Spring Break
4:14 p.m. - UConn wins it in OT, 12-9, on a 7-yard Donald Brown touchdown run. The Huskies were, not surprisingly, upbeat in their postgame press conferences. But they’ll need to play much, much better to beat Virginia next week at the Rent. If anything else breaks, I’ll have it but otherwise that should do it from Lincoln Financial Field. The Huskies are 2-0, and unfortunately, justice is not served.
3:15 p.m. - Ciaravino missed the field goal, we’re in overtime, and Temple faces a 2nd-and-10 at the 19 yard line. I’ll be back after the first OT.
2:59 p.m. - Perhaps Temple’s shirts should read “IRONY” instead of ”JUSTICE”. On 4th-and-1 on the Temple 34, TU RB Lamar McPherson came up short on a run up the middle. The review came up negative, and UConn takes the ball inside the Temple 35.
As I waited to post, we got some more inspiring offensive playcalls, and UConn ends up with a 47-yard FG attempt by Ciaravino for the lead with 2:38 left.
2:51 p.m. - It’s a start, at least. UConn has kicked a couple of field goals on their last drive to even up the score at 6-6. Lorenzen is having his second straight awful game, even if Donald Brown is nearing 200 yards. Temple has thrown away their last few drives - without even taking time off the clock.
The Huskies have benefitted from winning the field position battle, as their scoring drives both started near midfield. It looks like both teams will have one more shot each to pull this game out. Just over 6:35 left here in Philly.
2:25 p.m. - Well, that was a forgettable third quarter. UConn can’t throw the ball, Temple can’t run, neither team has any kind of offensive rhythm. It’s still 6-0.
Adam DiMichele nearly broke the game open with a long bomb to Travis Shelton, but he dropped it, giving UConn its 33rd chance to take the lead today. The Huskies will face 2nd-and-3 at their own 41 to open the final period.
1:26 p.m. - Halftime here in Motown Philly, Temple leads it 6-0 in an exceedingly lackluster game. It seems as if neither Randy Edsall or Tyler Lorenzen have confidence in Tyler Lorenzen, who completed one pass over the last 14:00 of the second quarter. The result is that UConn is wasting a fine performance by Donald Brown, who has more than 120 yards on 20+ carries. Andre Dixon is available to play, and may if Brown wears down as the game goes on.
UConn has more yards, first downs, and the turnover game is even. The Huskies have punted once, they’ve missed two field goals, and could have scored at least 20 points by now. They’ve pretty much shut down Temple’s run game, even though QB Adam DiMichele seems to have open receivers everywhere. Temple’s defensive line is getting repeatedly blown up by UConn’s O-Line. Lorenzen has been sacked once, on what looked like a draw play.
To sum up: it is mind-boggling that UConn is losing this game, more so that it’s 6-0. We’ll see what Edsall can do in the halftime locker room.
The rain is deluging here, but luckily, the computer is dry in this beautiful press box. UConn receives to open the second half. Back then.
1:14 p.m. - In what can only be described as justice, UConn picks up a gift interception that puts them inside the Temple 35. The Huskies refuse to go to the air, and Ciaravino misses his second straight FG attempt, this one off the post. Of course, since this is Justice Day, Temple hits their 41-yard field goal with ease. It’s 6-0, Owls, with 4:46 to play.
1:05 p.m. - Not to harp on things, but Lorenzen cost UConn another seven points when he missed a wide-open Mike Smith in the middle of the end zone. Lorenzen looks very unsure of himself, showing some of his happy-feet tendencies. Of course, Edsall hasn’t made too many pass calls - Lorenzen is just 5-for-7 for 35 yards.
The Huskies are dominating this game in every conceivable fashion, except for turnovers. But Tony Ciaravino’s missed field goal (another bad mistake) means Temple still leads 3-0 about 6 minutes into the second quarter.
12:34 p.m. - Tyler Lorenzen is absolutely killing UConn right now. He committed his second turnover in as many possessions, this time fumbling the ball at the Temple goal line. Instead of a 7-3 UConn lead, Temple takes over and has a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.
Looks like Randy Edsall will stick with Lorenzen right now, although he’s now committed five turnovers in five quarters. UConn simply can’t win with that type of production.
The rain has been pouring on and off, although right ow it seems to be just a little bit of mist.
Justice 3, UConn 0 after one.
12:25 p.m.- So far, justice is a dish best served with justice!
Temple leads, 3-0, on the strength of a crisp opening drive that stalled at the UConn 5-yard-line. Tyler Lorenzen was then intercepted for the fourth time in five quarters on UConn’s opening drive. The ball was tipped by Donald Brown and fell right into the hands of Temple LB John Haley.
Temple then punted on their next drive, and that’s where we’re at right now.
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Howdy and good morning from Lincoln Phinancial Phield in Philadelphia for today’s sparsely-attended game between UConn (1-0) and Temple (1-0).
If you recall Trave-sham-mockery I last September, Temple’s Bruce Francis allegedly caught a wacky double-reverse touchdown pass in the final minute, giving the Owls the upset win over the Huskies in East Hartford. Only not. While Temple may have had a good case for feeling cheated last year, they apparently missed the rule where whoever has the largest security guard wins. Now, Temple wants JUSTICE~!
