Three Thoughts on UConn Football's win over Ball State
After suffering a loss last week against Delaware, the UConn football team returned to action against Ball State with a different demeanor on the field.
A week ago, the Huskies traveled to Delaware to play the Blue Hens who are a first year FBS program and lost the game in overtime, 44-41. UConn had been in a position to win the game multiple times but ultimately lost, and had to move on quickly with the Ball State Cardinals heading into town.
The UConn football team managed to do just that as the Huskies defeated Ball State at home behind the rushing attack of Cam Edwards. Edwards recorded 194 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Huskies, leading the offense to a 31-point performance against a MAC opponent.
With the win secured and Buffalo up next on the schedule for the Huskies, here are three thoughts about the game.
UConn Must Improve Fourth-Quarter Play
While the win was great and the Huskies performed well overall, the Cardinals scored 15-points in the fourth-quarter which allowed a concerning trend to continue to grow. The Huskies have allowed 32-points in the fourth-quarter including crucial scores from Delaware and Syracuse that led to the losses.
Late in the game, the UConn defense has become less and less effective as Ball State managed to make a blow out much closer than the result should have been. Against Syracuse, the Huskies allowed 237 yards to be gained in the fourth-quarter which accounted for over a half of the total yards Syracuse had in the game. Against Delaware, the defense allowed 97 yards to be gained in the fourth-quarter as well as two field goal attempts to tie the game at 38.
Moving forward, the UConn Huskies will need to figure out ways to stay fresh and engaged at the end of games to avoid further potential late game heroics.
Feeding Stars May Not be a Bad Thing
Heading into the game against Ball State, coach Jim Mora stated that getting the football to his playmakers would be something the team would be doing more of. Mora stuck to his word, and even reiterated his stance during a sideline interview when stating the ball had to get to star wide receiver Skyler Bell.
At the end of the game, Bell finished with 14 receptions, 113 yards, and one touchdown for the Huskies offense. In addition to Bell leading the receiving room like a star, running back Cam Edwards took control on the ground. Edwards carried the football 24 times for 194 yards and two scores while only taking a handful of plays off.
Both Edwards and Bell proved two things for the UConn football team: feeding the stars is not a bad thing and the duo is capable of leading an offense. Joe Fagnano continues to look solid at quarterback and still does not have an interception as the quarterback does not need to force anything. With playmakers like Edwards and Bell, Fagnano can let the game come to him and play with confidence on the field.
Parham Continues to be Excellent on Defense
The Huskies may not have the greatest defense this season after the losses to Syracuse and Delaware, but some of the components of the defense have been stellar. One such player has been linebacker Bryun Parham, wearing the coveted jersey number of six for the Huskies defense. Parham was a former standout for San Jose State who transferred to Washington last season, but later entered his name into the portal during the season.
Parham landed in Connecticut and has gotten right back to being himself on the field, with 5.5 sacks, 35 tackles, and one fumble recovery on the season already. Parham recorded a season-high 11 tackles against Ball State including a touchdown saving tackle from behind on Qian Magwood. The linebacker has a career-high of 106 total tackles in a season which could be a record he breaks with more performances like the game against the Cardinals.
The linebacker has been everything the Huskies need at the position and more, and while the defense has not been perfect, Parham is certainly doing his job.
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