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Huskies Open Spring Practice; See The 2005 Huskies For The First Time In These Photos From Saturday's Practice

 

 

The University of Connecticut football team begins spring practice on Saturday and the spring drills will conclude on Saturday, April 16, when the team plays its annual Blue vs. White Spring Game at Rentschler Field. The event is open to the public and admission and parking is free.

Whenever a change is forced upon the UConn football team’s lineup, be it by injury, graduation, or other any reason, head coach Randy Edsall is fond of saying that the new performer is expected to equal or exceed the performance of his predecessor. It is the only way for the Husky program to continue to grow and develop into a power in both the BIG EAST Conference and the national scene.

In the school’s Division I-A era, Edsall’s mantra has never been more tested than it will as the 2005 season approaches. A senior-laden 2004 squad means that opportunities will abound in 2005 as UConn loses a quarterback (Dan Orlovsky) who holds nearly every school passing record, three starters off of the offensive line (Ryan Krug, Brian Markowski and Billy Irwin) who had combined to start 127 games for the Huskies, and a pair of linebackers (Alfred Fincher and Maurice Lloyd) who combined to make 769 career tackles, amongst others.

As the program has rapidly grown the past few years, the recruiting classes have likewise become more impressive annually. Now is the time for Edsall to hopefully reap the benefits of that hard work as the battles won on Signing Day hopefully translate into football games won in the fall as talented student-athletes step into their new roles.

“This is going to be a very interesting spring,†Edsall says. “These 15 practices will be very important for this football team as individuals develop through the competition that will occur for roles left behind by last year’s great senior class. It’s exciting to know that we have a good stable of young talent and I am anxious to see which ones step up and rise to the task at hand and transform themselves from potential replacements to key members of this team on the field.â€Â

UConn’s offense was hit hard by graduation. On top of the afore mentioned losses of Orlovsky, Krug, Markowski and Irwin, the Huskies have also had to bid farewell to graduating wide receivers Matt Cutaia and Keron Henry, two of Orlovsky’s top three down-field targets in 2004. One of the most welcome additions to the offense this spring though will be a familiar face, as opposed to a new one, with the return of Terry Caulley, the nation’s leading freshman rusher in 2002, who has missed nearly a year and a half recovering for a knee injury suffered early in the 2003 season. A diminutive slasher, Caulley is set to go full speed. Competition will be fierce as he attempts to regain the starting position though. Cornell Brockington (pictured to the right) was by far the BIG EAST’s leading rusher in 2004 and does not plan to yield. Tailback is the only position on the initial spring depth chart where the starter is listed with an “or†as everyone looks to see both how Caulley’s knee responds to the layoff and how a great competition plays out. Matt Lawrence, Larry Taylor and Stanley Williams will also compete at tailback. Senior Deon Anderson appears poised to become a four-year starter at fullback. Redshirt freshman Lou Allen is first in line for a backup role vacated by Sam Dorvil who has been deemed medically unfit to play.

Edsall will have a close eye on a young offensive line this spring, hoping to see how quickly the depth can sort itself out and the new unit can gel. In fact, six different assistant coaches had their duties slightly modified this winter in a direct attempt to allow Norries Wilson (centers and guards) and Dave McMichael (tackles) to have more face time with their position groups. Both of the returning starters have been shifted with senior Grant Preston moving from right tackle to left tackle while junior Craig Berry moved outside from right guard to right tackle. The initial spring starters in the interior include Matt Applebaum, who will shift over from defensive line, freshman Joe Akers, who graduated high school early and enrolled at UConn in January, and sophomore Brian Kersmanc who saw limited action as a reserve in 2004. Eight other Huskies will push those five throughout the spring and summer as Edsall searches for just who his best five options are to get the job done and form the foundation of the UConn offense.

Junior Dan Murray should continue to grow and develop as UConn’s starting tight end. The competition for backup positions should be fierce though between Steve Brouse, Ziggy Goryn, Matt Gray and Rob Getek. Goryn saw very limited playing time in 2004 and each of the other three have not played a down in college.

Just as the tailback group will get a boost with the return of Caulley, the loss of Cutaia and Henry at wide receiver will be somewhat offset by the return of junior Brandon Young. Involved in an automobile accident just prior to the start of 2004’s fall camp that left him hospitalized, the speedy Young will look to build upon his strong true freshman and sophomore numbers. Edsall will be anxious to see who else will step up amongst a core of highly-touted recruits over the past few years. Seth Fogarty and Brandon McLean saw small doses of playing time as receivers in 2004 while redshirt freshmen Ellis Gaulden and Nollis Dewar gave UConn’s top defensive back fits on a regular basis last fall as members of UConn’s scout team. With some veterans like Dan Desriveaux and David Sanchez adding to the pool, wide receiver should be an interesting spot to pay attention to in March and April.

The focal point of the offense though is invariably at quarterback and that post will be no stranger to attention this spring either. Four-year starter Dan Orlovsky is auditioning for a new job this spring as he prepares for the 2005 NFL Draft, leaving junior Matt Bonislawski and redshirt freshman D.J. Hernandez to duel for his old job. Reflecting how close the two are in ability, Edsall does not anticipate anything to be decided during spring practice, expecting to not name a starter until August.

Defensively, UConn is not without holes to fill either, losing five long-time starters, but the Huskies can draw inspiration from its own defensive line to demonstrate just how quickly former starters can be replaced. Collectively, the group stepped up and, instead of a liability, proved to be rather deep in 2004. The group was strong enough to step up around the loss of its senior anchor in Tyler King of half of the season with a broken leg. But, just because the Huskies welcome back four starters in Shawn Mayne, Deon McPhee, Rhema Fuller and Jason Ward, it doesn’t mean that competition on the line will not exist. Backups at each of the four positions also rotated in frequently last fall and have the seasoning to battle for starting roles should they continue to improve. Amongst the 2004 backups who will push to possibly start in 2005 are sophomores Dan Davis, Harold Stanback, Afa Anoai, John Baranowsky and Gary Mack, along with junior Ray Blagman.

Since taking over the strongside linebacker role in 2003, James Hargrave has proved to be one of UConn’s most steady and dependable performers on defense. In 2005, he’ll also be a leader. Elected as a team co-captain along with McPhee, Hargrave will have to bring along two new linebacker starters. Fortunately, both senior Taurien Sowell (middle) and sophomore Danny Lansanah (weak side) saw significant action in 2004 both as reserve linebackers and on special teams. The two demonstrated the mettle to be worthy replacements for All-BIG EAST picks Fincher and Lloyd. A focal point on defense, Edsall has confidence in how the group can potentially shake out.

“This program has been about going above and beyond since I arrived,†Edsall says. “I’m going to play the ones who will step up and do their jobs. We’re solid at (strong side) linebacker with James, but Taurien and Danny will have to play as good or better as Al and Maurice. Those are the standards of this program, plain and simple. I’m not going to worry about losing their skills and experience. I want to know who will go out and make me forget about it. This is what spring is for. Finding out who will get us there.â€Â

Like with the wide receiver corps, UConn will be more athletic than ever in its secondary as the team begins to reap the benefits of better recruiting classes made possible by the program’s rapid ascension to the level of a BCS conference member. Just because Allan Barnes, M.J. Estep and Ernest Cole have been starters in the past for UConn, doesn’t assure them places in the starting lineup when UConn opens its 2005 season on Sept. 1 against Buffalo.

