University of Connecticut Athletics
Football Gameweek: Todman, Reyes Honored
11/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 29, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut football team travels to USF this Saturday for an 8:00 p.m. game to conclude its 2010 regular season. With a win, UConn would clinch its first-ever apperance in the Bowl Championship Series.
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For a copy of the UConn media notes for Saturday's USF game, CLICK HERE.*
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The UConn Division of Athletics will once against host a mid-week live chat in preparation for Saturday's big game vs. USF. This week we will chat on Thursday at noon. Please join us.
Here are quotes from head coach Randy Edsall and selected Husky players from Tuesday's UConn press luncheon.
Head Coach Randy Edsall
On what the USF game means to him:
"You have a chance to accomplish the goals you set out to accomplish. It's going to be very difficult though. We'll prepare as much as we can and go down and play as hard as we can to give ourselves an opportunity to win, and hopefully that will happen. I never really look back. We're in the position we wanted to be in at the beginning of the year, and that's the bottom line."
On RB Robbie Frey's importance to the team:
"I think he's as close to 100% as anyone is around this time of year. I think if we're in a position where he's full-go for what he's done at this time of year, he'll be able to help us a lot wherever we need him. We have a pretty good dual threat going on back there with Nick Williams, and he's able to come in and run the ball to give Jordan (Todman) the breaks he needs."
On RB D.J. Shoemate's contributions on special teams vs. Cincinnati:
"He did a pretty good job on special teams this past week. We had put him in there due to bumps and bruises and some other things. He showed up and did some good things. Especially this week, we'll be challenged tremendously by their return team, so it was good to see from him."
On the benefits of winning the turnover battle, which the Huskies have been doing:
"I think turnovers come from guys doing their job. Last week we knocked the ball out with a big hit, and the pressure from the defensive front forced some interceptions. It's really about doing your job and flying to the ball. The big ones are the strips you can get. If you can win the turnover battle in each game, you're going to give yourself a good opportunity to win. Hopefully we can continue that formula this weekend."
On the players' level of excitement leading into the game at USF:
"They're ready to go and prepare to practice. I know this team will be ready to play when it comes time. I know they're eager to get ready for Saturday. They are excited about that."
On DT Kendall Reyes:
"Kendall has stepped it up and he's playing very well. He's playing well and he's a great leader. He's creating havoc in the middle. He's playing at a higher level than he was early in the year, and he's going to need to keep doing that this weekend."
Zach Hurd (Waterford, Conn.) RS Sr. - Offensive Guard
On preparing for probably the biggest game of his life:
"We are going to keep doing what we've been doing. We are still in full pads and this is what, week 12? We want to keep doing what has us winning all these games. And that's to work hard every practice. Come game time, we want to make sure we perform like we are supposed to. That means having a solid defense, a strong offense and productive special teams."
On keeping everyone level before such an important game:
"I told the guys last week, `we don't talk about anything to do with the BCS until we go out and win two more games.' Now, none of the BCS stuff matters until we go out and beat USF. That will take all of our focus and effort. They are a solid team. We saw that last week. They just went down and beat Miami."
On another chance to do something great at UConn:
"We've done everything since I've been here. We've been to bowl games. But like I told the guys last week, if we win two more we go to the big game. Why can't we? Why can't we win the games we need to win? We do that and we win the BIG EAST. We've put in the work. We've done what we need to do these past weeks. If we keep winning, we'll get the results we have all been playing and practicing for. But it all comes down to doing our jobs and staying focused on South Florida."
Zach Frazer (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) RS Sr. - Quarterback
On the upcoming USF game and the outcome:
"We are excited for the opportunity to play for the BIG EAST title, it will definitely be on our minds Saturday going in to the game. The game is still the same though and we all know that. We are still working hard during practice to give it everything we have on Saturday."
"The atmosphere is going to be crazy down there. They are going to want to knock us out and the fans will be behind them all the way. They have good speed and they can use their legs to execute plays. It will be a fast paced game, but if we focus on executing our game plan we can certainly get a win."
On the team's mentality this week:
"At the beginning of the season we never thought this could happen, but we are still going one game at a time and focusing on the game ahead of us. The West Virginia and Pittsburgh wins were huge and then beating Syracuse and Cincinnati was also big, but we wouldn't be here without those wins. Every game counts and that is why you have to focus on one game at a time."
Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H.) RS Jr. - Defensive Tackle
On the USF game:
"We need to go out there and work hard and do what we've been doing for the whole season in order to get the outcome that we want. The team is focused on the USF game and we are working hard during practice and we just need to do what we do when it comes game time on Saturday."
"To get a win down at USF and win the BIG EAST would be huge for the program and for Connecticut. We have the opportunity to end the season with a win, a win that would give us the BIG EAST title, that is huge."
"We just go out and perform and play UConn football. The USF game is the most important thing right now and we work hard in practice so that we can execute our plays on the field and hope for the outcome we want."
Anthony Sherman (North Attleboro, Mass.) Sr. - Fullback
On the USF game:
"We know it's a big game and we are focused on USF, not what comes after the game. We know our game plan and what USF will run against us. We keep working hard and we know we need to have a good week during practice in order to get things done on the field. If we just worry about ourselves everything will be alright."
On Zach Frazer:
"He manages the team well and he does what the team needs him to do every game. If that means throwing for 50 yards then he will do that. He is focused on what the team needs from him and he is smart with the football which leads to good things for the rest of the team."
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University of Connecticut junior running back Jordan Todman (North Dartmouth, Mass.) was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in the Huskies win over Cincinnati on Saturday
Todman rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries to lead Connecticut to a 38-17 win against the Bearcats and lift the Huskies into a three-way tie for first place in the BIG EAST standings. Todman scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to break open what had been a one-possession game and put Connecticut in the driver's seat in the BIG EAST race.
UConn junior defensive tackle Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H.) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for his performance against Cincinnati. He had 2.5 tackles for loss and set up a touchdown with a 79-yard interception return late in the first half.
The honors mark the second time this year that Todman has been named Offensive Player of the Week and the second-straight week that Reyes has earned a spot on the Honor Roll
Cornerback Brandon Hogan of West Virginia was the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week while USF's Justin Brockhaus-Kahn was the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Players Mentioned
