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There have been growing pains in UConn's upgrade, but a spurt at the end of 2002 eased some of the pain. The Huskies won their final four games to finish their third season in I-A at 6-6. The run was capped by a 37-20 victory over Iowa State in Ames. The victory sent shock waves around the country and was a strong indicator that UConn is on the rise. That trend could continue this season since 15 of 22 starters return, including tall, talented quarterback Dan Orlovsky and diminutive running back Terry Caulley. "This team has laid the groundwork for this season by what took place at the end of last season," UConn coach Randy Edsall said. OFFENSIVE KEYS: UConn has built an explosive offense around Orlovsky and Caulley. The 6-foot-5 Orlovsky has blossomed into an accurate passer and effective leader, while the diminutive Caulley, who was passed over by virtually every other Division I-A school, burst on the scene a year ago with over 1,200 yards rushing. Caulley led the nation's freshman by averaging 124.7 yards rushing per game in 2002 and capped his season with 191 yards on 32 carries in a win over Iowa State.Orlovsky missed all of spring practice with a stress fracture in his right foot, but it is not expected to affect him this fall. Orlovsky started all 12 games last season and completed 60.4 percent of his passes for more than 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns. Pro scouts have already started sniffing around Storrs. The Huskies could make the offense a three-ring circus if wide receiver Seth Fogarty, a finalist for West Virginia high school Player of the Year honors, can contribute right away. Fogarty had 110 catches for 2,003 yards and 22 touchdowns in his last two years at Morgantown High and was recruited by several major programs, including West Virginia, Penn State and Alabama. His older brother, Shane, is a quarterback at UConn. If Fogarty isn't quite ready, the Huskies have a strong group of young receivers ready to contribute. Replacing tight end Tommy Collins, the team's leading receiver in 2002, is another issue. Tim Lassen is somewhat plodding but has a knack for getting open and hanging onto the ball. DEFENSIVE KEYS: The Huskies ranked fifth in the nation in pass defense and 19th in total defense last year. The biggest improvement, though, was in points allowed. UConn gave up 35 points or more eight times in 2001 but only surrendered that many in two games last season.The Huskies welcome back eight starters, including linebacker Maurice Lloyd, the team's leading tackler in 2002, and defensive end Uyi Osunde, the team leader in sacks (9.5). The front seven also includes defensive end Tyler King, whose father, Steve, played linebacker for the Patriots in the early '70s, senior tackle Sean Mulcahy and mobile linebackers Alfred Fincher and James Hargrave. The secondary is more fluid. Injuries prevented the projected starting cornerbacks -- Justin Perkins (knee) and Marlon Jones (shoulder) -- from participating fully in spring practice. Safeties Terrance Smith and Chris Meyer provide stability. SPECIAL TEAMS: Redshirt freshman Matt Nuzie will be asked to replace Marc Hickok, who set a school record by converting 47 straight extra points. Senior punter Adam Coles, a former Australian Rules player, has a 39.8-yard career average. He needs to become a little more consistent.FINAL ANALYSIS: The Huskies created tremendous momentum by winning the last four games of the 2002 season. The cupboard in Storrs is slowly but surely being filled with Division I-A talent as the Huskies make their eventual climb to the Big East. The Huskies open against Indiana on Aug. 30 and also play Boston College (at home), Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and N.C. State. The schedule is balanced with the likes of Lehigh, Buffalo, Akron and Army, so another run at .500 or better is well within reach for the improving UConn football program.• Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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