“Each of the starters will be pushed,†Edsall says. “No one will be able to rest on their laurels. There will be some very interesting competition as we see what the redshirts, and others, can do.â€Â

Darius Butler and Dahna Deleston will have their redshirts taken off beginning March 19 and compete for a role in the secondary, along with talented sophomores Tyvon Branch, Ricky McCollum and Marvin Taylor, along with junior Jahi Smith, all of whom saw action in 2004.

Special teams is always of prime importance to Edsall. In 2004 the place kicking situation took care of itself as Matt Nuzie found his stride after the first couple of games and finished the year as an All-BIG EAST pick and chosen as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top place kicker. Competition for the punting chores will occur between Shane Hussar and Chris Pavasaris. Hussar battled through injuries to do a majority of the punting in 2004. One big hole to fill will be at long snapper where Jeff Fox quietly performed for each of the past four years. Kersmanc, Rob Lunn and Thomas Hedus will get looks at the spot first. Meanwhile, UConn’s team speed will allow for several options at kick and punt returner, competitions that are wide open. Several Huskies, including Young, Larry Taylor, Branch and Jason Williams have excelled in these areas during their Husky careers, while some of UConn’s redshirted speedsters could yet find themselves leading this pack.

“Hopefully these 15 days will give people add experience on both sides of the ball and help shape our 2005 team into the competitive one that we’d like it to be,†Edsall says. “It will be a fun and interesting spring, but I also know that all of the answers won’t come over these 15 days alone. Players will have to continue to build on this over the summer and be ready in August to demonstrate why they should be bumped up on the depth charts. Plenty of opportunities are there for the taking, if they want them.â€Â

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/AllStories/MFootball/2005/03/03122005.html

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Big Shoes To Fill After Feats Of Orlovsky

March 17, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer  STORRS -- It will be a while before D.J. Hernandez or Matt Bonislawski moves out of the shadow of Dan Orlovsky.

Hernandez or Bonislawski will earn the distinction of following Orlovsky as UConn's starting quarterback.

Hernandez and Bonislawski will begin the process in earnest Saturday when the Huskies open spring practice.

"It's going to be good competition," coach Randy Edsall said. "I'm not sure our quarterback will be asked to do as much as our what our quarterback did a year ago, based on whom we have back and based on their abilities. We have to find out what these guys do best and accentuate those things as we go."

Edsall, the two quarterbacks, team captains James Hargrave and Deon McPhee and running back Terry Caulley attended a press conference Wednesday to preview spring practice, which ends April 16 with the Blue-White Game at Rentschler Field. UConn is coming off an 8-4 season that included a victory in the Motor City Bowl.

Bonislawski will begin the spring as the No. 1 quarterback based on his experience, albeit limited. Though he will be a junior, Bonislawski has thrown only seven passes at UConn.

Hernandez will be a redshirt freshman. He is a bit of a mystery, though he brings credentials as the 2003 Gatorade state high school player of the year with Bristol Central.

With a young team, including a totally revamped offensive line, there is an opportunity and need for one of the quarterbacks to take control.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of leading this offense this spring," said Bonislawski, from Natrona Heights, Pa. "Everyone has to get on the same page. We've got a lot of new guys. The thing was, last year everyone could look at each other and know what route they were going to run. Hopefully we can build toward that and just get better every day."

Edsall said Bonislawski was only slightly ahead of Hernandez, who earned high marks for his off-season work habits.

"I feel comfortable, but I still have to learn so much," Hernandez said.

The Huskies, who open Sept. 1 at home against Buffalo, recruited two high school quarterbacks, Billy Cundiff and Dennis Brown, but both are prime redshirt candidates.

The Huskies will probably run more than they did with Orlovsky, especially if Caulley returns to form following a knee injury that forced him to miss the 2004 season. Since Bonislawski and Hernandez are known for their running ability, the quarterback who throws the best and leads the team most effectively will win the job.

"Matt has a good grasp of things we're doing," Edsall said. "He's got a good arm. He remains cool under pressure. He can run. He can make all the throws that we want to make.

"The thing with D.J. first and foremost is his work ethic and how bad he wants something. He had to learn to be a quarterback. He was like a single-wing quarterback in high school. He's learned a great deal. His throwing has improved dramatically. His presence in the huddle has gotten better."

Orlovsky set nearly every school passing record and is expected to be taken in the NFL draft.

Bonislawski and Hernandez want to establish their identities, but they paid homage to Orlovsky.

"I learned a lot from him not only by the way he played and the plays he made, but the way he handled things and how it affected everybody else," said Bonislawski (6 feet 4, 207 pounds). "He was just the guy you looked at and had confidence in."

Hernandez (6-1, 203) said he was discombobulated when he got to UConn, but Orlovsky settled him.

"He said he was awful when he came in here," Hernandez said. "He kept at it, kept working hard. Hard work pays off. I'm confident that whoever gets the job we're going to work hard and put everything we have into it."

Realignment

The offensive line, which lost three starters to graduation, has been shuffled. Freshman Joe Akers, who enrolled in January, is listed as the starting center. Craig Berry and Grant Preston, who both started every game last season, have shifted positions. Berry moved from right guard to right tackle and Preston from right tackle to left tackle. Former defensive tackle Matt Applebaum begins the spring as the starting left guard. ... The career of reserve fullback Sam Dorvil (neck stinger) is over, though he remains in school. ... Cornerback Cathlyn Clarke has left the team and is planning to transfer to Western Carolina.

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Edsall Begins Makeover

March 19, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer  STORRS -- It promises to be an interesting spring for the UConn football team.

The offensive line has been recast. The quarterback job is up for grabs. Two linebacker spots are vacant. A number of other holes need to be plugged and even more roles need to be defined.

It is the sort of stuff that can keep coaches up at night or totally jazzed. Huskies coach Randy Edsall is the latter.

"I'm probably as excited or as pumped up as I've been since I've been here in terms of the challenges that we have and the competition we're going to have this spring," Edsall said.

The Huskies open spring practice this morning at the Sherman Family Sports Complex. It will be the first of 15 practices that will include the annual Blue-White intrasquad game April 16 at Rentschler Field.

Edsall is heading into his seventh season at UConn. He is 32-37, winning 23 of the last 30. That includes a 39-10 victory over Toledo in the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 27.

But the page has been turned in a big way. The Huskies lost 24 seniors from the 2004 team, including record-setting quarterback Dan Orlovsky, three mainstay offensive linemen and five defensive starters.

"I told the team we lost some very good players, but the philosophy and the mentality that we're going to approach this spring is that whoever is going to replace those players has to go in and play as good or better than the people they're replacing," Edsall said. "If that means there's a lot of pressure on some of these people, so be it. We have our standards set high, and those standards aren't going to be lowered, regardless of who graduates or who gets hurt."

