Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)
Ashanti Swift's performance in his tenth career college game was one that many of UConn’s greatest running backs never had. In a season that has often showcased a lackluster rushing attack compared to seasons past, the freshman attempted to put all of that to bed in one day. The blue-chip prospect from last year’s recruiting class tied a UConn record with five rushing touchdowns en route to a 55-20 rout of ACC cellar dwelling Louisville and CAC offensive coordinator Brian Woodard (user: mattynokes) on the road.
Another first half challenge for UConn proved no problem, as the Huskies rode a 38-10 second half scoring differential to the win after leading by just one touchdown at halftime. Four of Swift’s touchdowns came after the break to help the surge.
Today’s game looked quite similar to the Virginia contest last week, as some sloppy offense and a handful of turnovers for both sides kept the game close early. Each time either side had a chance to take advantage, an interception or fumble ruined a drive.
Swift’s first touchdown helped put UConn up 7-0 midway through the first quarter, and the teams traded short field goals from Anthony Ricciardi and Broderick Burse to make the game 10-3 after a quarter. The second quarter would find both teams trade touchdowns; Jordan Brown threw his only touchdown of the day to Devin Brown from eight yards out, while Brian Vinson connected with Tommy Wright for a six-yard score for Louisville. However, for the success both teams had moving the ball downfield, there was adversity to overcome as well.
Vinson threw three interceptions to Kent Newton in the first half (a career high for the senior, who now has seven robberies on the season). UConn lost two fumbles by way of defensive end Randarrius Barrea (11 tackles, two sacks), and LaMarcus Gordon intercepted Jordan as the Huskies were moving downfield in the second quarter. UConn also missed a field goal right before the half; a 35-yarder from Ricciardi pulled right, and though he went 2-3 on field goals, another miss from last year’s freshman All-American continues to cause concern. He is now just 10-for-17 this fall.
Kent Newton’s astonishing three first-half interceptions helped keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard early.
While the hapless Cardinals were able to hang in for a while, just as Virginia did last week, eventually UConn proved to be too much. Jordan Brown (22-34, 301 yards and a score) moved UConn downfield time and again with seemingly surgical precision, and each drive culminated with power near the goalline. Devin Brown, who led the team with seven grabs and 142 yards, contributed a big first down reception on each drive as well, while receivers Marcus Rodgers, Alex Paige helped move the ball continually in six-to-nine yard increments before Swift would drop the hammer at the goalline. He accounted for three of his short touchdown runs in this stretch.
Meanwhile, Louisville, possessing the worst offense in the entire nation, struggled to get anything going after the break. At one point, the Cards went three and out on three straight drives, while failing to convert on fourth down another time. The Cards gained 281 yards of offense, and Vinson threw two touchdowns in total (a toe-tapping touchdown pass to Isaiah Pighetti put Louisville on the board late). However, the choice to not get a run game going hurt their chances. Marqueese Smith was their leading rusher with just 58 yards, while their impact tailback Damon Bucolo did not gain any yards. Pighetti was perhaps Louisville’s best player on the day, racking up ten catches and 99 yards plus the score, but he also dropped five balls thrown his way.
Two of the only highlights for Louisville’s offense - Isaiah Pighetti’s nice toe-tapping touchdown catch (LEFT), and Tommy Wright’s touchdown catch (RIGHT). Note recently benched Tony Rush in the background (#6) - he’s been playing dime safety packages the past two weeks.
As a result of the inconsistency on the other end and a strong showing in the second half, UConn ripped off three Swift touchdowns with the first-team offense compared to just another field goal for Burse and the Cardinals in a span of ten minutes. The 41-13 lead UConn built was enough for Coach Stephen Belichick and he promptly pulled the starters for most of the fourth frame. Just as they did last week, many of the youngsters played inspired ball and kept the scoring coming at a rapid pace. Kelly Carlson threw his first career touchdown pass, a 40-yard bomb to Rodgers, while freshmen Avan Goulding and Ethan Buckingham teamed up for a forced fumble and recovery. Converted linebacker Kion East also recorded his first career interception.
