Opponent Preview: Connecticut
November 07, 2013 | Football
Nov. 7, 2013
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Connecticut enters the game against Louisville 0-7 on the year. Like Louisville, Connecticut is coming off a bye week after recently falling to UCF, the only team to beat Louisville this year. UConn lost the contest 62-17.
Arguably the most impressive game UConn has played all season was against Michigan. Despite holding a 21-7 lead, the Huskies allowed 21 unanswered points and fell 27-24.
After starting the season 0-4, T.J. Weist took over head coaching duties on an interim basis. He was the offensive coordinator prior to assuming the head role. Weist was the Cincinnati Bengals' wide receivers coach for three years and coached eight seasons at Western Kentucky.
Series Recap
Louisville currently leads the series with, 5-4. The teams first met back in 2000, with the Cardinals winning that meeting 41-22. The two teams have played every year since 2005.
UConn won last year's triple overtime contest, 23-20. Chad Christen kicked a 30-yard field goal to win the game.
Teddy Bridgewater threw a career-high 53 times for 331 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Louisville was held to just 27 yards rushing on 20 attempts. The Huskies' Lyle McCombs ran for 133 yards on 29 carries, helping UConn secure the victory.
Offense
UConn has struggled on offense ranking, 117th in the nation and ninth in the conference in total offense. The team averages just under 300 yards per game.
The team switched starting quarterbacks after four games, and now freshman Tim Boyle leads the offense. Connecticut is averaging 14.3 points per game under Boyle's direction.
Lyle McCombs is in his third straight year as the starting tailback for the Huskies, but the Huskies have struggled rushing the ball, averaging just over 76 yards per game.
Geremy Davis, the leading receiver for the Huskies, has 35 catches on the year for 544 yards and looks to help out Boyle. The recent return of Shakim Phillips looks to spark the UConn offense. He is second on the team in catches (22) and yards (314) despite missing three games.
As an offense, UConn ranges from 74-117 nationally in multiple offensive categories.
| Average | National Rank | |
| Points Per Game: | 16.4 | 116 |
| Total Offense: | 293.7 | 117 |
| Passing Offense: | 217.0 | 74 |
| Rushing Offense: | 76.7 | 117 |
Defense
As a defense, the Huskies are 69th in the nation and sixth in the conference in total defense, allowing nearly 400 yards and over 35 points per game. UConn slowed down the 24th-ranked Michigan offense, which averages 37.9 points per game and held the Wolverines to their second lowest point total of the season (24).
| Average | Rank | |
| Points Allowed Per Game: | 35.1 | 105 | |
| Total Defense: | 399.0 | 69 | |
| Passing Defense: | 226.9 | 54 | |
| Rushing Defense: | 172.1 | 73 | |
Linebacker Yawin Smallwood ranks fifth in the nation in total tackles with 79. He is also among the team leaders in pass breakups and pass deflections with three apiece.
As a defense, UConn ranges from 54-105 nationally in multiple defensive categories.Special Teams
Chad Christen is back for another season as the UConn kicker and kickoff specialist. He is a perfect 7-7 on field goals under 40 yards.
Last year's All-BIG EAST second team punter Cole Wagner is back for his fourth season as the starter. He is averaging 39.9 yards per punt and has pinned opponents inside the 20 on 12 occasions this season.
Along with being the team's starting running back, Lyle McCombs returns kicks and punts for the Huskies. He ranks fourth in the conference in all-purpose yards, with 108.6 yards per game.
