The Huskies first season did not get off to a great start under Coach Mora. Early on they suffered a handful of injuries to key players, including a broken foot by star wide receiver Cameron Ross and a knee injury to starting quarter back Ta'Quan Robinson in the first game of the year.
Connecticut started the season with a 1-4 record after a brutal slate to open up the campaign. But Mora's squad returned to The Rent with a chance to inflict pay back on Fresno State, who they had lost to 45-0 in the season opener the year before.
It was a sloppy game played in the rain. In the first half UConn had to settle for 2 field goals inside of the Fresno red zone and trailed 7-6 at the break. The Bulldogs opened up the second half with a TD drive, and after UConn turned it over on their first posession of the second half it looked like the game could get out of hand.
But the defense stepped up in a big way, not allowing Fresno State to enter UConn's territory for the rest of the half.
Behind a gutty second half performance by true freshman quarter back Zion Turner, UConn pulled out a 19-14 victory. After a woeful decade of only knowing how to lose tough games like this, the Huskies finally learned how to win again.
This game was a turning point, kicking off a run where UConn would win 5 of 6 games and become bowl eligible for the first time in 8 years.
The #HuskyRevolution had a number of key contributors that made the season possible.
As a unit, the offensive line was probably the team's MVP, providing great pass protection for their young quarter back and opening up holes for the running game.
On the O-line UConn had their first All-American in over a decade, Christian Haynes. He was the 6th best run blocker at this position and 1st best pass blocker at his position, across all FBS, according to Pro Football Focus.
True freshman quarter back Zion Turner played with poise all season long and CT native Victor Rosa was explosive in the running game.
The defense led the way for the Huskies, keeping them in many games down the stretch. Jackson Mitchell, aka Mr. Connecticut, was 4th in the FBS in total tackles with 140. Seniors Brandon Bouyer-Randle, Trey Wortham and Ian Swenson all made big contributions with tackling, interceptions and fumble recoveries.
The 2023 football season has already been dubbed "The Reload" in Storrs. As a number of key pieces return from last years team and a handful of impact transfers join the roster.
Visit our website www.22threads.com for more information about the episode, to view the design and to sign-up for our email list for bonus content & more!
Follow me on Twitter: @ItsMediocreDan
Watch this episode on YouTube: @itsmediocredan
This podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by The University of Connecticut, UConn, The Big East, The NCAA, any entities or any people depicted unless expressly stated.
