Spring Break
Who Will Get The Nod?
Football: A Look At The Position Battles For This Spring
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Sports
A year ago at this time, UConn football was working to escape the basement of the Big East after an embarrassing 4-8 campaign. Now, after nine wins, its first-ever national ranking and a co-Big East Championship, the Huskies are looking to build on the most successful season in program history.
"They know they've got so much more to prove," said head coach Randy Edsall. "It's a whole new year; it's a whole new team. It's been workman-like and business-like and very intense. They know you can't rest on what you've done in the past.
While spring practice marks the beginning of UConn's quest to improve upon its program-establishing season, many of its players will be on a mission of their own - to stay on the field.
Edsall mentioned potential position battles at running back, cornerback, safety, defensive end and defensive tackle, but did not allude to open-competition at the most scrutinized position - quarterback.
Rising senior Tyler Lorenzen, who passed for 2,367 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, figured to receive competition from Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazer, a strong-armed pocket passer who was ranked as the No. 9 quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com as a high school senior. Edsall quickly debunked the thought of a quarterback battle, and instead suggested that Frazer and redshirt freshman Cody Endres would compete for the top back-up job behind Lorenzen.
"Tyler's our quarterback," Edsall said. "We won nine games with Tyler. It's just like any other position; there's Cody [Endres] and Zach [Frazer] there, but unless someone beats him out, Tyler's our quarterback."
Though the competition for signal-caller is not open, here is the breakdown of the other position battles to watch this spring:
Running Back:
Andre Dixon vs. Donald Brown
When Brown sprained his ankle mid-way through last season, Dixon carried the offense in wins over Louisville, South Florida and Rutgers. Brown returned at the very end of the year and racked up 201 yards rushing in the team's final two contests. Now, with both players healthy, the division of carries becomes a question mark.
"They know they've got so much more to prove," said head coach Randy Edsall. "It's a whole new year; it's a whole new team. It's been workman-like and business-like and very intense. They know you can't rest on what you've done in the past.
While spring practice marks the beginning of UConn's quest to improve upon its program-establishing season, many of its players will be on a mission of their own - to stay on the field.
Edsall mentioned potential position battles at running back, cornerback, safety, defensive end and defensive tackle, but did not allude to open-competition at the most scrutinized position - quarterback.
Rising senior Tyler Lorenzen, who passed for 2,367 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, figured to receive competition from Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazer, a strong-armed pocket passer who was ranked as the No. 9 quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com as a high school senior. Edsall quickly debunked the thought of a quarterback battle, and instead suggested that Frazer and redshirt freshman Cody Endres would compete for the top back-up job behind Lorenzen.
"Tyler's our quarterback," Edsall said. "We won nine games with Tyler. It's just like any other position; there's Cody [Endres] and Zach [Frazer] there, but unless someone beats him out, Tyler's our quarterback."
Though the competition for signal-caller is not open, here is the breakdown of the other position battles to watch this spring:
Running Back:
Andre Dixon vs. Donald Brown
When Brown sprained his ankle mid-way through last season, Dixon carried the offense in wins over Louisville, South Florida and Rutgers. Brown returned at the very end of the year and racked up 201 yards rushing in the team's final two contests. Now, with both players healthy, the division of carries becomes a question mark.
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