Much of the spring focus will be on the quarterback competition. Junior Matt Bonislawski starts the spring with the first team, but redshirt freshman D.J. Hernandez, the 2003 Gatorade state player of the year at Bristol Central, is expected to challenge.

Bonislawski and Hernandez might do a lot of handing off with the running backs the Huskies have. The quarterbacks are also much more of a running threat than Orlovsky was.

"We'll be more athletic at that position," Edsall said. "I'm going to be anxious to watch it as it all unfolds. Matt has the experience, but D.J. is right on his tail because of the way he works. He's going to push Matt and make him better. It's going to be good competition."

The return of running back Terry Caulley, who missed last season while recovering from a knee injury, will also be closely scrutinized.

Edsall suggested Caulley and Cornell Brockington, who led the Big East in rushing last season with 1,146 yards (not including the bowl game), could be used in tandem or even in a three-back set that would include fullbacks Deon Anderson or Lou Allen.

Wide receiver Brandon Young, who missed last season because of leg injuries sustained in an auto accident, also will be eased into things.

The other area of major concern is the offensive line. The spring practice starts with a completely different look to the five positions, including freshman center Joe Akers.

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At Center, Akers Gets Head Start

March 20, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer  STORRS -- Joe Akers knows what it means when one of the UConn football coaches shouts at a young player: He's no longer in high school.

By normal standards, Akers should still be in high school. But he's not. He's the Huskies' starting center as spring practice opens.

Akers (6 feet 1, 297 pounds) finished high school in 31/2 years and enrolled at UConn in January. It's perfectly legal, according to academic standards and athletic rules and regulations.

"A lot of kids have been doing it," Akers said Saturday, following his first official practice with the Huskies. "I finished all my credits that I needed to graduate. From that point on, I'm eligible for collegiate athletics."

Coach Randy Edsall thought so highly of Akers and needed help at center so much that he encouraged the three-time consensus Maryland All-State player to enter college early.

"We didn't have anybody coming back who had any experience," Edsall said. "He's got the strength to be able to compete."

Edsall was pleased with Akers' winter workouts - he graded out as one of the strongest players on the team - and he was pleased with what he saw on the field.

"I don't remember seeing the ball on the ground from a quarterback-center exchange," Edsall said.

But Edsall is keenly aware he is asking a lot of an 18-year-old to step in at the complicated position of center.

"I jumped him one time and I told him this is a lot faster than high school," Edsall said. "He was expecting to be able to block a guy and he forgot that this is a different level and the guy was a little bit faster than what he was used to seeing.

"He's a kid that is an extremely hard worker. He's going to give you his best effort every play. The big thing is all the fundamentals, the techniques, the calls - it's a lot on a center. He's a young man who is a student of the game and he will work at it and compete and see if he can maintain that position."

Akers was the first player in Maryland to earn consensus All-State honors for three years. He was Maryland's Lineman of the Year as a senior.

Maryland and Penn State were very interested in Akers, but he committed to UConn in June after attending Edsall's football camp and never wavered on his choice.

Akers only played center one year - as a freshman starter at Hereford High in Parkton, Md. - but he knew that with his height, he would play center in college. He worked on his snapping skills throughout high school.

The idea of enrolling early at UConn was presented to him the day he committed (also the day Edsall offered him a scholarship) and he immediately went to work to make it happen.

"I finished my final exams and the following week I'm [at UConn] taking college courses," said Akers, who had a 3.2 GPA in high school. "It was a big change."

Akers likes being able to get acclimated to college life well before the football season starts. It also gives him a competitive edge.

"Senior year in high school is great, but if you can get a head start on the field here at UConn, it's worth it," Akers said.

The Huskies lost starting center Billy Irwin and backup Jeff Fox to graduation.

Akers did not expect to see his name at the top of the depth chart ahead of redshirt freshman Trey Tonsing and sophomore Thomas Hedus.

"It's pretty mind-blowing," Akers said. "Toward the end of practice I started getting the speed level down. The plays are a little complex - the line calls. In high school you had one or two variations of plays. Here you have 10 different variations of a play."

Akers has had his first college spring break. He didn't go to Cancun or Daytona Beach. He went home to see his family.

"I'm going to go back for graduation and walk off the stage and get my diploma," he said.

Good Day For Bonislawski

Quarterback Matt Bonislawski earned praise from Edsall for the way he threw the ball on a cold, windy day. ... Running back Terry Caulley (knee) looked as quick and confident as ever. He fell awkwardly a couple of times, but bounced right up. Wide receiver Brandon Young (leg) also looked fully recovered, if a little rusty. ... Defensive tackle Afa Anoai (knee), linebacker Donnell Ford (knee) and linebacker Danny Lansanah (shoulder) did not participate in practice. Cornerbacks Jahi Smith (shoulder) and Allan Barnes (knee) were limited. ... Former UConn offensive tackle Steve Cully made the roster of NFL Europe's Cologne Centurions.

Thanks ScottVib.   ;D

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Young Willing To Lead Huskies

March 24, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer  STORRS -- When the reports trickled in on UConn wide receiver Brandon Young, each update was worse than the last. He had been in a car accident. He had sprained an ankle. He had a torn ligament. He needed surgery. He was out for the season.

It might have gone from bad to worse, but it could have been tragic.

"I was lucky to be alive," Young said Wednesday.

In August, Young went through the windshield of his car after hitting a utility pole near his home in Maryland. He was knocked unconscious, chipped a tooth and injured his left foot.

After missing the season, Young is happy to report he is ready to participate in spring practice. By the time next season rolls around, he expects to be 100 percent recovered.

"I can do everything I did before but at a slower speed," Young said. "Before the season starts it will be full strength."

Young and Jason Williams are the Huskies' most experienced receivers and should be the top two in the rotation.

The Huskies have to replace the 100 receptions Keron Henry and Matt Cutaia combined for last season, plus 19 by Brian Sparks.

The only other experienced wide receiver on the roster besides Young and Williams is Brandon McLean, who had 12 receptions last season as a freshman. There will be a scramble for playing time behind them among Nollis Dewar of Windsor and Ellis Gaulden, who were redshirts last fall, and sophomore Seth Fogarty.

This summer, freshman Todd Dorcelus of Irvington, N.J., will make the competition even more intense.

Young (5 feet 11, 200 pounds) caught a total of 50 passes in his freshman and sophomore seasons. He's aiming for that many next season.

"I was looking at last year as a season I would have a blow-up year," Young said. "It's a big year for me to work hard and take all the receivers with me."

Young, who has two years of eligibility remaining, said he must be a leader with so many inexperienced wide receivers, plus the inexperience the Huskies will have at quarterback (neither Matt Bonislawski nor D.J. Hernandez has started at UConn).

But even though the wide receivers might be largely inexperienced, Young said the players as a whole are the most athletic since he has been in the program.

"When I first came here we had O'Neil Wilson, [shaun] Feldeisen, Keron. We had great leaders," Young said. "They were guys that had been here for a while and they knew the offense very well. They had to help me. Now the situation has reversed. Jason and I are the leaders of the group. We've been here the most. We have a lot of young guys.

