Huskies Look to Keep Bowl Hopes Alive
Photo credit: THE BONEYARD BLOG
The mantra is always one game at a time. It’s an uphill battle, but mathematically, the Huskies are still alive for a bowl game, believe it or not. It would take an improbable five-game run to end the season, against some pretty stiff competition, but one of the main goals heading into 2014, can still be accomplished.
The test really cannot get tougher than UCF, who enters with the top defense in the American and is a squad who has yet to lose a game against conference competition.
Sophomore QB Justin Holman leads an offense that is averaging 28-points per game over the last three. His main target, WR Breshad Perriman, the son of former NFL receiver Brett Perriman, caught 7 balls for 146 yards and a score in the Knights’ 34-14 win over Temple, a week ago.
How the Huskies secondary matches up without their captain, CB Byron Jones, who is done for the year with a shoulder injury, will determine the outcome.
“Byron is definitely a key component to our secondary,” safety Andrew Adams said on Tuesday. “He’s done a good job throughout the season, helping the younger guys when its their turn to go into the game. He’s like another coach out on the field, so he’s down and it’s time for another guy to step up. The young guys know the task at hand and they will handle it well, so I have faith in them to step in and fill his position.”
It won’t be a passing attack like the team saw last Thursday, when they faced 100 plays defensively and gave up 445 yards through the air.
“We just need to minimize their explosive plays, just keep the ball in front and make sure everyone is on their landmarks and in the right position when the ball is thrown,” Adams added. “It’s a good offense, so they will complete some passes, but when they catch the ball, we need to be able to tackle them. That’s really the key component.”
UConn displayed a physical presence for the first time all season against the Pirates, which will continue moving forward.
“Football is a physical game and when guys are pushing and shoving around the pile, tempers tend to flare and something might get carried away, but we never focus on retaliation,” Adams said. “We do focus on playing physical, from a whistle to whistle standpoint.”
On the offensive side, RB Arkeel Newsome is back at 100-percent and should be a big part of the offense today. QB Chandler Whitmer will also look to build upon his 300-plus yard performance in Greenville a week ago and gets back his No. 1 target, senior WR Geremy Davis.
The bigger story surrounding today’s game is the dedication of the Jasper Howard statue, underneath the scoreboard, at halftime. There are 20+ family members that will be in attendance and a number of former players, including Marcus Easley, Bhlidi Wreh-Wilson and Kashif Moore, who will address the crowd.
Former head coach Randy Edsall is also expected to be shown with a message via the video board.
The Huskies took a step forward over a week ago, look for them to get over the hump today.
PREDICTION: UConn 21 UCF 17
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