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5 Things to Watch
>>TULANE AT UCONN
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford
Records: Tulane 3-8 (0-7 AAC); UConn 3-8 (1-6)
TV: ESPNews
Internet: ESPN3
Radio: WTIC-1080, WAVZ-1300
5 THINGS TO WACTH
1. Points at a premium: In the last two games between these teams, there has been one offensive touchdown scored. UConn cornerback Jamar Summers had the only TD in the 2015 game and the defense may need to give the struggling offenses a boost. Tulane ranks last nationally with a 90.9 passing efficiency rating and a 41 percent completion percentage, the lowest since Army’s 38.1 percent mark in 2011. Meanwhile, UConn is the only FBS team yet to score in the first quarter and the Huskies have the fewest yards in the first quarter this season. The Huskies have only led for 9:30 in the first quarter and 31:38 in the first half this season. Along with Wake Forest, they are the only two teams to rank 100th or lower in total offense in each of the last four seasons with the Huskies the only squad to hold that distinction during each of the last five season.
2. Productive seniors: Only eight seniors are on UConn’s offensive or defensive two-deep chart, but the class makes up for in quality what it may lack in quantity. Safety Obi Melifonwu can become the first Husky to lead the team in tackles and interceptions in the same season since Danny Lansanah in 2006 and needs 14 tackles to break into the top 10 on UConn’s career list. Noel Thomas already holds the single-season receptions record. With 60 receiving yards he would move up four spots and into second place in that category. He is already fourth in career catches and eighth in career receiving yards. Justin Wain is third in career punting yards and tied for fourth in career punts while Bobby Puyol is third with 39 career field goals and eighth with 177 career points. Guard Richard Levy would move into sole possession of third place with his 37th straight start.
3. Bucking a trend: Donovan Williams is set to make his third career start. History has not been kind to true freshmen starters at quarterback for UConn as the Huskies have lost the last 14 games started by a quarterback one year removed from high school. Williams is 0-2, Tim Boyle was 0-4 in 2013, Dennis Brown 0-2 in 2005 and Dan Orlovsky lost his last six games in 2001. Orlovsky was the last true freshman QB to lead UConn to victory as he threw for 180 yards and a touchdown in a 19-0 win over Eastern Michigan on Oct. 6, 2001.
4. Hit the ground running: No FBS team has made more of an improvement in rushing offense than Tulane. The Green Wave went from averaging 115.6 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry during the 2015 season to 225.64 rushing yards per contest and 4.6 yards per attempt. Auburn is the only other FBS team to average 100 more rushing yards per game during the 2016 season than in 2015. Dontrell Hilliard leads the way once again but seniors Josh Rounds and Lazedrick Thompson combine for 98 yards per game after managing less than 31 yards per game between them a season ago.
5. Turning the page: Tulane is one of 11 FBS teams with at least 10 fumbles recovered and 10 fumbles lost. The Green Wave are tied for second nationally with 13 fumble recoveries. Tulane has seven touchdowns and five field goals on drives starting with a takeaway. On the other end of the spectrum, Green Wave opponents have scored five defensive touchdowns this season. UConn was minus four in turnover margin in the BC loss, the first time that has happened since a 2013 game against Louisville.<<