Anyway, on to today’s game. The Owls are 1-0 after pasting Army last week in West Point, N.Y., and UConn is coming off a sluggish 35-3 win over Hofstra. If you’ve been reading any coverage, you’d know that both teams are at least aware of the bad feelings stemming from last year’s game. Both will try to make a statement - UConn that last year’s game was a fluke, and Temple that their program is truly on the rise.
Temple has just about every starter back from last year’s team, so you can bet that they will be pumped.
As will the (a generous guess) 6,000 people in the stadium usually filled by screaming Eagles fans. There’s probably twice as many Temple fans as UConn fans, but either way it’s not a great turnout. I’ll credit it to Hanna, instead of apathy.
Speaking of which, here comes the rain. Back after notable things happen.
JUSTICE~!
7:42 p.m.- UConn goes three and out on its first possession, but Desi Cullen’s punt is fumbled by Hofstra PR Anthony Nelson, and recovered by Robbie Frey at the 1-yard-line. Yikes. The punch-in by Donald Brown was academic, and it’s 7-0 UConn at 13:03 of the first quarter.
This one could get ugly real quick, although in fairness UConn didn’t look too impressive offensively. Tyler Lorenzen had all kinds of time to throw, but pulled it down for a scramble once and missed Ellis Gaulden (who probably should’ve caught it) on third down.
7:30 p.m. - Couple quick notes: Hofstra quarterback Bryan Savage is doubtful with a back injury, and it appears as if junior Cory Christopher will be under center to start the game.
We’re playing with a 12 mph hour wind to the west. Brad Kanuch is not on the two-deep and will be sidelined with a leg injury.
Crowd is embarrassing per usual for UConn, probably about 60 percent full outside of the mostly-blue-clad student section. Back during the game.
7:21 p.m. - Good evening from Rentschler Field, where once again the stadium is half-filled 20 minutes before kickoff of a college football game. Sigh. Props to the student section though, which is 90 percent filled. I’m impressed.
On to the business of the night, as defending Big East champion UConn opens up the 2008 fooball season with a non-conference tilt with Hofstra of the FCS.
The Pride went 7-4 last year, missing the FCS playoffs. They return 10 starters from that team, though just 3 of them are on defense. The Huskies, on the other hand, went 9-4 (5-2 Big East), lost in the Meineke Car Care Bowl last December, and return most of the contributors from that team.
We’ll be in and out throughout the night, although if the game gets out of hand, perhaps not. It’s a beautiful Thursday night here in Hartford, hope you can enjoy the game wherever you may be.
Running back Andre Dixon turned his ankle at practice Tuesday and is
day-to-day, according to head coach Randy Edsall.
Dixon will be evaluated tomorrow to see if he can go in Thursday’s season
opener against Hofstra.
“We’ve got to take a look at him and see what happened to him,” Edsall said.
If he is unable to play, redshirt freshman Robbie Frey will serve as the primary backup
to starting tailback Donald Brown.
Dixon was voted the team’s Co-Offensive MVP last season after rushing for
828 yards and three touchdowns while sharing time with Brown.
A redshirt junior, Dixon will likely split carries again this season.
Just a day after Hasheem Thabeet announced he was staying for his junior season, the good news keeps on coming for the men’s basketball team.
Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10 power forward from Sudan by way of Australia, gave an oral commitment to attend UConn next semester.
Majok, who was recently moved up to the No. 13 player overall in the class of 2008 by Rivals.com, was the main focus of the Huskies’ recruiting efforts this spring. After gaining notoriety playing in summer camps, Majok started to be recruited by the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville and lately UCLA.
The Huskies now have a total of five commitments for next year, including fellow five-star prospect Kemba Walker, 7-foot-1 junior college player Chukuma Okwandu, and shooting guards Nate Miles and Scottie Haralson. Miles, who attempted to enroll in UConn months ago, committed almost two years ago, but his college career is in doubt after difficulties involving passing the NCAA clearinghouse.
With Thabeet’s return, the Huskies only have four open scholarships. Unless another transfer occurs, decisions may need to be made as to who will be granted scholarships.
For those too lazy to read the home page:
Hasheem Thabeet is staying in Storrs.
The 7-foot-3 sophomore has decided to not to declare for the NBA Draft and will return for his junior season at UConn.
“I am excited about the opportunity to stay at UConn and continue the mission that we started this season,” Thabeet said. “I also want to thank my family and close friends for all of their help and support. As a team, we took a step in the right direction this year, but I look forward to us working together to win a Big East championship and making a run at a national championship. I really enjoy being here, getting a great education and spending time with my friends and teammates.”
The reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Thabeet started all but one game for the Huskies, averaging 10. 5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.5 blocks a game.
“We are happy that Hasheem has made the decision to return for his junior season,” said head coach Jim Calhoun. “Hasheem has made as much progress as any player I have coached in my 36 years and if he continues that incredible progress, he will help us take the next step as a team and help himself become one of the best players in college basketball.”
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