Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Will UConn football finally improve under Jim Mora?

By Dante Pryor

Sep 25, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Tyler Phommachanh (12) throws a pass against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Tyler Phommachanh (12) throws a pass against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Sept. 18, 2021; West Point, New York, USA; UConn Huskies quarterback Tyler Phommachanh (12) looks to pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Sept. 18, 2021; West Point, New York, USA; UConn Huskies quarterback Tyler Phommachanh (12) looks to pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the Huskies find the endzone more often this season?

Like many teams that struggled to score, the Huskies must figure out who is playing quarterback this fall. Three quarterbacks threw at least 70 passes last season. Steven Krajewski led the Huskies in passing last season but is off to Georgia State. Second leading passer Jack Zergiotis transferred to FCS Merrimack College.

That leaves Tyler Phommachanh as the only quarterback with significant experience from last season. Ta’Quan Roberson transferred from Penn State and is likely to win the job. Roberson did not have the best college debut against Iowa but has more upside than Phommachanh.

Last season’s leading rusher, Nathan Carter, returns, as does leading receiver Keelan Marion. Although Marion had just 28 catches, he averaged 16.9 yards per reception. Expect Old Dominion transfer 6-foot-5 Nigel Fitzgerald to get a lot of targets this season as well.

The offensive line was a mess last season, but the three transfers Mora and his staff signed should help solidify the line. Keep an eye on UTEP transfer Tres Barboza and Alabama transfer Dayne Shor; they will likely be the bookend tackles this fall if the Huskies don’t decide to move Barboza to guard.

Former Maine head coach Nick Charlton takes the reigns of the offense for the Huskies this season and has options. One reason for optimism about the offense is Charlton’s offensive philosophy. He’ll run the best offense based on the personnel he has. If Roberson starts, expect to see a lot of RPO to take advantage of his athleticism.

Home/Independent