"By far, this might be the most talented group of receivers that we've had. Feldeisen and O'Neil and Keron were great route-runners and technicians of the game. As far as athleticism, this is the best group that we've had. At the same time, we're very young."

Young said he was talking on his cellphone, driving too fast and not wearing his seat belt when he was involved in a one-car accident last summer. The next thing he knew, he was being airlifted by helicopter to a hospital. He had surgery to repair a damaged ligament and had two screws implanted to ensure proper healing. He had the screws removed about two months after the surgery, but wore a walking cast for several more months.

He could only watch the 8-4 season and Motor City Bowl victory the Huskies enjoyed last season.

"It was very disappointing," Young said. "I feel I could have helped the team out and we could have done even better than we did. I felt I was another option to go to and spread the field. The other guys did a great job stepping up, and we were still successful."

UConn coach Randy Edsall said he will let Young determine how much he can do this spring.

"He'll be out there doing things," Edsall said. "How much depends on how he feels. You can see he's a little rusty. He's just getting a feel for things."

Young said last season "took forever. Being out there [now] with the rest of the team feels great."

Scouting The Draft

NFL scouts are scheduled to test and time a number of former Huskies today. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky, linebacker Alfred Fincher and defensive end Tyler King are scheduled to work out. Edsall said scouts are interested in Henry, too. Wilson and defensive tackle Sean Mulcahy, who last played for the Huskies in 2003, are also scheduled to work out. Linebacker Maurice Lloyd, Cutaia and several other players are also expected to participate.

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Huskies Looking To Make A Leap

Several Impress NFL Scouts

March 25, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer  STORRS -- Matt Cutaia ran the fastest. Chris Bellamy jumped the highest. Ryan Krug lifted the most.

The NFL scouts were at UConn on Thursday and many came to see quarterback Dan Orlovsky, linebacker Alfred Fincher and defensive end Tyler King.

Orlovsky, Fincher and King have a good chance of being selected in the NFL draft April 23-24. But the scouts already knew about them.

Other ex-Huskies were hoping to be discovered in the process known as Pro Day. One player who put his best foot forward was wide receiver Keron Henry. Another was Cutaia.

"Both those guys did real well," said Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. "I was really looking at Keron Henry. "He's a big receiver. He ran pretty well. He catches the ball well. I heard he's very smart. At that size you can play more spots."

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Henry was timed in 4.55 seconds, unofficially, in the 40-yard dash.

Cutaia ran the fastest 40 (4.3 seconds), but he is only 5-11, 188 pounds.

"You're never too small," said John Dorsey, director of college scouting for the Green Bay Packers and a former UConn linebacker. "He showed me he could run. He kind of surprised me a little bit."

Cutaia said he knows he is better than he showed last season and would give just about anything for an opportunity.

"I'm good at finding the holes," he said. "I think I run good routes. Ever since I was a little kid I dreamed about maybe someday playing in the NFL. I'm excited. I had a pretty good day."

There were 20 NFL teams represented, 11 more than last year. The Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons sent a scout and a position coach.

Thirteen former UConn players worked out, including defensive tackle Sean Mulcahy and wide receiver O'Neil Wilson from the 2003 team.

Orlovsky, Fincher and King helped their stock with solid workouts, which were confined to the Field House because of Wednesday night's snowstorm.

Orlovsky threw passes to Wilson, Cutaia and Henry. Orlovsky has been rebuilding his portfolio after falling ill at the Senior Bowl and not performing well in practices for the game, which he watched from a hospital bed.

The passing session was cut short when the women's track team took over the gym.

"I did what I wanted to do," Orlovsky said. "I think I had three incomplete passes. I'm happy. I think I got the majority of my throws in."

The scouts seemed pleased with Orlovsky.

"I thought Dan showed me he has come back from the Senior Bowl," Dorsey said. "His mechanics were not as tight as they were today. His footwork has seemed to improve a little bit.

"He's always had the size. He's always had the smarts. He's always had the ability to make the plays. He had to come out here and show some accuracy on his deep balls. He has to show tightness in his delivery."

Fincher was also a big hit.

"He'll go the first day [of the draft], in my opinion," Cottrell said. "He may be in the second round or the third round."

King also staged a bit of a comeback. He did not run at the NFL scouting combine last month because he had not fully recovered from a broken leg last October.

King ran a 4.6 40. He also did 22 repetitions of a 225-pound bench press. Krug did 30.

"I think I helped myself a little bit," King said.

Dorsey said the Huskies would have three players selected in the draft, and possibly four. He said he really likes King.

"He helped himself," Dorsey said. "He ran very fast. He ran very well in the drills. Everybody knows what they're getting with Tyler King - he's 100 percent all-out. You like to have guys like that on your team."

Dorsey wouldn't reveal the fourth UConn player likely to be drafted. Linebacker Maurice Lloyd is a likely candidate.

Bellamy, who had a 37-inch vertical jump, ran a 4.5 40. He'd like to catch on as a free agent running back or wide receiver.

"I'll take it whatever way I can get it," Bellamy said.

Dorsey speculated that Henry might be signed as a free agent right after the draft. Teams are looking at Henry at different positions.

"He looks like a strong safety to me," Dorsey said.

Dorsey said cornerback Justin Perkins and Krug would probably end up in NFL training camps.

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Huskies' New Volunteer Force

Applebaum Happy With Move

March 27, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer  STORRS -- Old habits die hard, but Matt Applebaum has resisted the temptation to turn around and sack the quarterback.

"I used to love to hit the quarterback and now I have to protect him," Applebaum said Saturday.

No one on the UConn football team has made a bigger change from last season than Applebaum, who has been converted from defensive tackle to guard.

It seems like a good move. Applebaum was immediately put with the first-team offense as the left guard.

Applebaum, of Yardley, Pa., had been languishing with the third-team defense when he went to UConn coach Randy Edsall and volunteered to make the move.

"I was running out of time in my career and I wanted to play," said Applebaum, who will be a junior in the fall.

Applebaum's timing was perfect. Edsall was contemplating moving someone from defense to offense and the offensive line had been hit hard by the loss of three starters.

Applebaum, 6 feet 4, 283 pounds, might not have been the most likely candidate, since he had not played offensive line in high school. But he has made a relatively smooth transition.

"He's got the strength and athletic ability that we need at that position," Edsall said.

The offensive line has been completely rebuilt. In addition to the loss of left guard Brian Markowski, center Billy Irwin and left tackle Ryan Krug, Grant Preston has been moved from right to left tackle and Craig Berry from right guard to right tackle.

Freshman Joe Akers and sophomore Brian Kersmanc have been working with the first unit at center and right guard.

Only Preston and Berry are firmly established as starters, Edsall said, although Kersmanc seems pretty solid, too.

The second unit includes four redshirt freshmen: center Trey Tonsing, left guard Pat Shortell, right guard Immanuel Hutcherson and right tackle Matt Wood.

