/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43715092/20141030_mje_sv3_578.jpg.0.jpg)
First Half Score: Army 14 UConn 7
There's hope. The start to the game was about as bad as it gets for the Huskies. The Black Knights took their first two drives and drove 89 yards for a touchdown followed by 85 yards for a touchdown. They converted 3rd down after 3rd down, and even a fake field goal on 4th down. Army had not even passed the ball one time on their first two drives, and it looked like they were not going to be stopped.
But then, Army fumbled!!! On 3rd and 2 with Army in UConn territory with just over 2 minutes left in the half, quarterback Angel Santiago went right and was hit by Jefferson Ashiru. Ashiru knocked the ball loose and Junior Joseph fell on it giving the Huskies the ball on their own 42 with 2:04 left. The UConn offense, which had not been great, started to click. Whitmer hit Noel Thomas for 26 yards all the way down to the Army 32. Then, Max DeLorenzo, yes DeLorenzo!, went 26 yards down to the Black Knights' 6 yard line. Whitmer then did the rest with his legs, picking up 4 on the ground, and then sneaking it in for a TD from the 2.
Other than that possession, the Huskies could not get much going on the offense. UConn drove into Army on their first drive of the game, but after a holding penalty and a false start, it pushed the offense out of field goal range. Tim Boyle entered the game on the third drive of the game and went 4-5 for 20 yards. At the half, Whitmer is 6-12 for 59 yards and 1 INT, and 2 rushes for 6 yards and a TD. Collectively, UConn has run for 56 yards on 8 carries.
In the second half, the UConn defense needs to eliminate the big play. It is not the worst thing if the defense keeps containing the run which can hopefully lead to an eventual Army mistake. Right now, the Black Knights have run all over the Husky defense, tallying 192 yards on 34 carries. Santiago has thrown the ball one time for 16 yards.
Offensively, I would like to see Diaco get the ball to Foxx in space more. We saw what he could do last week, and it could work again this week. Hopefully, we start to see Foxx in the wildcat when we come back for the second half. At the very least, it gives Army a different look. If we don't, I'm fine with rolling with Chandler the rest of the way.
We've got a game, folks. LETS GO
*******************
Gametime/TV: 3:30pm on CBS Sports Network
Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Broadcast Team: Ben Holden and Kevin O'Connell
Radio: WTIC-AM - Joe D'Ambrosio, Wayne Norman, Kevin Nathan
Forecast: 44, chilly and mostly sunny
History: UConn leads series 4-1
Last Meeting: 2006- UConn 21-7
For the first time this season, UConn has a legit shot at winning back-to-back games. After our first win of the year, a 19-16 nailbiter against Stony Brook, we then had to take on Mid-Major powerhouse Boise State. The Huskies played Boise tough, but could not prevail, losing 38-21. Staying level-headed, we know it would have been quite the accomplishment to knock off the now 6-2 Broncos.
Now, after an emotional 37-29 upset win on Homecoming over UCF last week, we play Army. The Black Knights, who have not had a winning season since 2010 (sound familiar?), come into the game at 2-6 with wins over Buffalo and Ball State. Earlier this season, they lost to another Connecticut team, Yale, 49-43 in overtime.
While Army's record is not great, they still run the ball extremely well with the triple option. They average 295 yards per game on the ground which ranks fifth-best in the nation. The UConn defensive line and linebackers are going to have to be smart reading the option, while the defensive backs are going to need to make open field tackles. While their run game is good, their defense is not, allowing 34.2 PPG. Chandler Whitmer CAN CARVE THESE GUYS UP.
Putting records and statistics aside, this is an outstanding moment for the UConn football program playing at Yankee Stadium. While this may not be "The House that Ruth Built," it is still historic nonetheless. Ideally, our Huskies will use energy from playing in such a great venue and combine it with the confidence from winning last week.
Yes, we are 2-6, but we are still alive for a bowl game. Just have to win out which we can!
Prediction: UConn 27, Army 13
"Play each play like it's the last play you will ever play." -Jasper Howard #6. Live 365.
LETS GO HUSKIES!!!