The closing act was Swift, however. Taking the ball at the Cardinal 13, Carlson scrambled for seven before Swift bulldozed his way through the Louisville front and stumbled over the goalline for the record tying fifth touchdown, capping off a 55-21 mauling. Swift’s performance ties Luke Williamson’s five that he posted against Boston College in 2020 - Williamson is the leading rusher in UConn history.
“I felt great all game”, Swift commented. “Our boys up front have been improving the last two weeks and I feel a lot more comfortable now. This is only the beginning”. In addition to the five touchdowns, Swift added career highs with 35 carries and 143 yards.
"They're a tough team to prepare for", noted offensive coordinator Woodard during Louisville's post-game presser, head coach Dave Steckel by his side. "They've been running more multiple packages lately but their 3-4 front is still suffocating. They're talented up and down the depth chart." Steckel went on to single out praise for the youngsters, including redshirt freshman corner Kelvin Cooke, who recorded his first career sack today after an interception last week, and senior Mike Hill, who led UConn in tackles again and will likely cross the century mark next week.
UConn defensive coordinator Don Pellum succeeded at mixing up packages and catching the Cardinals confused and fatigued at times. Still, he lauded the Cardinals for not giving up, and mentioned he liked the play of their young skill players and sophomore linebacker Justin Osbjornson, a rising star who recorded a sack of Jordan Brown along with six tackles, a stat he currently leads his team in.
Despite the goodwill being shown by the former Big East rivals, in his true pessimistic fashion Coach Belichick wanted to pay attention to his team's poor start. The second-year head coach noted that UConn needs "to play four full quarters if we want to win next week”.
On the topic of next week, UConn’s win sets up a primetime showdown against Notre Dame that will help determine who plays in the ACC title game in three weeks’ time. The Irish have been looking and playing like a playoff team in recent weeks; this week they clinched a berth in the ACC title game after dismantling fifth-ranked Pitt. Miami and UConn sit tied for second place, both sporting a 6-1 ACC record.
UL looked good defensively early on, but couldn’t keep it together late in the going. LaMarcus Gordon (LEFT) intercepts Jordan Brown, while star sophomore Justin Osbjornson records a sack (RIGHT). Randarrius Barrea chipped in two forced fumbles and two sacks as well.
Devin Brown (LEFT) and Marcus Rodgers (RIGHT) on touchdown receptions. Rodgers has begun to look like the legitimate deep threat we like to see, and a solid fourth option in the pass game.
Next Week: (3)
--- (9-1, 8-0) vs. (12)
--- (8-2, 6-1)
(12) 55 --- 8-2 (6-1)
20 --- 2-8 (2-5)
55 --- 8-2 (6-1) 20 --- 2-8 (2-5) FROSH AIR
UConn pulls away in second half thanks to Swift, record-tying five TDs; Newton snags career-high three interceptions; UConn returns to Hartford for Notre Dame showdown next week
Ashanti Swift broke out in a big way, powering in for five rushing touchdowns.
Ashanti Swift broke out in a big way, powering in for five rushing touchdowns.
Ashanti Swift's performance in his tenth career college game was one that many of UConn’s greatest running backs never had. In a season that has often showcased a lackluster rushing attack compared to seasons past, the freshman attempted to put all of that to bed in one day. The blue-chip prospect from last year’s recruiting class tied a UConn record with five rushing touchdowns en route to a 55-20 rout of ACC cellar dwelling Louisville and CAC offensive coordinator Brian Woodard (user: mattynokes) on the road.
Another first half challenge for UConn proved no problem, as the Huskies rode a 38-10 second half scoring differential to the win after leading by just one touchdown at halftime. Four of Swift’s touchdowns came after the break to help the surge.
Today’s game looked quite similar to the Virginia contest last week, as some sloppy offense and a handful of turnovers for both sides kept the game close early. Each time either side had a chance to take advantage, an interception or fumble ruined a drive.
