UConn Football: Now-independent Huskies look for breakout 2020 season

Can Lou Spanos turn defense around?

Connecticut returns much of their starting defense from last season with two notable losses as Tyler Coyle, who led the Huskies in tackles, has transferred to Purdue and linebacker D.J. Morgan, who led the team with seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries, graduated.

Returners to the Huskies’ defense include defensive back Diamond Harrell, who led the team with a pair of interceptions last season, Lwal Uguak, who led the team with four sacks, and Travis Jones, who recorded six tackles for loss.

While continuity should help UConn’s defense, they’re going to need the group to improve mightily if they want to increase their win total.

The Huskies’ defense finished 116th in the country in total defense in 2019, allowing 467 yards per game last season. Their passing defense finished 93rd allowing 243 yards per game and the run defense finished in the bottom 10 of the nation at 123rd as they allowed 224 yards per game on the ground.

Luckily, UConn has an experienced man to lead the defense in defensive coordinator Lou Spanos who spent time as a linebackers coach in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans, was the defensive coordinator at UCLA and served as an analyst under Nick Saban at Alabama.

If Spanos can point out on film to his defense what went wrong last season and clean things up, the Huskies have a real chance to improve in 2020.