University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Houston
Football: Storylines Ahead of the Houston Game
10/15/2019 5:46:00 PM | Football
UConn will host Houston at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field this weekend. UConn enters the matchup at 1-5, while the Cougars have also struggled this season with a 2-4 record. Both teams are looking for their first conference win of the season. Kickoff is at noon.
Getting Favorable Matchups
Head coach Randy Edsall said in his Tuesday press conference that part of the problems they've run into this year is lining up against players that are bigger and stronger. He said it's imperative to put his players in matchups that are favorable on both sides of the ball.
"The matchups aren't conducive to certain things, and we try to stay away from doing certain things if we don't feel we have the right matchup," Edsall said. "It's a personnel game, and you gotta do what your personnel can do best. Try to put them in positions where they can be successful. Don't put them into a position where because of the mismatch, they don't have a chance for success."
Edsall said that can be really hard when you go against teams that are more talented because then you are limited in those favorable matchups. Ultimately though, he said it comes down to executing on the plays that should be successful.
Donaldson Remains on Kickoffs
With Noah Iden out last week, redshirt junior receiver Mason Donaldson handled kickoff duties. On both of his kickoffs, he kicked the ball deep into the end zone for touchbacks. Edsall said he will remain on kickoffs this week.
"He gave us everything we needed," Edsall said. "We gave him an opportunity and he went out there and performed. That's what you really want."
Donaldson, who was recruited as a kicker, said he was very happy to get back to his kicking roots.
"It was exciting," Donaldson said. "I had a week to prepare, which was more than enough for myself regardless of it's been four years since I kicked the ball … On Saturday, I just went out there and kicked the football and tried to do what I could to help the team be successful."
Donaldson said he will still play receiver and help out anywhere else if necessary.
"I still consider myself a receiver," Donaldson said. "I'm a receiver out there who has the ability to kick off."
Donaldson said he's had a dream scenario where he catches a touchdown, kicks the extra point and kicks a touchback on the kickoff all in a row. With his new role, that may be in play now.
Mitchell Gets First Start
Freshman linebacker Jackson Mitchell will get his first career start this week at Houston. He has seen his playing time increase during the season, culminating in a lot of snaps and eight tackles last week at Tulane. He has clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff.
"I've been impressed with him since he got here and he's kind of worked himself into a position where you could just see a guy getting better," Edsall said. "Is he ready to play? Yeah. Is he gonna make some mistakes? Yes. But he gives you everything that he has each and every play. It's important to him. He likes to play."
Edsall also praised Mitchell for having great football instincts, something he said that's hard to teach.
Mitchell said he's been working hard this season to get a start so he is very excited to go out there and fulfill his goal. From a personnel standpoint, he said he thinks his versatility will help the team on the field.
"I think I'm pretty versatile," Mitchell said. "I can make some tackles. I can cover the pass, so I can cover running backs, cover the slot. I think I'm pretty smart. I think I've got the keys down and I've got the plays down, so I'm able to call the defense and set the defense pretty well."
Mitchell will look to be a key part of this defense in what could be his first start of many over his time here at UConn.
