EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth of eight team previews that will be launched this week on BIGEAST.org. The order of release will coincide with the order of this year's preseason poll.
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STORYLINES
Connecticut returns 17 starters from a team that won its last four games of the 2009 season.
Connecticut’s five losses were by a combined 15 points last season. The Huskies held fourth-quarter leads in four of the five losses.
The three teams that finished higher than Connecticut in the BIG EAST standings last season all visit Rentschler Field in 2010.
Connecticut has made three straight bowl game appearances and has won its last two bowl games.
Head coach Randy Edsall enters the 2010 season tied for Connecticut’s all-time lead in head coaching wins (66).
OFFENSE
Connecticut returns two quarterbacks with significant starting experience in Zach Frazer and Cody Endres. Frazer started seven games last year, while Endres started six as both quarterbacks missed time due to injuries.
RB Jordan Todman ran for 14 touchdowns and had five 100-yard games last season despite splitting the carries with Andre Dixon. Todman ranked third in the BIG EAST in rushing.
All-BIG EAST First Team OG Zach Hurd anchors an offensive line that returns four of its five starters from last year.
Hurd and C Moe Petrus have made 26 career starts each.
DEFENSE
Connecticut returns all three starters at linebacker from last season, though Greg Lloyd will move to defensive end for 2010.
LB Lawrence Wilson led the BIG EAST in tackles last season (10.8 tpg).
DE Lindsey Witten was the BIG EAST leader in sacks (11.5) and sacks per game (0.88) last season.
DE Jesse Joseph started all 13 games as a true freshman last year. Joseph was the first non-punter to start as a true freshman for Connecticut since the 2002 season.
The Connecticut secondary will look to replace the production of Robert McClain and Robert Vaughn, who combined for nine of the Huskies’ 12 interceptions last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Dave Teggart, who hit the game-winning field goal against USF in the regular-season finale, was 47-for-47 on PATs last season.
RB Robbie Frey averaged 29.5 yards on kickoff returns last year, including a 100-yard touchdown return against Rutgers, before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
| From the BIG EAST Newsstand |
"When UConn athletic director Lew Perkins threw down the challenge 19 years ago this month, there were many skeptics. Perkins recommended that UConn upgrade its football program to Division I-A. He talked about building a new stadium and asked for a commitment from the political and corporate world."
 Expectations have changed for UConn football - Hartford Courant |
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"Randy Edsall, UConn's old-school football coach, made a major concession this season to his players when it came to the rules regarding personal appearance. Edsall, entering his 12th year in Storrs, went a little soft on the Huskies and allowed them to grow facial hair during the season. It may seem like a small step, but players such as senior guard Zach Hurd were taken aback and pleasantly surprised. At least one of the players isn't taking advantage of the freedom. Senior linebacker Scott Lutrus remains clean shaven."
Linebacker Lutrus a leader for Huskies - Connecticut Post |
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