We are just one week away from UConn’s annual “Blue and White” spring game, and the way things are going, Randy Edsall probably wishes he could fast-forward through that game and avoid any more injuries. Here’s a rundown of what happened today:
1st down: Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen sat out of today’s scrimmage with an ankle injury that he suffered in Thursday’s practice. According to Randy Edsall, Lorenzen dropped back to pass, planted his foot, and rolled his right ankle. The injury, which may keep him out of the Spring game, is a result of Lorenzen “being a klutz and a non-athlete,” Edsall said. With Lorenzen out, Zach Frazer operated the first-team offense and Cody Endres ran the second team. Neither looked particularly sharp, espeically Frazer, who threw a point-blank interception to safety Robert Vaughn over the middle and then was picked off by Cody Brown on a screen pass. When asked about what areas of his mechanics Frazer needs to improve on, Edsall replied “I don’t think we have enough time go over that.”
2nd down: Kevin Poles had a big day, as he and Endres hooked up for two long touchdowns. Poles’ first touchdown came on a fade-route where he jumped over cornerback Harris Agbor, and the second came on a straight go-route. He got behind the defense, caught the ball in stride, and did not come close to being tackled on his way to the end-zone. Edsall said Poles “did better today,” but noted that he still has to become much more physical to make an impact in a real game. Kashif Moore also caught a long touchdown pass, and even recieved praise from his head coach after the practice. Edsall said Moore has really improved over the last couple of practice sessions.
3rd down: Senior defensive tackle Rob Lunn went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury when a player landed on his leg as he attempted to make a tackle on an Anthony Sherman run up the middle. Edsall said that if he went back to review the tape, he can almost guarantee that Lunn got hurt because he wasn’t going 100 percent until the whistle blew and got caught out of position. Lunn’s injury- coupled with the one suffered by Lorenzen- is part of a long-line of non-contact injuries the Huskies have endured throughout the spring. DJ Hernandez’s ankle sprain, Ellis Gaulden tendon tear in his foot, Trey Tonsing’s torn ACL, and Isaiah Moore’s pulled hamstring were not the result of big hits, but rather fluke movements or mental errors.
“The hardest hit we’ve had is Mike Cox’s sister jumping on him at home when he got hurt over the spring,” Edsall joked.
4th down: Andre Dixon was back in action for the second straight practice after suffering a minor shoulder injury, but he looked as though he never missed any time. Dixon’s hard work in the offseason in the weight room is begginning to pay big dividends. He flashed tremendous leg drive and he carried nearly the entire defense on one run and made a habit of gaining yards after contact. As good as Donald Brown has looked this spring, Dixon has stuck with him and still figures to get his share of carries when the fall rolls around.
Turnover on downs: Former UConn quarterback and current Detroit Lions back-up Dan Orvlosky was on hand for practice, along with Alfred Fincher, Orvlosky’s former teammate at UConn who recently signed a free-agent contract with the Lions. Fincher, who was drafted 82nd overall in 2005 by the New Orleans Saints, is the highest pick in UConn history. Tyvon Branch may have a chance to eclipse that mark in two weeks.
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