EAST HARTFORD — In order to contain Air Force’s game on the ground, UConn coaches installed a new defense on the fly.
“We didn’t play what we typically play on defense,” coach Jim Mora said after UConn’s 26-16 win Saturday “We played a 4-3-4. We put in a new defense this week. That’s a credit to (coordinator) Matt (Brock) and the staff and the players for taking the time to learn it.”
Brock, who joined UConn last year, brought a 3-3-5 alignment, three down linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs. The way Air Force uses misdirection and cutbacks and commits to the running game, the Huskies went with more size up front. The Falcons did get 301 yards, and controlled the ball 24:01 of 30 minutes in the first half, but did not get any big plays and the Huskies made two critical 4th-down stops in the first half.
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“It’s an absolute nightmare,” Mora said. “You can’t simulate the speed in which they work and then the misdirection. Trying to find the football is a challenge. … We gave up 16 points to a team that was averaging 33.8. You wouldn’t think that style of offense would average that many points per game.”
UConn had been struggling against the run all season, so it’s possible the four-up-front alignment will stay. It hurt the Falcons that quarterback Liam Szarka, a big part of the running attack, was injured in the second quarter.
Defensive back Malachi McLean stopped Szarka on 4th-and-goal after Air Force had moved 91 yards on 18 plays, and finished with 13 tackles, tied for the team lead with linebacker Ourmar Diomande. Bryun Parham had 12 tackles.
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Packing the rent, almost
For the second week in a row and third time in six home games, UConn drew more than 30,000 to Rentschler Field, adding 31,457 in tickets distributed Saturday to follow up the 38,000 that came out last week for the Duke game, which benefitted from a power-conference opponent and a later start. However, the Huskies, who won all six of their home games, averaged 30,444. … UConn was also undefeated at home during the 2007 and ’10 seasons. … Tight end Juice Vereen, injured during last week’s game, did not play. … Skyler Bell was targeted eight times, caught all eight for 70 yards. … Bristol’s Victor Rosa was a factor in the Huskies’ drive toward a go-ahead field goal late in the first half, rushing once for nine yards and catching three passes for 32.
