UConn's Impressive in Blue and White Game

EAST HARTFORD – UConn’s Darius Butler wasn’t expecting to see any time on offense for the White team on Saturday in the Blue and White scrimmage. When the coaching staff told him to get in there in the fourth quarter however he made sure his presence was felt.

Butler beat cornerback Gary Wilburn on a double move catching a game-winning 27-yard touchdown pass from Zach Frazer to lead the White team to a 21-20 victory over the Blue team before 9,700 at Rentschler Field.

It was Butler’s only catch of the game, but the praise coming out of UConn coach Randy Edsall assuredly means it won’t be his last.

“If he concentrated at wide receiver full-time he would probably be a better receiver than a defensive back,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said. “He will play during the season. When and how will be determined.”

Butler knows that he is a cornerback first, but he wasn’t surprised by what Edsall said.

“That’s what my high school coach said too,” Butler said. “I have to do what the team needs. When the coordinators want me to go in, I can provided a spark.”

The Huskies showcased a strong running game Saturday with backup redshirt freshmen Robbie Frey (14 carries, 92 yards) and Kelmetrus Wylie (14 carries, 83 yards) of the White team pushing the Huskies top two running backs in Donald Brown (8 carries 38 yards) and Andre Dixon (19 carries, 69 yards), which played on the first team.

Frey showcased speed and power on Saturday impressing Edsall.

“He is getting stronger,” Edsall said. “He is a hard runner, had good vision and when he sees a hole he has the burst to get through. But today he showed some strength.”

Frey had a touchdown as did both Dixon and Brown.

In the passing game the Huskies were without the services of starting quarterback Tyler Lorenzen meaning backup Frazer and redshirt freshman Cody Endres took turns with the first team. Frazer played the first and third periods while Endres played the second and fourth. Combined, Frazer was 16-for-27 for 272 yards including a touchdown. He also ran for a 1-yard score and threw an interception. Endres was 15-of-23 for 94 yards and an interception. Walk-on Marcus Easley was the top receiver with 69 yards on three catches for the Blue team.

The Huskies struggled on special teams. Dave Teggart missed a field goal and the punting was sporadic. Defense end Cody Brown blocked two kicks while Jasper Howard muffed a punt drawing Edsall’s ire.

The Huskies will now shutdown for the next couple of months before returning for summer camp beginning August 1st.

“I was pleased with what took place,” Edsall said. “They competed and had the right frame of mind and intensity. I was really pleased with what we accomplished this spring.”

Notre Dame coming soon

Edsall addressed the potential Notre Dame series on Saturday during his postgame press conference. The deal would include a 10 year agreement with the Irish that would play five games at neutral sites at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. and Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. instead instead of home games at Rentschler Field. There is legislation in the Connecticut legislature to stop UConn’s ability to host out of state home games.

The Irish have already put the Huskies on their future opponents schedule for Novemebr of 2009 in South Bend. The deal is all but set, but there isn’t anything signed or official right now.

“To not have the opportunity to do that, it hinders our opportunity as a football program,” Edsall said. “If I felt that in any way shape or form this wasn’t an advantage for the University of Connecticut I would have told Jeff (Hathaway) that this is not right.”

Husky Notes

• Edsall wasn’t happy with the muffed punt by Howard openly declaring that freshman recruit Jordan Todman is very much I the mix for the job as punt returner and kickoff man opposite Butler. “I can tell you right now Jordan Todman will have every opportunity to our punt and kickoff guy,” Edsall said. “Right now, Darius is one kickoff guy and Jordan is the other.”

• The Huskies elected four captains, holdover’s Butler and D.J. Hernandez and newcomers Lorenzen as well as Brown.

• Kendall Reyes had two sacks for the Blue team.

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