.J. Uiagalelei. He’s completed 7 of 10 passes for 75 yards with one touchdown and one interception this season for the 25th-ranked Tigers after returning just four months from a torn Achilles tendon.
Still, some experience is better than none. Now, as his brother follows the same path, he’s lending him advice.
“He just told me to be calm, be yourself, stay positive, keep the guys up,” Tyler said. “Just stay calm and do what you do.
“These guys are flying around, they’re coming off the hashes, they’re hitting way harder, everything. He just told me to be smart, take what the defense gives you, and everyone’s moving at the same speed so be careful.”
Tyler completed 11 of 26 passes for 109 yards and ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns in his first start, with both scores coming against Army’s second-string defense.
He was more productive through the air the next week against Wyoming, throwing for 171 yards and a touchdown on 19 of 39 attempts as the Huskies, 30.5-point underdogs, narrowly missed pulling off a major upset.
When asked about being more comfortable in his role, Tyler suggested the game has slowed down for him.
“The last game, I was telling (quarterbacks coach Mike Moyseenko), ‘This is the most chill I’ve ever felt in a game.’ It was so weird,” Tyler said. “I’ve never been that chill. I just felt comfortable.”
Said Taisun, “He’s just going out there having fun. I love watching him play.”
Taisun might even get to play against him later this season. UConn is at Clemson Nov. 13.
“That’s one for the ages,” Taisun said, laughing. “It’s not too many times that you get to play against your brother in college. Just to be on the same field as him is truly a blessing.”