Swift’s first touchdown helped put UConn up 7-0 midway through the first quarter, and the teams traded short field goals from Anthony Ricciardi and Broderick Burse to make the game 10-3 after a quarter. The second quarter would find both teams trade touchdowns; Jordan Brown threw his only touchdown of the day to Devin Brown from eight yards out, while Brian Vinson connected with Tommy Wright for a six-yard score for Louisville. However, for the success both teams had moving the ball downfield, there was adversity to overcome as well.
Vinson threw three interceptions to Kent Newton in the first half (a career high for the senior, who now has seven robberies on the season). UConn lost two fumbles by way of defensive end Randarrius Barrea (11 tackles, two sacks), and LaMarcus Gordon intercepted Jordan as the Huskies were moving downfield in the second quarter. UConn also missed a field goal right before the half; a 35-yarder from Ricciardi pulled right, and though he went 2-3 on field goals, another miss from last year’s freshman All-American continues to cause concern. He is now just 10-for-17 this fall.
Kent Newton’s astonishing three first-half interceptions helped keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard early.
While the hapless Cardinals were able to hang in for a while, just as Virginia did last week, eventually UConn proved to be too much. Jordan Brown (22-34, 301 yards and a score) moved UConn downfield time and again with seemingly surgical precision, and each drive culminated with power near the goalline. Devin Brown, who led the team with seven grabs and 142 yards, contributed a big first down reception on each drive as well, while receivers Marcus Rodgers, Alex Paige helped move the ball continually in six-to-nine yard increments before Swift would drop the hammer at the goalline. He accounted for three of his short touchdown runs in this stretch.
Meanwhile, Louisville, possessing the worst offense in the entire nation, struggled to get anything going after the break. At one point, the Cards went three and out on three straight drives, while failing to convert on fourth down another time. The Cards gained 281 yards of offense, and Vinson threw two touchdowns in total (a toe-tapping touchdown pass to Isaiah Pighetti put Louisville on the board late). However, the choice to not get a run game going hurt their chances. Marqueese Smith was their leading rusher with just 58 yards, while their impact tailback Damon Bucolo did not gain any yards. Pighetti was perhaps Louisville’s best player on the day, racking up ten catches and 99 yards plus the score, but he also dropped five balls thrown his way.
Two of the only highlights for Louisville’s offense - Isaiah Pighetti’s nice toe-tapping touchdown catch (LEFT), and Tommy Wright’s touchdown catch (RIGHT). Note recently benched Tony Rush in the background (#6) - he’s been playing dime safety packages the past two weeks.
As a result of the inconsistency on the other end and a strong showing in the second half, UConn ripped off three Swift touchdowns with the first-team offense compared to just another field goal for Burse and the Cardinals in a span of ten minutes. The 41-13 lead UConn built was enough for Coach Stephen Belichick and he promptly pulled the starters for most of the fourth frame. Just as they did last week, many of the youngsters played inspired ball and kept the scoring coming at a rapid pace. Kelly Carlson threw his first career touchdown pass, a 40-yard bomb to Rodgers, while freshmen Avan Goulding and Ethan Buckingham teamed up for a forced fumble and recovery. Converted linebacker Kion East also recorded his first career interception.
The closing act was Swift, however. Taking the ball at the Cardinal 13, Carlson scrambled for seven before Swift bulldozed his way through the Louisville front and stumbled over the goalline for the record tying fifth touchdown, capping off a 55-21 mauling. Swift’s performance ties Luke Williamson’s five that he posted against Boston College in 2020 - Williamson is the leading rusher in UConn history.
“I felt great all game”, Swift commented. “Our boys up front have been improving the last two weeks and I feel a lot more comfortable now. This is only the beginning”. In addition to the five touchdowns, Swift added career highs with 35 carries and 143 yards.
"They're a tough team to prepare for", noted offensive coordinator Woodard during Louisville's post-game presser, head coach Dave Steckel by his side. "They've been running more multiple packages lately but their 3-4 front is still suffocating. They're talented up and down the depth chart." Steckel went on to single out praise for the youngsters, including redshirt freshman corner Kelvin Cooke, who recorded his first career sack today after an interception last week, and senior Mike Hill, who led UConn in tackles again and will likely cross the century mark next week.
