2008 Woodie Awards
Hello Folks,
Another Saturday practice is in the books and I’ve decided to add a new segment to our new blog section: Fourth and goal. After each practice — which run every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday — I’ll be updating the blog to give you the latest news and insights on the UConn football team as they battle through the remainder of spring practices. And yes, I am aware of how lame the name is, but I couldn’t think of anything clever that deals with numbers and football. Any suggestions on a new one are welcomed.
1st Down: 
(Zach Hurd)
There have been some big shakeups across the offensive line, as redshirt freshmen Moe Petrus and Zach Hurd have moved up to the first team and taken over at left and right guard, respectively. Head coach Randy Edsall said today that he likes the physicality and aggressiveness that both bring to the trenches, and that both will likely remain with the ones from here on out –- even when Alex LaMagdelaine returns from a knee injury sometime in the next few weeks.
Keith Gray remains at center, where he started every game last season, and Mike Hicks, who was projected to start at right guard, has moved back to right tackle after switching to guard in the offseason and practiced mostly with the twos Saturday.
Hurd didn’t have the most impressive practice, but he’s an absolute monster. The 6-foot-7 Waterford native added 10 pounds in the offseason and is now up to around 305. If he continues to make a smooth transition from tackle to guard, I don’t see him losing the job for the rest of the year.
2nd Down:
A lot of noise was made when Zach Frazer decided to transfer to UConn from Notre Dame, but the only sound coming from the former four-star prospect made was a crunch as he was driven to the turf.
Although the offensive line was partly to blame, Frazer seemed like he was scrambling for his life all practice. And when he was upright, the redshirt freshman’s mechanics were off, as he received an ear-full from Edsall a few times for not setting his feet or throwing off his back foot.
Saturday was just another in a string of unspectacular practices for Frazer, as he has yet to really wow anyone through nine practices. Unless he’s puts it together over the summer, be prepared for another year of the Tyler Lorenzen era. Wishbone offense, anyone?
The last hour or so of Saturday was devoted to two-minute drills, but it only took two seconds to see the Huskies definitely needed some work on it. In their defense, Edsall said it was the first time the team has worked in that situation, but he also noted that they will be doing more over the remainder of the spring.
4th Down:
Darius Butler spent the majority of the day working with the offense and was probably the most impressive receiver on the field. It’s clear that he’s raw in a lot of areas of the position, but his athleticism makes up for what he lacks; he’s clearly the most athletic player of the field.
With Ellis Gaulden, who had surgery today, and D.J. Hernandez still out of action and Brad Kanuch not yet participating in live action, Butler may be the Huskies’ only shot at having any semblance of a vertical game this year.
Bumps and Bruises
Andre Dixon and Steve Brouse missed practice again after suffering minor injuries earlier this week, but both are likely to return as soon as Tuesday. However, backup center Trey Tonsing will miss the remainder of spring practice with a sprained MCL in his right knee.
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