STORRS – One week after being named starting quarterback for the UConn football team, sophomore Casey Cochran entered into his game-preparation phase on Monday.
UConn opens its first season under coach Bob Diaco Friday night (7 p.m., ESPN) against BYU in East Hartford. When the lights go on at Rentschler Field, there will be pressure on UConn to improve on last year’s 3-9 record, enormous focus on Diaco who has promised a new energy level for the Huskies, and many eyes will be on the quarterbacks from each team.
UConn starting quarterback Casey Cochran (Ken Davis photo)
Diaco selected Cochran after an intense battle with Chander Whitmer, who started the opener last season for the Huskies. Diaco has said Whitmer will also get playing time, depending on the situation.
Cochran talked Monday about the personal momentum that carries over from last season, when he started the final four games and led the Huskies to three consecutive wins. Click here to see a video with Cochran’s comments, as well as his thoughts on the offense getting off to a good start against BYU.
“I want the offensive line to set the tone, whether it’s a run play right up the middle or whatever,” tailback Max DeLorenzo said. “I want them to establish their will up front. I want to see them come out and play with confidence. Casey is full of confidence, so I don’t have to worry about him. – especially what he come off last year. We have confidence in Chandler too.”
Taysom Hill starts for the Cougars. He rushed for 1,344 yards and passed for 2,938 in 2013 and was responsible for 29 touchdowns in BYU’s fast-paced offense.
“He’s a quarterback who runs like a running back,” Diaco said Monday during UConn’s weekly press conference.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall goes a step further in describing his junior leader. rated among the top 10-20 quarterbacks in the nation.
“Hill brings speed, he brings size, he brings athleticism, he brings leadership and he brings productivity,” Mendenhall said. “I think you’ll like what you see when you have a chance to watch him play.”
For UConn fans, that will depend largely on how much success Hill has against the Huskies’ defense, led by cornerback Byron Jones, linebacker Marquise Vann, nose guard Julian Campenni, and safety Obi Melfonwu.
“They have great offensive weapons,” Jones said. “They have big receivers. They have a great running back, unfortunately one of their running backs [tailback [Jamaal Williams] isn’t going to play. But the guy just behind him is just as good. They have a lot of great offensive players. We’ve just got to do our best to stop it.”
Williams was suspended one game for a violation of the BYU honor code.
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