Edsall is looking for the five best linemen. He said Applebaum elevated his stock by volunteering.

"When he came to me, it made my decision a little bit easier, because here's somebody that wants to do it, as opposed to going to somebody who might not have their heart and soul into it," Edsall said.

Applebaum might be inexperienced on offense, but with such a young line - Preston is the only senior in the mix - there was a need for some additional maturity.

"[Applebaum] will bring some leadership," Edsall said.

Applebaum said the switch is more demanding mentally than physically.

"On defense, it's pretty simple, especially at defensive tackle," he said. "It's probably the easiest position on the field, mentally. Offensive line is one of the hardest mentally.

"When you pass block, you have to be patient instead of jumping on people. You have to know the snap count. The defensive line you just run around and tackle people. The offensive line you have to be a cohesive unit."

If Edsall had a complaint with the offensive line in the past, it was that it was not physical enough at times. Applebaum might be able to help out.

"Some kids that play offensive line the whole time they don't have that defensive mentality," Edsall said. "You want that kind of attitude."

But thinking and acting too much like a defensive lineman can be detrimental for an offensive lineman, too.

"It helps in the run game because you're aggressive," Applebaum said. "In the pass game if you're overaggressive, you get beat real easily."

Applebaum said he has learned the plays pretty quickly. He said his footwork is probably what needs to improve the most.

Applebaum said the huddles on offense are a little calmer than on defense. He said his former defensive line cohorts have given him a small amount of grief for abandoning them.

"They get on me a little bit," Applebaum said. "They tell me I'm an offensive lineman and I'm no longer an athlete. They know I just wanted to play."

Power Backfield

Redshirt freshman Lou Allen (6-1, 234) worked as the tailback in goal line and short yardage situations, with Deon Anderson (5-11, 240) at fullback. ... About 550 high school coaches attended a two-day clinic at UConn.

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14228965&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=8

Move to offensive line paying off for Applebaum

Sean O’Rourke, Register Staff  03/27/2005

STORRS  Matt Applebaum saw his career drawing to a close with the University of Connecticut football program without tasting any kind of personal success.

So the 6-foot-4, 283-pound Applebaum, a defensive lineman, who will be a fourth-year junior in the fall, decided to make a visit to coach Randy Edsall’s office a few months back.

"I wanted to play more," Applebaum said Saturday. "I was the fifth tackle on defense and I was rarely playing. I felt my career was running out of time, so I went and talked to coach Edsall about making the move to offensive line. We didn’t have much experience there, so I wanted to go out and help."

The Huskies lost three starters on the offensive line  tackle Ryan Krug, guard Brian Markowski and center Billy Irwin  from a team that finished 8-4 and beat Toledo 39-10 in the Motor City Bowl. Applebaum, a native of Yardley, Pa., joins the offensive line as a guard and is penciled in as a starter after five days of spring practice.

"He’s handling the move well," Edsall said. "After five days (of spring practice), he understands what he’s supposed to do. He still has to work on fundamentals and technique, but he has the strength to do it and the athletic ability we need at that position. I’ve seen an improvement already."

Applebaum said the transition so far has been smooth.

"I thought it would be difficult to pick up the plays, but I’ve actually picked up on them quickly," Applebaum said.

"Thinking on the move, picking up the right blocking assignments on the move has been hard. I have to work on that stuff."

One thing he will miss about defense is sacking the quarterback.

"I used to love to hit the quarterback, but now I have to protect him," Applebaum joked.

Applebaum joins returning starters Grant Preston, a senior who has been moved from guard to tackle, and junior tackle Craig Berry, as well as newcomers in true freshman center Joe Akers and sophomore right guard Brian Kersmanc.

QUARTERBACK UPDATE

Edsall said following Saturday’s practice junior Matt Bonislawski is ahead of redshirt freshman D.J. Hernandez as the two battle for the starting quarterback job vacated by four-year starter Dan Orlovsky.

"Bones is still ahead because of his experience," Edsall said. "But D.J. is pushing him hard. He’s made incredible improvement from what he’s done last year."

While Bonislawski and Hernandez don’t have the passing skills or size of the 6-5 Orlovsky, both bring an added dimension to the offense with their ability to scramble.

"It’s different because they’re not as experienced as Dan was," said junior wide receiver Brandon Young.

"But both of them are hard workers and what they have over Dan is the ability to scramble. If the play breaks down, it gives the wideout a chance to catch a deep ball."

PUNZELT GONE

Former Hand-Madison quarterback Mark Punzelt quit the Huskies in the offseason. Puzelt, who had season-ending shoulder surgery in November last season, was a backup long snapper to Jeff Fox last season and was expected to move into a starting role this year.

Punzelt was a walk-on, but there was a chance he would have received a scholarship if he stayed with the program.

"He just came in and said he wasn’t going to play football anymore," Edsall said. "It takes a commitment and the right type of person to manage the academics and football together. I wish him nothing but the best."

Edsall said redshirt freshman Rob Lunn, Kersmanc and sophomore Thomas Hedus are competing for the long-snapper job.

EXTRA POINTS

• Young said his left foot is at 80 percent and he expects to be at full strength by the start of fall camp in August.

Young (6 feet, 200) missed last season after left foot surgery as a result of a car accident in July in his native Maryland.

Young had 28 catches and four touchdowns during the 2003 season as a sophomore.

• The playing career for Sam Dorvil, Deon Anderson’s backup at fullback last season, is over because he wasn’t medically cleared after suffering numerous neck stingers last season. Lou Allen, a 6-1, 234-pound redshirt freshman from East Lyme, is now the backup.

• Junior college transfer Darren Nixon will battle for minutes as a backup cornerback. The 5-10, 191-pound Nixon walked on to the Huskies after playing at Grossmont Junior College in California the last two seasons. He is a native of North Attleboro, Mass.

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14183535&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=8

Akers, 18, gets right to work

Chip Malafronte, Register Staff03/20/2005

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STORRS  Most high school seniors already accepted into the college of their choice look to the spring semester as an opportunity to unwind.

Had Joe Akers been so inclined, he could have been relaxing this weekend with classmates at Hereford (Md.) High, looking forward to things like spring break, proms and graduation.

Instead, Akers was the youngest player on the field with the University of Connecticut football team Saturday morning, trying to learn complicated blocking variations and adjusting to the speed of the college game on the first day of spring practice.

Akers, 18, doubled up on his high school workload in the fall so he could graduate in December, enroll at UConn in January and be in uniform for the month-long spring practice sessions.

"One week I was finishing final exams at my high school, the next week I was up here taking college courses," Akers said. "It’s a huge change. I have political science on Tuesdays in a classroom with 220 other people. We only had about 1,100 in my whole high school."

Akers said on occasion he misses home and friends, though he did head back to Maryland during UConn’s spring break earlier this month.

But the early graduation and college enrollment was a move that put Akers on the inside track to earning the job as starting center this fall. Three-year starter Billy Irwin is graduating, and Akers is already listed first on the spring depth chart ahead of redshirt freshman Trey Tonsing and sophomore Thomas Hedus.

