University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Massachusetts
Huskies Look to Seize Opportunity at UMass
10/22/2019 2:19:00 PM | Football
by Danny Barletta
The UConn football team has its best opportunity since Week 1 against Wagner to pick up a win this weekend. UMass, like UConn, is 1-6 going into this game and is also in the midst of a very difficult season and both teams will be hungry for a win.
"The only thing that I try to focus on is doing everything we can to give our kids an opportunity," Edsall said. "Put together game plans and work our kids each and every week to try to give them an opportunity to win. That's all I'm concerned about … If we do the things that we're supposed to do, then we'll give ourselves an opportunity to win each and every Saturday."
The Huskies gave themselves a chance to win in last Saturday's tough 24-17 loss to Houston. Edsall said the first step is getting the game into the fourth quarter with a chance to win, something that UConn has struggled to do this season. They did it last week and will look to build on that this week.
"We're very hungry [for a win]," linebacker D.J. Morgan said. "After last game, it stinks because it's so close. We're a couple of plays away from blowing that game out of proportion, but it's one of those things where it's part of the learning experience. It's part of the process and we just gotta stick to the process."
Morgan said that game definitely gives the team more confidence going into this week, but the mindset doesn't change based on the opponent.
"We go into every game believing it's a winnable game," Morgan said. "We know our talent. If we just do what we have to do and cut out the little mistakes that we have, I feel like we can win each and every game. The mindset definitely doesn't change. We treat every opponent the same."
A key factor to UConn's success this week will be how freshman quarterback Jack Zergiotis performs. He struggled in his first two road games, but came back with a solid performance last week that leaves everyone hopeful that he will continue to improve.
"I thought there were things he did well last week," Edsall said. "We're working on the things he didn't do well. The thing is, he's coachable, he's a competitor, he's not afraid to work, but there's things in his game that he has to get better at. He's gonna work to do that … The more reps he gets, the better he's going to be."
Zergiotis said he feels the experiences he's had this year have prepared him for this game and he's confident going into it.
"I feel good about it and I think the team does as well," Zergiotis said. "So, we're hoping to come out with a win."
Winning seems to fix a lot, so as tough as this season has been so far for the Huskies, a win this week could change the narrative for the second half of the season.
