Spring Break
Football: Frey, freshmen play important roles
Justin Verrier
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
After constantly asking Edsall during the offseason how to see more time on the field, the coach put him on special teams as a gunner.
In his first chance, Frey confirmed his decision, recovering a muffed punt by returner Anthony Nelson at the 1-yard line 13:03 into the game, setting up the game's first score.
"He just goes about his business, he's pretty quiet, but he loves to play the game. He's a coaches' dream," Edsall said. "We feel comfortable with him on the field on special teams and also offensively and carrying the ball."
"This was just a good game to get all [the nerves] out," Frey said. "Now, we'll just see how the season goes."
Nixon Sees Familiar Faces
After having gone to prep school at Bridgeton Academy in Maine, James Nixon, a 6-foot, 185-pound speedster from New Haven, signed a letter of intent in 2007 to play defensive back in Storrs.
But instead of lining up alongside Darius Butler and others in the secondary, he'll be lining up across the field.
After academic ineligibility forced Nixon, 20, to never step foot on the field for UConn, he ended up at Temple, where he now plays wide receiver.
Although seldom used while learning his new position, Nixon recorded his first career reception against Army last Saturday.
However, even though Temple coach Al Golden said he is the fastest player on the Owls' roster and he would like to use him in the return game, he may not see much action this weekend, as he's buried on the team's depth chart.
"James has all the attributes," Golden said. "His football IQ, work ethic - all have to catch up to his athletic prowess."
In his first chance, Frey confirmed his decision, recovering a muffed punt by returner Anthony Nelson at the 1-yard line 13:03 into the game, setting up the game's first score.
"He just goes about his business, he's pretty quiet, but he loves to play the game. He's a coaches' dream," Edsall said. "We feel comfortable with him on the field on special teams and also offensively and carrying the ball."
"This was just a good game to get all [the nerves] out," Frey said. "Now, we'll just see how the season goes."
Nixon Sees Familiar Faces
After having gone to prep school at Bridgeton Academy in Maine, James Nixon, a 6-foot, 185-pound speedster from New Haven, signed a letter of intent in 2007 to play defensive back in Storrs.
But instead of lining up alongside Darius Butler and others in the secondary, he'll be lining up across the field.
After academic ineligibility forced Nixon, 20, to never step foot on the field for UConn, he ended up at Temple, where he now plays wide receiver.
Although seldom used while learning his new position, Nixon recorded his first career reception against Army last Saturday.
However, even though Temple coach Al Golden said he is the fastest player on the Owls' roster and he would like to use him in the return game, he may not see much action this weekend, as he's buried on the team's depth chart.
"James has all the attributes," Golden said. "His football IQ, work ethic - all have to catch up to his athletic prowess."
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