UCONN Loses to Rutgers

Another UCONN football game on national tv (ESPN), another loss for the Huskies as UCONN was defeated by the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers 24-13.

Stupid mistakes and turnovers plagued the Huskies again as DJ Hernandez fumbled yet again which led to a Rutgers touchdown. Rutgers also scored a touchdown on special teams as they blocked a punt at the end of the game to put the game out of reach.

Notes and observations from the game:

• Coach Edsall named DJ Hernandez the starter for today’s game. It will be interesting to see who QB’s the Huskies against Pittsburgh as DJ only threw for 67 yards.
• Terry Caulley sat out the game with a gimpy ankle and may have lost his starting job to Donald Brown II.
• Donald Brown II rushed for 199 yards and 2 td’s in what turned out to be an audition for the Huskies. His rushing performance in the 2nd half basically got UCONN back in the game after trailing 17-0 at the half.
• Brown’s rushing performance tonight was the most yards Rutgers had allowed by a running back all season.
• The UCONN Defense held Ray Rice, who had the 2nd best average at 161 yards per game, to 79 yards.
• Matt Nuzie missed another field goal. Big shocker! I will say though with the winds we have had in the northeast this weekend and the distance he kicked from, 51 yds, we can let it slide this time.
• UCONN also missed an extra point. This wasn’t Tony Ciaravino’s fault as the snap was bad. UCONN’s regular long snapper suffered an injury in practice and was unable to play tonight.
• Larry Taylor had a great game returning kicks. His best runback of the night was nullified by a block in the back call that cost UCONN 50 yards.
• Rutgers remained one of the 6 unbeaten teams (8-0) in the nation going into their showdown with Louisville on November 9th.

Well this loss drops the Huskies to 3-5 on the season. I am gonna say our bowl hopes this season are slim and none, With slim about to leave the building. Next up for the football Huskies is the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, November 11th at 3:30 PM at the Rent.