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| | Sunday, September 3 Huskies trying to run with big dogs in Division I-A | |||||
| By Scott Brown Special to ESPN.com Connecticut Huskies 1999 record: 4-7 Coach: Randy Edsall Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 6 defense) Outlook This team won't be much of a diversion for hoops-crazed Huskies fans as it plays its first season as a I-A program. UConn struggled at I-AA last season and 48 of its 70 scholarship players are either freshmen or sophomores. Translation: the season could be longer than a New England winter for Edsall, the second year-coach. The offense does have some talented skills players led by wideout John Fitzsimmons, who caught 59 passes for 785 yards last year. The senior has size (6-2, 197) and speed (he has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash). Taber Small emerged as the starting tailback last October and all he did was set a school record by rushing for a touchdown in eight consecutive games. Junior college transfer Ryan Tracey beat out Luke Richmond in the spring for the starting quarterback job, and the UConn coaches like his size and arm. On the other side of the ball Brandon Smith, who won team defensive MVP honors despite missing the last four game (concussion), and Uyi Osunde return at linebacker. How effective UConn's woefully-undersized defensive line is at keeping blocker off the linebackers will largely determined how good the defense is. The line may not have a starter that weighs over 260 pounds. Cornerback Roy Hopkins and strong safety Jamal Lundy are the leading returners in the secondary. Keep an eye on ... WR John Fitzsimmons. He is a legitimate NFL prospect, and he will draw his share of double teams. That could open things up for the running game. It's a good season if ... UConn wins three games (matching last season's win total would constitute a great season). The Huskies are still upgrading their talent, and their lack of size on the offensive and defensive lines means the three I-AA teams on their schedule could be a struggle. Scott Brown covers UCF for Florida Today |
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