In Memory of Jazz | A Connecticut Huskies Dynasty

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2012 Award Winners

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2012 All-Big East Teams

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Where's the Beef?
Huskies to play in Beef O'Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg, FL

STORRS, ct -- The Connecticut Huskies have received an invitation to play in the 2012 Beef O'Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida. Who might their opponent be? Well, that would be the Mustangs from Southern Methodist University. While this will be the first time the teams have met, it will indeed be a tune-up for next season, as the Mustangs will officially join the Big East Conference (along with Boise State, Memphis, San Diego State, and Central Florida).

This will be the Huskies' first bowl game appearance under 2nd year head coach Paul Pasqualoni. In their history, the Huskies are 3-2 in bowl game appearances, with their last appearance a loss in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl. SMU is currently 6-7-1 in bowl game appearances.

The Huskies come into the game with a 9-3 record on the season, and a 4-3 Big East conference record. The 4-3 mark was good for 5th place in the Big East. The Huskies are led by their defense and their rushing attack, which helps to control the clock. Senior cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson will come into the bowl game with a team leading 9 interceptions on the season.

SMU is led by former Texas Longhorn quarterback Garrett Gilbert. Yest, THE Garrett Gilbert that filled in for an injured Colt McCoy in the 2011 National Championship game against Alabama. Their offensive attack is one of the most prolific in the nation, averaging over 360 passing yards a game. Gilbert has already broken SMU's season records for passing yards and touchdowns.

According to an ESPN report, analyst Kirk Herbstreit has picked SMU to take the game, citing their outstanding offense that will be sure to keep UConn's defense on its toes.

SMU: Overall (B+), Offense (B+), Defense (B)
Connecticut: Overall (B-), Offense (B-), Defense (B-)

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55 @ 39



Barnburner in St. Petersburg
Mustangs trample Huskies in Beef O'Brady's Bowl

ST. PETERSBURG, fl -- Well one thing is for certain following the Huskies' 55-39 loss in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl, and that is the Huskies will seek revenge next season.

SMU controlled the game the whole way, jumping up 21-0 late in the second quarter. A good drive, ending in a Ryan Griffin touchdown catch, brought the game to 21-7, but the Huskies' threw a pick six on their next possession to cancel out the points. In his last game as a Husky, redshirt senior Johnny McEntee threw a season-high four interceptions and was replaced in the second half by backup Scott McCummings.

McCummings brought the game within reach in the second half. Operating the offense out of the shotgun, McCummings compiled 390 yards passing and four touchdowns. His play will certainly give Huskies' fans something to look for as McCummings assumes the starting role next season.

The big story though was the fact that the Huskies just could not stop the SMU offense. SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert completed 30 of his 41 pass attempts on the night, finishing with an astounding 472 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. He wasn't perfect though, as he did wind up throwing three interceptions on the game.

Both the Huskies and the Mustangs finish the season with a record of 9-4. Depending on how the Big East aligns itself for next season (many believe it will split into an Eastern and a Western division), we'll see if the Huskies can exact revenge on the Mustangs in 2013.

UConn senior WR Michael Smith scores his final touchdown as a Husky

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Rose Bowl
Utah 27, Michigan 9



Sugar Bowl
Wisconsin 47, Florida State 21



Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech 22, Cincinnati 19



Fiesta Bowl
Texas A&M 49, Nevada 14



BCS National Championship
Oklahoma 38, Auburn 28

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Connecticut Season Stats