With a few breaks, UConn could have a better record

What is the difference between a 3-4 University of Connecticut football team and a 6-1 University of Connecticut football team?

Seven points.

How about between a 3-4 Husky squad and a 7-0 Husky squad?

Sixteen points.

The Huskies will bring a three-game losing streak to Orono for a Homecoming game Saturday against the University of Maine. Those losses were 28-27 to Towson State, 17-14 to Villanova, and 20-17 to Massachusetts.

UConn is 2-2 in the Yankee Conference.

“It’s been tough, mentally, no question about it,” said 11th-year Coach Tom Jackson. “This team has worked extremely hard. With a bounce or a break here or there, we could be 6-1.

“We have a good team. The kids know that. They’re disappointed, but they aren’t down and out. Young guys are a lot more resilient than old, battered coaches.”

“They’re a very good football team,” said UMass Coach Mike Hodges. “We were very fortunate to get out of there with a win last weekend. They have great size.”

“Their quarterback (Zeke Rodgers) is outstanding,” added Hodges. “He throws the ball extremely well and has a very quick release, which was a real problem for us. He gets the ball to his receivers in a real hurry.”

Sophomore Rodgers has completed 109 of 194 passes for 1,338 yards this season. He has thrown five TD passes and been intercepted eight times.

Rodgers’ favorite targets have been split end Monte Nowden (36 catches, 491 yards, 2 TDs) and tight end Tom Bachnonski (17, 228, 1 TD). Nowden is second in the Yankee Conference in receptions.

Flanker Mike Walker (12, 209, 1 TD) has a hamstring pull and will probably be replaced by Brian Reid (11, 71, 1 TD).

When Rodgers isn’t putting the ball in the air, he’s handing it off to tailbacks Wilbur Gilliard (556 yards, 11 TDs) or Ed Long (436 yards) or to 237-pound fullback Ed Nook.

Long sprained his ankle against UMass and is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game.

The UConn offensive line is young and huge. Center Joe Henrich (240 pounds), guards Baran Johnson (264) and Alonzo Montague (281), and tackles Sherrard Joseph (288) and Pat Walsh (291) average out to 273 pounds. Henrich, Montague, and Walsh are sophomores and Johnson is a freshman.

“Our running game has been inconsistent and part of it is due to our young offensive line,” said Jackson. “It only takes one guy to miss an assignment and we have a breakdown. But they have been very good at times.”

UConn has averaged 191.1 passing yards, 164 rushing yards, and 24.1 points per game.

The Husky defensive unit features the conference’s leading tackler in senior inside linebacker Paul Duckworth (99 tackles).

“Paul has played well for us, but we need to get more people involved,” said Jackson. “We can’t expect Paul to make all the tackles. At times our defense has been outstanding. At other times, it has had some lapses. We’re looking for more consistency as we are from our offense.”

The second- and third-leading tacklers are also linebacke

The second- and third-leading tacklers are also linebackers in OLB Bruce Bourgoin (76, including a YC-leading six sacks) and ILB Jim Reppi (62).

The next four tacklers play in the secondary.

: FS Pete Calin (53), CBs Scott Mitchell (50) and Lamont Parker (41) and SS Gary Bailey (39).

Up front, UConn will continue to be without tackles Mike McCarthy and Brian Arnold, who have knee injuries.

UConn’s defense has yielded 356.4 yards per game, seventh best in the conference. It is third in pass defense (175.1) and 11th in rushing defense (181.3). They have given up 23.1 points per game.