"It’s mind-blowing," said Akers, who has the red-haired, freckled faced look of a Little Leaguer despite a colossal 6-foot-1, 312-pound frame. "It’s also a little unexpected. I’ve worked hard, and I’m glad they are giving me a shot to see what I can do."

Akers completed one of the finest high school careers in Maryland history in the fall. He was named the state’s lineman of the year, and became the first player in state history to earn consensus all-state honors three times.

A lineman on both sides of the ball, he made over 100 tackles and 15 sacks as Hereford went 13-1 to reach the state Class AA championship game. He also sported a 3.2 grade-point average and was named to the Baltimore academic honor roll.

Part of the appeal of UConn was its weight training program, and Akers impressed the coaching staff with lifts of 360 pounds on the bench press and a squat of 620.

"He’s an extremely hard worker," Huskies coach Randy Edsall said. "Strength-wise, he’s got the numbers to compete. Now the big thing is the fundamentals, the techniques, the calls and everything else. It’s a lot for a center.

But he’s a student of the game. We’ll watch him compete and see if he can maintain that position."

WHO’LL REPLACE DAN O?

With Shelton’s Dan Orlovsky finished and eyeing the NFL draft, Saturday was the unofficial start of race to see who will be the Huskies’ next quarterback.

Junior Matt Bonislawski and redshirt freshman D.J. Hernandez of Bristol are listed first and second on the spring depth chart, respectively, and will use the coming weeks as a sort of job interview for the starting job.

Neither has experience to speak of, though Bonislawski saw limited action last fall as Orlovsky’s backup. Edsall is treating the situation with care. He declared all quarterbacks on the roster unavailable to the media until the April 16 spring game.

"I thought Bones threw the ball pretty well. He’s always had good arm strength," Edsall said Saturday. "D.J. is much improved throwing the football. They both have a lot to work on, but considering the wind and the conditions out here, I thought they did well for the first day."

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14164135&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=8

Fear of not being great biggest fear for Caulley

Dave Solomon 03/17/2005

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STORRS  It came at Terry Caulley with a force far greater than the nastiest middle linebacker, a blow delivered not of the physical world, but of the mind.

The fear of the unknown came at Terry Caulley like no opponent ever has or ever will.

What if, when all the work in the weight room is through, he’s not the same stupefying University of Connecticut tailback who led the nation in rushing with 601 yards through the first four games of 2003? What if that Terry Caulley is a ghost, replaced by a guy who can’t make the seemingly impossible cuts, one who can no longer string 100-yard games like popcorn on a Christmas tree?

What if this Terry Caulley, 5 feet 7 and 180 pounds of heart, is merely ordinary?

It has played in Caulley’s mind over and again for close to 18 months since he tore his right anterior cruciate knee ligament in a game at Virginia Tech on Sept. 27, 2003. Every day in rehab, he’d torture his body in workouts designed by Satan’s lieutenant of the weight room, Jerry Martin. Under Martin’s intense glare, Caulley would physically push himself to limits he didn’t know existed, then mentally wonder what it all means, where it will all end.

He’s not scared to be great. He’s scared not to be great.

"You’re in a situation with an injury that separates you from something you’re very successful at," Martin said. "That’s now taken away from you and you’re outside the circle looking in. Is it lonely? Yes. Do you question yourself? Yes ...

until you’re accepted back in the circle."

So Martin tried to substitute the intensity of football for the intensity in the weight room. Caulley even joked that he’ll take a pounding on the field any day compared to what Martin put him through.

"Is it hard?" said Martin. "Well, what is an opposing team going to do to you that you haven’t done here before? Make you throw up? Well, I did it. Work out ’till I can’t walk any more? Well, I did it.

Right now he’s probably as strong as he’s ever been."

Yet the physical Terry Caulley was still way in front of the emotional one.

As spring football  which begins Saturday morning at UConn  drew near, the apprehension grew in the young running back from Lusby, Md. The players are first put through tests of strength and speed and agility, and Caulley almost couldn’t bear being ordinary in front of his teammates.

He sought counsel with head coach Randy Edsall, who tried to tell Caulley to relax, that things would be fine. Caulley so wanted to believe his coach, but until Caulley springs up from a clean hit, until his feet do magic again on a football field, the question will remain in his head.

"About a week before our testing, he came in and was very concerned about everything ... he was probably as low as any time since (the injury)," Edsall said.

"He was really concerned ... what if I go out there in front of all my teammates and I don’t do well?"

Caulley met or exceeded almost all of the tests of strength, which came as little surprise after living in Martin’s world for so long. But then came the moment of truth. The 40-yard dash.

The whole team gathered around, in almost hushed tones, as Caulley stepped to the starting line.

"I really hadn’t gone full, full, full speed, because there was still some doubt in my subconscious," Caulley said.

"But after I took my first five steps in the 40, I kind of realized that I have 90, 95 percent back and the rest will come back from playing football on the field," Caulley said.

At 95 percent, Terry Caulley ran a 4.27, which is slow compared to Ferrari and Maserati Racing Days at Lime Rock, but a rare speed among the human race.

Only cornerback Tyvon Branch ran a slightly faster time among the Huskies.

"And then he said he didn’t even bust it the whole way," Edsall said with a smile. "But I think a big burden was lifted off of him on that day. I just told him you worked hard, you trained hard and it’s going to work out. He had his judgment day and he passed judgment."

The final judgment day still awaits in stages; spring workouts, in which Edsall will temper his demands on Caulley; in preseason camp, where Caulley will battle with the leading rusher in the Big East in 2004, Cornell Brockington; and when the actual games begin in the fall.

"There’s not really uncertainties, but there are things I’m curious about going into spring ball," said Caulley, who gained 1,247 yards as a freshman in 2002.

"I’ve had my ups and down. At times I would lose sleep. I talked with Taber Small (former UConn running back who went through a similar injury) and he said, ‘You know what, it’s going to be hell. You’re going to sit here and question everything you’ve done.’

"‘You’re going to question life, you’re going to question faith, and you’re going to question football.’ It was a real intense journey."

The fear of the unknown can be a living torment, but Terry Caulley has prepared himself well to beat that too.

http://www.connpost.com/sports/ci_2621588

UCONN FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

SWITCHING UP  UConn tackle Ryan Krug might find a home in the NFL eventually, but it will be at another position. The 6-foot-4, 304-pound Krug will have to move over and play guard

"It's definitely going to be guard  too short and the arms aren't long enough," Krug said with a smile.

Krug, along with his senior teammates, were put through their paces by NFL scouts Thursday. The players had their speed (40-yard dash), agility (two shuttle runs), strength (bench press) and leaping ability (broad jump and vertical jump) tested by 22 scouts representing 18 NFL teams.

"I expected to do better," Krug said. "I wish I could have ran a little faster in the 40 (5.2). But this (indoor track) surface isn't the best."

Krug, who did more   than 30 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press, has an outside chance of being drafted but almost certainly will be a free-agent signee.

"Physically, he has the size to play inside," said John Dorsey, the Green Bay Packers director of college scouting and a UConn grad. "The thing is, can he drop his hips and sustain and finish blocks?"

