UConn’s football program is under construction.
With the hiring of Bob Diaco after last year’s 3-9 campaign, it was apparent that a rebuilding season was upon us. However, in his recent press conference coming off another bye week, Diaco added an extra step before the rebuilding process.
“In terms of a rebuild, when I first came, there was a conversation about building on. No. This was not building on. This is tear down, rebuild,” Diaco said at his weekly press conference. “And that’s what we’ve been doing. And it needs it. And it’s still in the beginning phases.”
A remodeling of UConn’s season has been quite the experiment so far. With their only two wins coming against polar opposite opponents in FBS Stony Brook and UCF, it’s hard to judge where exactly the Huskies stand among the American Conference for years to come. Right now, it’s somewhere near the bottom.
When Cincinnati arrives at Rentschler Field this weekend, the red and black of the Bearcats’ apparel will be a reminder to Diaco about what it was like to be at the top.
In 2009, Diaco served as the defensive coordinator for the Bearcats under Brian Kelly during a historic 12-0 Cincinnati campaign. A loss to Florida in the Sugar Bowl would ruin their perfect season, but that will be the farthest thing from Diaco’s mind come Saturday.
All, except the ruining part.
The Bearcats remain near the top of the AAC with a legitimate chance to win the conference.
UConn will be playing the spoiler role and hoping to surprise another AAC title contender. As seen in their two most recent conference games, the Huskies have played up to their competition. But for their last game, it’s the opposite, as a 35-21 loss to Army secured another losing season.
Cincinnati will be a difficult task, but nothing is impossible. Both of UConn’s wins have come at home, and two of the Bearcat’s three losses have been on the road.
Last week’s game was almost a disaster for Cincinnati, as they barely escaped ECU in a Thursday night shootout. The Bearcats needed nearly 600 yards of offense as Gunner Kiel accounted for four touchdown passes and three interceptions — his third game this year with multiple picks.
For UConn to have a chance, they need to find the endzone early and often. During their current four-game winning streak, the Bearcats have had explosive first halves, scoring 28, 20, 24, and 31 points against conference opponents.
UConn has scored just 16 points in the first quarter — all season combined.
The Huskies have had trouble getting the rock moving early and have more than often been playing from behind.
Even with the lack of early points, UConn proved that their defense can keep them in a competitive game, much like their loss to ECU. A 10-point fourth quarter was the difference in the end, but linebackers Graham Stewart and Marquise Vann have provided and continue to provide solid pressure in pursuing the quarterback and containing big plays.
Vann, UConn’s leading tackler, is from Cincinnati and will want to duplicate the success he had against them last year. The 6-foot-1 sophomore at the time ran back a fumble recovery 40 yards for a touchdown.
Diaco and Vann both have fond memories of this Cincinnati team, but for different reasons. This weekend they will come together for a common goal of ruining the Bearcats’ hopes of AAC title contention, whether that means keeping up with a high-powered offense, or slowing the game down and setting their own pace.
Edited By: Ali Balchunas
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