Connecticut Huskies in must win territory

Coach Bob Diaco’s UConn football team is in must win territory if they expect to remain on course for bowl eligibilty.

UConn (2-3 overall, 0-2 AAC) will try to get things back on track on Oct. 8 when it faces Cincinnati (3-2, 0-2) at Rentschler Field in Hartford (11:30 a.m. kickoff).

The Bearcats hold a distinct edge over the Huskies as they lead the series 10-2 and riding a five-game series winning streak.

Both teams enter the AAC battle on a down note and looking for a conference win.

The Huskies are riding a two-game losing streak the most recent loss being a 42-14 shellacking at the hands of the Houston Cougars and their Heisman Trophy candidate Greg Ward.

Tommy Tuberville’s Bearcats, with first string quarterback Hayden Moore sidelined with an ankle injury, suffered a 45-20 drubbing to South Florida.

The Huskies offense, led by quarterback Bryant Shirreffs, must find a way to get some points on the board, particularly with their first few possessions.

UConn has yet to score a point this season in the first quarter (outscored 31-0 in the first quarter this year), which has put an added burden on the Huskies defensive unit.

With Tuberville auditioning either Gunner Kiel or Ross Trail to take over the quarterback role this week, the Huskies defensive unity may be able to exploit the Bearcats unsettled situation.

Diaco will be looking to get Arkeel Newsome more involved in the offensive attack if the Huskies expect to be successful.

“We need to get him the ball,” said Diaco at his weekly presser.

“We’re underachieving period by not getting the ball to Arkeel Newsome more than we do.”

If Shirreffs and Newsome can get the offense to jell the Huskies have a great shot to win their first AAC game.

Game Notes

UConn’s Diaco was the former defensive coordinator at Cincinnati.

UConn punter Justin Wain has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Award presented by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame for the best student-athlete on and off the football field.

Starting with the Cincinnati game, UConn will need to go 4-3 if they expect to gain bowl-eligibility.

The Huskies next AAC opponent is at South Florida on Oct. 15 (7 p.m. CBS Sports Network).

The game against Cincinnati is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

and can be heard on the UConn IMG Sports Radio Network (WTIC – Hartford, 1080 AM) with Joe D’Ambrosio on the call and Wayne Norman providing color. The game will be broadcast live on the CBS Sports Network.

The game will be a White Out for all Husky fans.

It is also Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the team will be wearing special pink items on their uniforms.

The UConn Marching Band will have a special halftime show.

Follow Bob for all the UConn football game highlights, features and more: @WhitneyBob