MAN ADVANTAGE  In addition

to the 11 UConn seniors who took part in the team's "Pro Scout Day", former Husky defensive tackle Sean Mulcahy went through drills for prospective employers, too.

OTHER STARS  DE Tyler King, who missed the final six games of the regular season after breaking his leg, performed well Thursday. "He kind of helped himself today," Dorsey said. "He ran very fast and he moved   very well in the drills." One scout timed King's 40-yard dash in 4.63. ... WR Matt Cutaia was the fastest of the Huskies, running a 4.35 on one scout's watch. ... Though not as fast as his teammate, WR Keron Henry may get an NFL team to draft him. "He's got size," Dorsey said. "He'll get a legitimate chance." ... CB Justin Perkins ran a 4.48 in the 40 according to one scout. He spent some time on   individual workouts with scouts and may also have a future in pro football.

 NEILL OSTROUT

http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=ad848b24-a011-42e9-adf3-9cadcb265e91

Applebaum Switches From Defensive Tackle To Guard

Veteran: ‘I Knew There Were Openings On The Offensive Line'

By CHUCK BANNING

Day Sports Editor

Published on 3/27/2005

Storrs  Someone was going to be forced to move from UConn's defensive line to the offensive side.

In fact, Randy Edsall was debating which player would be best suited to make the switch when Matt Applebaum walked into the head coach's office and made Edsall's decision easy.

Let Applebaum explain his thought process ...

“I have only two years left, was clearly the fifth (defensive) tackle, and I knew there were obvious openings on the offensive line,†Applebaum said. “So I went up to (Edsall) and said, ‘Coach, you know, I'm older (21) and I know we have a lot of young guys, so maybe I can help out there.'â€Â

And just like that, Applebaum, a defensive tackle, not only became an offensive guard for the first time in his football life. ... he became a starting one, to boot.

“I had some guys in mind,†Edsall said. “And (Applebaum) was one of the guys in the mix. But when he came to me it made my decision a little bit easier because here's somebody that wants to do it as opposed to me going and telling a kid ‘I'm moving you' ... and he may not have his heart and soul into it. I'm glad he came to me.â€Â

Applebaum, a 6-foot-4, 283-pounder from Yardley, Pa., will be a red-shirt junior this fall, and admits his motive was selfish.

“I'm happy now because I'm playing,†he said. “That's the main reason I switched. I don't know if (Edsall) was surprised or happy, but I wanted to talk to him before spring ball so I could get things down pat.â€Â

Applebaum has spent the first week of spring practice leaning on his teammates, but especially offensive coordinator Norries Wilson, who works with the centers and guards. And he's pleased with his progress to this point.

“It's a lot more mental ... that's the biggest change,†Applebaum said. “On defense it's pretty simple. You basically just run around and tackle people. On offense it's a lot more mental. The offensive line has to be a cohesive unit.â€Â

Applebaum believes his defensive mentality will help in some ways (“it's good in the run game because you have to be aggressiveâ€Â), but hurt in others (“in the pass game if you're over-aggressive you can get beat real easyâ€Â).

He'll continue to work on perfecting his new techniques this spring  especially his footwork in UConn's pass-blocking schemes  and is thankful Edsall was receptive to his idea.

“Matt's handled things well after five days,†Edsall said. “He understands what he has to do. He has the strength and ability to it and although he's missed some assignments, for the most part he's coming along.â€Â

And more

UConn hosted approximately 750 high school and youth coaches on Friday and Saturday as part of clinic organized by retired baseball coach Andy Baylock, who now serves as UConn's director of football alumni and community affairs. There were coaches from 10 different states (and Canada), and among the local high school staffs represented were East Lyme, Fitch, Killingly, Ledyard, Montville and St. Bernard. “It's a way we can give something back to the high school coaches,†Edsall said. “Hopefully we can give them some drills and techniques they can take back and put into their programs, plus it's important to develop those relationships which are very critical in the recruiting process.†... Mark Punzalt, a freshman walk-on from Hand in Madison, decided not to return to the team, but the Huskies have another walk-on, junior cornerback Darren Nixon of North Attleboro (Mass.), who transferred from Grossmont (Calif.) Junior College. ... UConn will conclude its 2005 spring season with its annual Blue-White Scrimmage on Saturday, April 16 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford at noon. ... Edsall's brother Duke, an accomplished collegiate basketball official, was part of the three-man crew that worked Arizona's thrilling 79-78 victory over Oklahoma State in a Sweet 16 game Thursday night in Chicago.

http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=8eff6d91-e66a-48f9-ad09-9cc406efa5ac

Competition Is In The Air At UConn

East Lyme's Allen Among Those Drawing Attention

By CHUCK BANNING

Day Sports Editor

Published on 3/27/2005

Storrs  This is the time of year when Randy Edsall considers himself more of a talent evaluator than a football coach.

And five days into a spring season where UConn is trying to replace 11 seniors who started in the Huskies' historic Motor City Bowl victory over Akron three months ago, Edsall has been pleasantly surprised by what he's witnessed.

“The one thing that's a little bit different from the past is there's so much more competition at every position,†Edsall said following a Saturday morning practice at the Sherman Family Sports Complex. “There are quite a few talented kids that we've redshirted who are out here competing hard.

“There were a lot of times (in the past) when I would get after people, and it was probably because of an effort-thing, but now I don't have to do that because the competition is doing it for me ... even if you're a starter, they know if they're not competing every play there's somebody that's going to take your spot. We haven't always been afforded that luxury.â€Â

One of those redshirt players is East Lyme's Lou Allen. After spending his first collegiate season as a spectator, the freshman fullback returned this semester a more mature, confident person.

“It's been a learning experience,†said the 6-foot-1, 234-pound Allen. “There are so many different techniques and plays you have to learn, plus you've got to learn how to balance football and academics.â€Â

Allen's still trying to improve in both aspects, but his size and speed intrigues Edsall so much that Allen is being utilized as a tailback in short-yardage and goal-line situations this spring, as well as serving as the No. 2 fullback behind Deon Anderson, a three-year starter who will be a senior in the fall.

“He's a big, powerful young man,†Edsall said of Allen. “He's got to get his pads down a little bit ... he's still a little bit too upright ... but with his size and his speed, he packs a pretty good punch in there and I've been pleased with him. I think he's starting to gain a little more confidence and I think he's starting to feel a little bit more at ease with himself.

“He was a young man who needed that (red-shirt) year. He needed to see all those things that were going on and what it was like to be at a Division I school with academics, football and all that, but now we're going to take a long, hard look at him this spring in terms of critical situations and what we're going to do offensively, and so far he's passing the test.â€Â

Allen, always quiet and soft-spoken, is also loosening up just a bit.

“Blocking is starting to get fun, too,†he said, alluding to his role as a fullback. “But I'm so anxious. They've got me in for short yardage and goal line right now, and I want to start there. I can't wait to get on the field ... I've been watching long enough.â€Â

CONNECTICUT

INSIDE SLANT

Graduation hit the offense hard at Connecticut, especially up front and at quarterback.

