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Sep. 24—STORRS — A year ago, UConn’s two top rushers, two leading receivers and starting quarterback weren’t on the roster.
Coach Jim Mora dipped into the transfer portal to inject some talent and firepower into a struggling attack that averaged just 19.1 points and 326.9 yards per game last season.
The result: The Huskies (2-2) are a vastly improved offensive team through four games, averaging 34.8 points per game and 447.5 yards.
“It’s been an amazing tool to utilize…,” Mora said of the transfer portal. “It’s a chance to bring in veteran players that have played a lot of games, that have a physical maturity to them as well as an emotional maturity and get better quickly. “
Another number that jumps out is UConn’s 241.5 rushing yards per game (13th nationally), a significant improvement from last season’s 136.6.
Give some credit transfers Durell Robinson and Mel Brown, who previously played at Charlotte and Gardner Webb, respectively.
In Saturday’s 48-14 rout of Florida Atlantic, Robinson piled up 156 yards on 16 carries and Brown ran for 156 yards on 21 carries to help he Huskies set a school FBS record 421 rushing yards, the second most in program history.
The 207-pound Robinson relies on power while 5-foot-8, 176-pound Brown is more of a speed and agility guy.
“He brings all the energy,” Brown said of Robinson. “He’s literally the power source and the energy source of this offense. Like on and off the field, he brings that. Honestly, I feel like he’s the bigger back and I’m the smaller back. Thunder and lightning.”
The backfield duo added quality depth to a running back room that also includes junior Victor Rosa and redshirt sophomore Cam Edwards, who has a 100-yard rushing game this season under his belt.
A banged up Edwards was limited to seven carries on 30 yards last weekend. Rosa (broken finger) may return to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/uconn-prepares-buffalo-easy-win-003300588.html
Author : The Day, New London, Conn.
Publish date : 2024-09-25 00:33:00
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