UConn defensive coordinator Don Pellum succeeded at mixing up packages and catching the Cardinals confused and fatigued at times. Still, he lauded the Cardinals for not giving up, and mentioned he liked the play of their young skill players and sophomore linebacker Justin Osbjornson, a rising star who recorded a sack of Jordan Brown along with six tackles, a stat he currently leads his team in.
Despite the goodwill being shown by the former Big East rivals, in his true pessimistic fashion Coach Belichick wanted to pay attention to his team's poor start. The second-year head coach noted that UConn needs "to play four full quarters if we want to win next week”.
On the topic of next week, UConn’s win sets up a primetime showdown against Notre Dame that will help determine who plays in the ACC title game in three weeks’ time. The Irish have been looking and playing like a playoff team in recent weeks; this week they clinched a berth in the ACC title game after dismantling fifth-ranked Pitt. Miami and UConn sit tied for second place, both sporting a 6-1 ACC record.
UL looked good defensively early on, but couldn’t keep it together late in the going. LaMarcus Gordon (LEFT) intercepts Jordan Brown, while star sophomore Justin Osbjornson records a sack (RIGHT). Randarrius Barrea chipped in two forced fumbles and two sacks as well.
Devin Brown (LEFT) and Marcus Rodgers (RIGHT) on touchdown receptions. Rodgers has begun to look like the legitimate deep threat we like to see, and a solid fourth option in the pass game.
| Connecticut Huskies at Louisville Cardinals | |||||
| Nov 15, 2022 | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | SCORE |
| #12 Connecticut Huskies (8-2, 6-1) | 10 | 7 | 17 | 21 | 55 |
| Louisville Cardinals (2-8, 2-5) | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Team Stats Comparison | ||
| CONN | LOU | |
| Total Offense | 559 | 281 |
| Rushing Yards | 218 | 73 |
| Passing Yards | 341 | 208 |
| First Downs | 25 | 12 |
| Punt Return Yards | 48 | 6 |
| Kick Return Yards | 1 | 79 |
| Total Yards | 608 | 366 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 5 |
| 3rd Down Conversion | 9-17 (52%) | 6-16 (37%) |
| 4th Down Conversion | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| 2-Point Conversion | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals | 12-6-1 (58%) | 3-2-1 (100%) |
| Penalties | 1-5 | 0-0 |
| Possession Time | 27:37 | 9:48 |
| Scoring Summary | |||
| FIRST QUARTER SCORING | CONN | LOU | |
| 4:13 | (CONN) Swift 10 run (Ricciardi kick) | 7 | 0 |
| 2:16 | (LOU) Burse 21 FG | 7 | 3 |
| :24 | (CONN) Ricciardi 27 FG | 10 | 3 |
| SECOND QUARTER SCORING | CONN | LOU | |
| 6:44 | (CONN) D. Brown 8 pass from J. Brown (Ricciardi kick) | 17 | 3 |
| 2:07 | (LOU) Wright 6 pass from Vinson (Burse kick) | 17 | 10 |
| THIRD QUARTER SCORING | CONN | LOU | |
| 6:16 | (CONN) Swift 2 run (Ricciardi kick) | 24 | 10 |
| 5:18 | (CONN) Burse 37 FG | 24 | 13 |
