NCAA Football Preview – Connecticut Huskies

T.J. Weist, who was in his first season as offensive coordinator, took over following Pasqualoni’s dismissal, but didn’t help the team improve much, at least not immediately, as it lost the first five games with him at the helm.

The Huskies finally showed some life late, topping Temple (28-21) on the road to kick start a three-game win streak to close out the campaign. The 3-9 final record for UConn was its worst since 2001, when it went just 2-9 as an Independent.

Despite the strong finish, Weist was not retained as head coach. His replacement is Bob Diaco, a former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, who is making his debut as a head coach in 2014.

“It’s been a great challenge, but it’s been a fun challenge,” Diaco said about his new post. “I’m going to make a lot of mistakes. I’m not going to pretend to know everything. I’m going to rely on the players, the people supporting our team, for as much support and help as we possibly can have. Try to get better every day.”

2014 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: There isn’t much to like about the offense for UConn this year, as there are far more questions than answers under center despite plentiful options at the position. Leading rusher Lyle McCombs is no longer with the team and the offensive line is extremely inexperienced. For a team that scored just 20.6 points per game and ranked 112th nationally in total offense (318.6 ypg) last season, so much uncertainty doesn’t provide much hope for the immediate future.

If there is any saving grace it is the receiving corps. Geremy Davis and Deshon Foxx are both reliable targets, who have shown flashes of brilliance when the ball is sent their way. Davis tallied 71 receptions for 1,085 yards and 3 touchdowns last season, while Foxx added 43 grabs for 534 yards and 2 scores. Davis is clearly the top option, as he had at least five receptions in nine games, including a phenomenal 15-catch performance in the season finale against Memphis.

The Huskies would also have some strength at running back if McCombs was still on the team. Unfortunately, he was dismissed in early June. That means that highly-touted recruit Arkeel Newsome will be given an opportunity to get the bulk of the carries right away. Max DeLorenzo rushed for 349 yards and 5 scores as the backup last season, so he will also be in the mix for carries.

Diaco waited a long time before finally settling on Casey Cochran at starting quarterback. Cochran, Chandler Whitmer and Tim Boyle all started multiple games last season, but none were all that impressive. Whitmer began the year under center but threw for just 896 yards on 55 percent passing, and had more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five). Boyle didn’t throw a single touchdown pass in four starts and was intercepted 8 times. Cochran got the inside track at the starting gig after he went 3-1 as the starter, and threw 11 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions, as well as a team-high 1,293 yards.

“I think that game experience is a positive,” Diaco said about his approach to the quarterback situation. “If we can strip away the moments where the players tethered like an anchor, if we can repackage that into something positive, even if it’s as a learning experience.”

Senior center Alex Mateas is the only returning starter along the offensive line.

DEFENSE: The defense has been the bright spot for UConn these past few years and it should be again, especially considering Diaco’s background.

Last season, the Huskies were lit up for 30.3 ppg, but they also ranked in the top half of the country in total defense (384.6 ypg).

The defensive line has a bunch of experience, with Reuben Frank, B.J. McBryde, Angelo Pruitt and Julian Campenni all having started games in the past. However, last season, UConn only managed 16 sacks and 66 tackles for loss. Each of those totals was the lowest in the AAC and did not rank well in the country over all. Frank had the most sacks among the projected starters (2).

For the second straight season the Huskies will have to replace a difference- maker at linebacker, with Yawin Smallwood having moved on. Smallwood recorded 238 tackles in the last two season, so it will be a tough task. Fortunately, Jefferson Ashiru (58 tackles, 8.0 TFL) has the talent to slot in and become the next great UConn linebacker. Marquise Vann is another guy who should excel.

The secondary may be even stronger than the linebacking unit with safeties Obi Melifonwu and Andrew Adams, two of the top returning tacklers for the squad. Melifonwu had 70 stops, the most of any returning player, as well as a pair of interceptions. Adams had 42 tackles and 2 picks of his own, while cornerback Byron Jones snagged 3 interceptions and posted 60 tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS: McCombs was the top punt and kick returner last season, so the Huskies will need to find someone new to take over those duties. Foxx averaged 18.2 yards per return on 10 kickoffs last season so he is a viable option.

Diaco and special teams coordinator Wayne Lineburg will be working with a new place kicker and punter as well. Booby Puyol will do the kicking, while Justin Wain will handle punts.

OUTLOOK: Diaco will hit the ground running as head coach, with the Huskies facing BYU and Boise State in the first three weeks of the season. The beginning of the conference schedule presents a challenge as well, with the Huskies playing three of their first four league games on the road. Even their home games are difficult, with UCF and Cincinnati both coming to town.

Diaco should be able to coach an experienced defensive unit up enough to keep the Huskies competitive in most of those contests. However, that won’t make much difference if the offense doesn’t improve. There can be no sugar-coating it — if one of the three quarterbacks for UConn does not step up and at least provide some consistent play, the Huskies are in for another pitiful win total. The talent is there at receiver, but Davis and Foxx can only do so much.

Categorized in: NCAA Football