EAST HARTFORD – So the UConn defense makes a great play near the end of the third quarter and a rare one at that against Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The Huskies are trailing by 18 points, there are some serious UConn faithful sitting in the stands braving a ridiculous cold.
Safety Andrew Adams gave them something to cheer about though with an interception of Bridgewater, a Heisman hopeful, deep in UConn territory with 27 seconds to go.
Well, it happened – just not then.
On the next play, UConn freshman quarterback Tim Boyle went airborne to Shakim Phillips who was fighting Louisville cornerback Terrell Floyd for the ball.
Phillips lost. Floyd controlled a ball that was tipping around momentarily and raced 17 yards for a touchdown.
And Floyd would get another pick, this one in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
It was that kind game for UConn (0-8, 0-4 American) which has now equaled its worst start since 1977.
The Huskies finished 1-10, 1-4 in the Yankee Conference that year.
UConn scored with 35 seconds left when Casey Cochran found Kamal Abrams for a 14-yard score long after the 31-10 final before 27,104 was determined.
The high-flying, high-octane Louisville offense produced two touchdowns in this one. The defense played one of its best games as of late but mistakes, like they have all season, killed the Huskies again.
The Cardinals improved to 8-1, 4-1 in the American and kept their league title hopes and BCS hopes alive although they were hardly impressive doing it.
Holding the Louisville offense to 14 points would usually be a cause for celebration – unless you’re UConn. The Huskies really aren’t equipped with enough big-play ability, if any, to take advantage of teams struggling against them.
They’ve been consistent in that area.
Desmond Conner, Hartford Courant