| 3:47 | (CONN) Ricciardi 40 FG | 27 | 13 |
| :06 | (CONN) Swift 1 run (Ricciardi kick) | 34 | 13 |
| FOURTH QUARTER SCORING | CONN | LOU | |
| 7:28 | (CONN) Swift 7 run (Ricciardi kick) | 41 | 13 |
| 4:06 | (LOU) Pighetti 5 pass from Vinson (Burse kick) | 41 | 20 |
| 2:45 | (CONN) Rodgers 40 pass from Carlson (Ricciardi kick) | 48 | 20 |
| 1:55 | (CONN) Swift 6 run (Ricciardi kick) | 55 | 20 |
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Next Week: (3)
--- (9-1, 8-0) vs. (12) --- (8-2, 6-1) 
HC Quinn Shea (thesportsguru11): W (4-7, 2-6), 36-34 vs. Stanford (5-5, 4-4)
HC Dale Miller (glunsford): L (3-8, 1-6), 19-27 vs. Kentucky (4-6, 3-3)
HC Bob Trebell (DrGravyBoat): W (6-3, 3-3), 27-21 vs. Wyoming (5-6, 4-3)
HC Sam Freday (RoundingThird): W (3-7, 3-4) 31-14 vs. Old Dominion (7-4, 6-2)
HC Kaelyn Willingham (kswgrad2012): W (7-3, 5-2) 30-24 vs. Colorado (3-7, 1-6)
HC Connor Turley (convict38): W (8-2, 6-1), 38-31 vs. Cincinnati (4-6, 3-4) 
HC William Brooks (TheOtherPotterGuy): L (7-4, 6-2) 21-28 vs. Tennessee (7-3, 5-1)
OC Jordan James (HARLEE23): L (2-8, 0-7), 31-63 vs. #15 Michigan State (8-2, 6-1)
OC Tyrell Coley (Knickerbocker91): L (7-3, 4-3), 21-38 vs. #11 Minnesota (8-2, 5-2)
DC Brennan Smith (bryan3169) L (2-8, 1-6), 19-28 vs. #6 Nebraska (8-2, 6-1) 
OC Ricky Jacobsen (slicknick3822): W (4-6, 2-4), 31-28 vs. #24 West Virginia (5-4, 3-3)
DC Bud Kilmer Jr. (xboxxerx): L (2-8, 1-5), 27-28 vs. Kansas (5-4, 3-3)
OC Matthew King (ThaBoss18): W (6-4, 4-3), 42-13 vs. Tulsa (5-5, 2-5)
OC Emmett Nama (BookWork123): L (4-6, 3-4), 31-38 vs. #13 UCF (8-2, 6-1) 
OC Ryan Sorbera (YaBoySorbs): W (6-4, 5-2), 45-13 vs. USF (4-6, 3-4) 
OC Equanimeous St. Brown Sr. (TheRosterMaster): W (2-8, 1-7), 37-30 vs. FAU (2-8, 2-5)
OC J.J. Mac (RedRaider10): W (5-5, 3-4), 42-32 vs. Southern Miss (6-4, 3-4) 
OC Trent Davis (UKWildcat999): L (6-4, 3-4), 32-42 vs. UTEP (5-5, 3-4) 
OC Frankie Francisco (BigPlayJ1220): L (2-8) 28-31 vs. Navy (7-3)
OC Brian Grant (LadiesAndEdelman): L (4-6, 2-5), 21-28 vs. Bowling Green (5-5, 4-3) 
OC Richard Harrison (itsbigmike): L (3-8, 2-6), 31-38 vs. BYU (8-2)
OC Max Crenshaw (whughes): W (5-5, 5-2), 24-21 OT vs. #16 Eastern Michigan (9-1, 6-1) 
OC Jerome Baumann (RaiderAid89): L (6-4, 5-2), 23-45 vs. Northern Illinois (7-3, 5-2)
OC Ryan Malloy (FootballFanatik): L (2-8, 2-6), 10-38 vs. Akron (5-5, 4-3)
OC Caleb Henderson (NewscasterNews4): L (9-1, 6-1), 21-24 OT vs. Central Michigan (5-5, 5-2) 
OC Theron Sorensen (ronnysauce): W (5-5, 4-3), 28-21 vs. Kent State (4-6, 2-5) 
OC Foxke Brihay (nofx94): W (6-4, 3-3), 55-52 vs. Fresno State (6-4, 4-2)
OC Brett Favre (hudso3): W (5-4, 3-1), 34-27 vs. Louisiana (5-4, 2-2)
OC Spanky Westside (Trevor3_2009): L (3-6, 2-2), 14-28 vs. Georgia State (4-5, 1-3)
OC Laurence Gilbert (Mike7Vinas): W (4-5, 3-1), 45-14 vs. New Mexico State (4-5, 2-2)
--- (3-8, 2-6) 
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