Replacing three interior starters and departed QB Matt Orlovsky will be the top priorities for coach Randy Edsall and his staff looking to 2005.

UConn has made rapid progress after moving up to the Division I-A level, becoming only the fifth team in collegiate history to post .500 or better records in its first three seasons after making the move from I-AA.

The Huskies are 23-13 over the past three seasons and 21-7 over their last 28 games, including a 39-10 victory over Toledo in the 2004 Motor City Bowl.

But with six starters lost on offense, including a tackle, guard and center in the line, and four or five - departed DE Tyler King shared the starting role with returnee Jeff Ward - on defense, the Huskies have some rebuilding to do.

One of the more interesting duels should be between little-used junior Matt Bonislawski and redshirt freshman D.J. Hernandez at quarterback. Bonislawski has played in 20 games in two seasons but is only 4-of-7 passing in his career for 22 yards.

But it won't be the only position battle. Even with the returning starters, Edsall is leaving things open to competition.

"Players will have to continue to build on this over the summer and be ready in August to demonstrate they should be bumped up on the depth charts," Edsall said. "Plenty of opportunities are there for the taking, if they want them."

NOTES, QUOTES

BUILDING BLOCKS: The Huskies return four starters to a defensive line that entered the 2004 season an unknown but ended up performing quite well. DEs Shawn Mayne and Jason Ward and DTs Deon McPhee and Rhema Fuller will face some challenges, however, as several players rotated onto the field in 2004. DTs Dan Davis and Harold Stanback, both sophomores and DTs Afa Anoai, a sophomore, and Ray Blagman, a junior, make this a deep unit.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Coach Randy Edsall made several changes to his staff alignment in the off-season. Hank Hughes gets the title assistant head coach for defense in addition to maintaining his defensive line duties while linebackers coach Todd Orlando gets the title defensive coordinator. Hughes' responsibilities in his new position will be in the administrative area. Dave McMichael will concentrate on tight ends and tackles, and Norrie Wilson will remain offensive coordinator while directly handling centers and guards. Lyndon Johnson will take on special teams in addition to coaching outside linebackers. Wide receivers coach Vinny Marino will serve as recruiting coordinator, and quarterbacks coach Rob Ambrose will also assume the role of passing game coordinator. Terry Richardson remains in charge of running backs and Scott Lakatos the defensive backs.

SCHEDULE SITUATION: The Huskies get a couple of tune-ups (Buffalo, Liberty) before going to Georgia Tech for a real test on Sept. 17. The Huskies start a stretch of seven consecutive Big East games with a Friday night game against Syracuse Oct. 7. In addition to the usual Saturday outings, the Huskies have games on a Wednesday night, a Thursday night and the Friday night affair.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "These changes are necessitated by our offensive line being so young. This will allow us to give that critical area more direct time with its position coaches in meeting rooms, on the practice field and in tape sessions." - Coach Randy Edsall, on the reason for splitting coaching duties for the offensive line between assistants Dave McMichael and Norrie Wilson

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

STARS OF 2005: RB Cornell Brockington - He took over when veteran Terry Caulley wasn't available because of a knee injury and ended up rushing for 1,218 yards as a sophomore in 2004. At 6-foot, 203 lbs., he gives the Huskies a bit more power at the position than the 5-7, 184-pound Caulley.

WR Jason Williams - He was the No. 2 receiver on the team in 2004 with 44 catches for 661 yards and four touchdowns, even though he was listed as the third receiver. He has 86 catches for his career for 1,154 yards and 11 touchdowns.

TOP NEWCOMERS: QB D.J. Hernandez - The redshirt freshman, who was the 2003 Connecticut high school player of the year while at Bristol Central, is expect to challenge junior Matt Bonislawski to take over for the departed Dan Orlovsky.

C Joe Akers - One of the signees announced in February, Akers reported to classes for the spring semester and already was listed as the No. 1 center when spring drills began. The 6-1, 312-pound 18-year-old out of Reisterstown, Md., was the first player in Maryland history to earn consensus all-state honors three consecutive seasons.

ROSTER REPORT: RB Terry Caulley (knee), who missed the entire 2004 season, is back for the Huskies. He was injured in early 2003 after rushing for 607 yards in just five games. Also returning is WR Brandon Young, who was in an automobile accident before the start of the 2004 season and did not play. He has 50 career receptions in two seasons.

— FB Sam Dorvil, who played in all 12 games last fall, had his career ended by a neck stinger.

— The Huskies switched two starters in the offensive line, moving Craig Berry from right guard to right tackle and Grant Preston from right tackle to left tackle.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigeast/home.htm

Connecticut Huskies

2005 Schedule

9/1 Buffalo

9/10 Liberty

9/17 at Georgia Tech

10/1 at Army

10/7 Syracuse

10/15 at Cincinnati

10/22 Rutgers

11/2 at West Virginia

11/12 at Pittsburgh

11/26 South Florida

12/3 Louisville

2004 overall record:

8-4

Conference record:

3-3

Returning starters

Offense: 5, Defense: 6, Kicker/punter: 2

2004 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Cornell Brockington* (1,218 yds)

Passing: Dan Orlovsky (3,354 yds)

Receiving: Keron Henry (891 yds)

Tackles: Alfred Fincher (140)

Sacks: Shawn Mayne* (5.5)

Interceptions: Justin Perkins (5)

Spring Answers: After missing a season and a half recovering from an awful knee injury, Terry Caulley is back. The speedy slasher was the nation's leading freshman rusher in 2002 and looked confident and quick in scrimmages. He and Cornell Brockington – don't forget about him – will team up with sophomore Larry Taylor to form what could truly be one of the nation's elite running games. And Taylor is the type of talented athlete who will find touches somewhere on the field, in the backfield or otherwise. In that same regard, don't be surprised to see Caulley lining up at receiver on occasion. ... Still recovering from a serious car accident, WR Brandon Young wasn't at full speed during the spring, but should be fine come fall. That's welcome news for a receiving corps without much experience and one that coach Randy Edsall is pleading for to get better. ... Sophomore Ryan Henegan has taken advantage of injury-depleted linebacking corps and made a major move up the depth chart.

Fall Questions: And so it begins. QB Dan Orlovsky, who for the most part represents America's knowledge of UConn football, is off to the National Football League. In his place steps either a redshirt freshman (D.J. Hernandez) or a guy nicknamed "Bones" (junior Matt Bonislawski). Because of his experience in the program, the latter had the edge coming out of spring, but don't expect an official announcement from Edsall until late August. ... Whoever ends up at quarterback will likely have to play behind a shaky interior line. The tackles are veterans, but that's hardly the case with all the young pups competing for time at center and both guard spots. At center, UConn lost its starter and backup and is looking at Joe Akers, who would be preparing for prom at this point, but instead enrolled to college early. Oh by the way, the three seniors departing from the interior started a combined 127 games. ... Punter Shane Hussar struggled last fall and he struggled this offseason. Walk-on Chris Pavasaris was easily the better performer during the spring and has made this an interesting battle.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2046841&num=2