The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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connecticut• sept. 21 4 The Huskies Hope To Return To Postseason With Improved Offense By Ryan Tice new coordinator after coaching veteran Don onnecticut finished the 2010 season with Brown moved on to Boston College. The Husits third straight 8-5 record and shared the kies boasted one of the nation's best units last Big East championship en route year. UConn ranked in the top to a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. 10 nationally in rushing defense However, Randy Edsall — the (seventh, 97.9 yards allowed per head coach who guided the game) and total defense (ninth, Huskies from a Football Cham309.9 yards surrendered per pionship Subdivision program contest), and came in at No. 19 to Big East contender — left in scoring defense (19.83 points for Maryland following a loss in allowed per game). the biggest bowl game in school New coordinator Hank history (48-20 to Oklahoma Hughes has been in Stoors for in the Fiesta), and the Huskies 13 years, and this will mark his have recorded back-to-back 5-7 second stint as the defensive cocampaigns. ordinator. He will be tasked with For the first time under thirdreplacing six starters on his side year head coach Paul Pasquaof the ball, but he does have redAfter two seasons, running loni, the Huskies went through back Lyle McCombs already shirt junior middle linebacker spring ball knowing who their ranks eighth in UConn histo- Yawin Smallwood. starting quarterback would ry with 2,011 rushing yards. Smallwood started every photo courtesy uconn game over the past two seasons, be — redshirt junior Chandler Whitmer, a former Illinois transfer by way and has totaled 214 stops, 17.5 tackles for loss, of Butler Community College who threw for 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble 2,664 yards and nine scores against 16 interrecoveries and seven passes broken up. He led ceptions, fourth-most in the FBS, last season. the team in tackles while playing in the middle Last year was his first as a starter, and the of a very good linebacking corps last year and abundance of returning players on offense will serve as the leader this year with a unit should help improve his numbers, but the unit has to produce more than last year's 24 touchQuick Facts downs (only Idaho and UMass scored fewer in All-Time Series: U-M leads 1-0 the Football Bowl Subdivision). First Meeting: U-M 30, UConn 10 (Sept. 4, 2010, at New offensive coordinator T.J. Weist will Ann Arbor) enjoy the luxury of four returning senior startHead Coach: Paul Pasqualoni, 10-14 at UConn (3rd year) and 151-90-1 overall (22nd year) ers up front, but they must also improve after Off./Def. Systems: Multiple/4-3 they allowed 33 sacks last season. The Huskies 2012 in Review: 5-7, 2-5 Big East (T-6th) return their leading rusher from the past two Final 2012 Ranking: Unranked years in redshirt junior Lyle McCombs, who Returning Starters: 15 (8 offense, 5 defense, 2 spealready ranks eighth in school history with cialists) 2,011 yards on the ground, and both of last Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 (Fiesta, vs. Oklahoma, L 48-20) season's leading receivers in redshirt juniors Big East Conference Championships (last): 2 (2010) Geremy Davis and Shakim Phillips, who comReturning Leaders bined for 1,012 yards through the air. However, Passing: Chandler Whitmer (2,664 yards, 9 TD) the pass-catching duo combined for just two Rushing: Lyle McCombs (860 yards, 6 TD) scores and are the only returning targets that Receiving: Geremy Davis (613 yards, 1 TD) tallied double-digit receptions last year besides Tackles: Yawin Smallwood (120) McCombs (24 catches for 230 yards). Sacks: Smallwood (4) The defense will also be working under a Interceptions: Ty-Meer Brown and Byron Jones (1) C 2013 Schedule DateOpponent Aug. 29 Towson Sept. 14 Maryland Sept. 21 Michigan Sept. 28 at Buffalo Oct. 12 South Florida Oct. 19 at Cincinnati Oct. 26 at UCF Nov. 8 Louisville Nov. 16 at SMU Nov. 23 at Temple Nov. 30 Rutgers Dec. 7 Memphis 2012 Result — W, 24-21 — W, 24-17 — L, 34-17 — W, 23-20 (OT) — L, 17-14 (OT) L, 19-3 — that might lean on transfers Graham Stewart, a redshirt sophomore who played in 12 games at Florida as a true freshman, and Ryan Donohue, a fifth-year who originally suited up at Maryland. The defense also boasts redshirt junior defensive back Byron Jones and fifth-year senior defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, who were both named preseason second-team all-conference by Athlon. Jones has totaled 139 tackles and three interceptions during his career as a free safety, but could make the move to cornerback because UConn must replace a pair of all-conference selections. If the defense continues playing like it did last year and the offense can limit the turnovers that rendered it ineffective during its previous campaign, the Huskies should go bowling for the first time under Pasqualoni. Notes When Athlon ranked each school in the American Athletic Conference by position group, UConn checked in near the middle of the pack — their backfield was ranked as the league's second-best group, but everything else ranked fifth through eighth … UConn went 4-4 in games decided by a touchdown or less in 2012. ❏ Players To Watch OFFENSE: Geremy Davis, R-Jr., WR — He emerged last year when given the opportunity and finished the campaign leading the team with 44 catches for 613 yards … Davis recorded his first 100-yard receiving game against Western Michigan, when he posted nine catches for 123 yards and hauled in his first and only touchdown reception. DEFENSE: Yawin Smallwood, R-Jr., LB — The 6-3, 244-pounder was named first-team All-Big East in 2012 after he paced the squad with 120 tackles … His tackles-per-game average (10.0) tied for 20th nationally and ranked third in the league … He also finished second on the team and third in the Big East in tackles for loss … Smallwood has totaled 214 stops, including 17.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks, in 24 career games. the wolverine staff Prediction Why Michigan Could Win: UConn struggled offensively a year ago, ranking 110th in total yards and 118th in scoring, and even with eight starters back, is expected to experience many of the same issues. With Michigan's defense capable of shutting down even the very best offenses the Wolverines face, the Huskies' ineptitude on that side of the ball will silence any thought of an upset on home turf. Why Michigan Could Lose: Fans in Storrs, Conn., have had this game circled for awhile, annoyed that Michigan hoped the contest would be moved to New York City to accommodate a larger spectator presence (more U-M fans) and a greater media audience. Motivation will be on Connecticut's side. The Huskies also finished 2012 among the nation's best defenses, ranking in the top 20 in total yards (ninth) and points (19th) allowed, and return key leaders. Prediction: Being mad can only take a team so far, especially one less talented than its invading opponent. The Huskies have to hope that their defense, which must replace six departed starters, can keep UConn in the game for four quarters. The 2010 Wolverines showcased the difference in talent between the Big Ten and the Big East (now the American Athletic), beating Connecticut 30-10, and history will repeat itself. Michigan 31, Connecticut 10. The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview ■ 179