Connecticut Huskies vs Rhode Island Rams Recap

Most teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision work on the running game when playing a paycheck game against an opponent from the Football Championship Subdivision. For the Connecticut Huskies, it's the passing game that needed work during their final tune-up for Big East play. All in all, a team and its quarterback had to like the results they attained on a gloriously sparkling Saturday in New England.

Cody Endres might like where he stands as the month of October arrives. The fill-in for the still-injured Zach Frazer was the man who stood under the microscope more than anyone else on Coach Randy Edsall's sideline, as Saturday's scrimmage with Rhode Island commenced at Rentschler Field. Connecticut proved in its blowout of Baylor that the Huskies can cram the ball between the tackles and overpower opponents with the ground game. It was the passing attack that needed to find fuller form and function, and when the Rams of the FCS came to East Hartford, Endres was up to the challenge.

Sure, he was playing an opponent below his pay grade, but Endres still had to show that he could throw accurately, often, and productively. After 60 minutes of slinging, Endres should be a more confident field general as the Big East regular season looms on the not-too-distant horizon.

Endres completed 23-of-30 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. That's not only a clean stat sheet, but a perfect blend of the precision and potency Edsall needed to see from the man who started the season at No. 2 on the depth chart. Averaging just over 12 yards per completion on an appreciably high volume of passes, Endres performed most of his team's heavy lifting for a change. In order to take down defenses like Pittsburgh's while outscoring offenses such as Cincinnati's, UConn will need a two-pronged attack when opposing defensive coordinators load up the tackle box to take away Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. Endres's showing today--while not in a late-season Big East title tilt--gives the Huskies the knowledge that Endres can perform when asked. The challenge now is to carry the visualization of Saturday's Rhode Island romp through the next two months. If Cody Endres maintains an elevated level of quality, the Huskies could make a run at the conference crown.

Yes, the boys in blue will have to protect the ball a lot better; UConn--it has to be noted--committed seven fumbles against Rhode Island, losing three. Nevertheless, Saturday showed that a No. 2 quarterback can post No. 1-level results. If Randy Edsall's new leader under center stays the course, who knows how special this 4-0 season could ultimately become.

> Find a great selection of UCONN Huskies clothing & apparel and more online along with UCONN Jerseys from Big East Fans partner sites.

By Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer