Scouting UCONN: Defense

Kendall Reyes leads the nations 6th ranked rush defense.

Time to take a look at the UCONN defense. The Huskies run a base 4-3 defense and are one of the best units in the nation (ranked 6th) at stopping the run (allowing just 74 yards a game on the ground). While they play well up front, the secondary was torched for over 400 yards passing last week at WVU and allow an average of 274 yards a game through the air, so Daniels could have a big day. Let's see how they stack up.

Defensive Line

The defensive line for the Huskies is one of their strongest units. Starting junior defensive end Trevardo Williams (6-2 231-pounds) has 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks (getting great pressure off the edge). His back-up is senior Marcus Campbell (6-3 231-pounds). At the other end position is junior Ted Jennings (6-5 245-pounds). He has 19 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. His back-up is junior Jesse Joseph (6-3 262-pounds).

The real strength of the Huskie front line is the defensive tackle position. Senior Twyon Martin (6-2 273-pounds) has 19 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. His reserve is junior Ryan Wirth (6-2 268-pounds) who has 2 tackles on the season. Senior Kendall Reyes (6-4 295-pounds) is the real force in the middle. He has 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He will be a huge match-up problem for Chaz Hine and the guards to get him blocked and keep Daniels on his feet. Reyes's back-up is sophomore Shamar Stephen (6-5 315-pounds) who has 10 tackles and one tackle for loss (another big guy to watch).

Overall, the front line is solid for the Huskies. The ends are a bit undersized, but have solid speed and the numbers reflect that. The real strength is the defensive tackle position with Reyes leading the way. The running game of the Bulls will have a hard time in this game.

Linebackers

Another strength of the Huskies defense is the play of the linebackers. Junior Sio Moore (6-1 232-pounds) is one of the starting linebackers on the edge. He has 36 tackles, including 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and has defended 2 passes. His back-up is freshman Jefferson Ashiru (6-1 210-pounds). Junior Jory Johnson (6-1 227-pounds) leads the team with 50 tackles including 4 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Johnson is the enforcer in the middle of the field for the Huskies and plays well in coverage. Freshman Marquise Vann (6-0 225-pounds) is his reserve. Freshman Yawin Smallwood (6-2 229-pounds) is the other starting outside linebacker. He has 49 tackles including 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception. His back-up is another freshman Michael Osiecki (6-1 238-pounds).

Overall, the linebackers for UCONN are very talented both in coming up in the box to stop the run and getting back in coverage. They make a lot of tackles, showing their ability to cover the field and get to any skill player making their way down the field.

Secondary

The UCONN secondary has given up a lot of yards through the air this season, but they are still talented and will challenge the USF receivers.

Junior Blidi Wreh-Wilson is one of the starting corners (6-0 192-pounds). He has 24 tackles on the season, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one interception. Sophomore Taylor Mack (5-9 169-pounds) is his back-up. Junior Dwayne Gratz (6-0 195-pounds) is the other starter. He has 26 tackles (a lot for a corner) including 2 tackles for loss and one interception. Senior Gary Wilburn (5-11 195-pounds) is his back-up. He has 16 total tackles on the season (plays special teams as well).

Junior Jerome Junior (6-1 215-pounds) is the starter at strong safety. He has 31 tackles this season including 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, an has defended 5 passes. Gilbert St. Louis (5-11 183-pounds) is his back-up. Senior Harris Agbor (5-11 194-pounds) is the starter at free safety. He has 20 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and has defended 3 passes this season (covers well deep). Freshman Byron Jones is his back-up. He has 19 tackles and 2 interceptions, coming up big as a reserve.

Overall, the secondary has a solid group of playmakers, but they have been beaten up all year through the air. Look for Todd Fitch to take some shots and call for a lot of passing plays early to see if they can test the secondary and get some big yardage.