Spring Break
PRIMETIME IS THE RIGHT TIME
Huskies will play Cincinnati in front of national stage on ABC
Kevin Vellturo
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Sports
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The Bearcats (8-0, 4-0 Big East) are off to their best start since 1954 and have looked every bit the defending Big East champions. Despite the loss of early season Heisman candidate senior quarterback Tony Pike, the offense has not lost a step. Sophomore Zach Collaros is coming off a four-touchdown performance last week against Syracuse.
Although Collaros has proven to be a good replacement for Pike, it certainly doesn't hurt having senior receiver Mardy Gilyard to throw to.
"Mardy Gilyard is as good of a wide receiver we'll see all year," coach Randy Edsall said. "Very productive in the return game. He has a kickoff return and a punt return for touchdowns in one game already this year."
Gilyard comes into the game with over 750 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. It's nothing new to the 6-foot-1 Gilyard who has 22 career touchdowns. His ability to break a big play is a concern as the Huskies have been vulnerable to, and hurt by, such plays all season long.
UConn (4-4, 1-3) is coming off yet another blown fourth quarter lead and another heartbreaking defeat. Not only did they lose the game last week, but the Huskies also lost both starting quarterback Cody Endres and kick returner Robbie Frey for the rest of the season. After such emotionally draining losses, facing an undefeated team may not be a good thing - yet Edsall and the Huskies are excited for the opportunity.
"The guys, they're resilient, they're hungry," Edsall said. "They want to do whatever it takes to win."
While the Huskies four losses have been by a combined 13 points, Edsall knows that his team can beat any team on their schedule based on the fact that they have been in position to do just that, Cincinnati is no exception.
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