Will UConn football finally improve under Jim Mora?

The defense was one of the worst in college football last season

The numbers might not tell the story, but the defense looked better when Lou Spanos took over for Randy Edsall after the Holy Cross debacle. Unfortunately, the offense punted a lot, and the defense stayed on the field more than the offense. The defense does lose its best player, Travis Jones, to the NFL.

Most everyone does return; that includes Lou Spanos, who resumes his duties as defensive coordinator. That continuity could pay dividends for Mora and the Huskies. Spanos does have two of his best players returning on defense in leading tackler linebacker Jackson Mitchell and corner Tre Wortham who was tied for the team lead in interceptions.

Transfers linebacker Marquez Bembry (Kentucky) and defensive lineman Sokoya McDuffie (Old Dominion) should step in and be impact players for the Huskies this fall. The defense is far from a finished product, but Spanos coming back will be huge for the defense.

If Wortham and Mitchell play well and the transfers contribute, the Huskies could be formidable defensively. Much of that also depends on if the offense can take a step and average closer to 20 points per game, take better care of the football, and stay on the field longer.