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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{NCAATeamFootballSeason
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
|Year=2008
{{Infobox NCAA team season
|Team=Connecticut Huskies
|Image=
|sport=football
|ImageSize=150
|year=2008
|team=Connecticut Huskies
|Conference=Big East Conference
|image=ConnecticutHuskiesBlockC.png
|Division=
|image_size=105px
|ShortConference=Big East
|conference=Big East Conference
|conference_link=Big East Conference (1979–2013)
|division=
|short_conf=Big East
|CoachRank=
|CoachRank=
|APRank=
|APRank=
|BCSRank=25
|BCSRank=
|Record=6-2
|record=8–5
|conf_record=3–4
|ConfRecord=2-1
|HeadCoach=[[Randy Edsall]]
|head_coach=[[Randy Edsall]]
|hc_year=10th
|OffCoach=[[Rob Ambrose]]
|DefCoach=[[Todd Orlando]]
|off_coach=[[Rob Ambrose]]
|OScheme=
|oc_year=3rd
|def_coach=[[Todd Orlando]]
|DScheme=
|dc_year=4th
|StadiumArena=[[Rentschler Field]] (40,000)
|off_scheme=[[Multiple offense|Multiple]]
|Champion=
|def_scheme=[[3–4 defense|3–4]]
|BowlTourney=
|stadium=[[Rentschler Field (stadium)|Rentschler Field]]
|BowlTourneyResult=
|champion=International Bowl champion
|bowl=[[2009 International Bowl|International Bowl]]
|bowl_result=W 38–20 vs. [[2008 Buffalo Bulls football team|Buffalo]]
}}
}}
{{2008 Big East football standings}}
{{2008 Big East football standings}}
The '''2008 Connecticut Huskies football team''' represented the [[University of Connecticut]] in the [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season]] as a member of the [[Big East Conference (1979–2013)|Big East Conference]]. The team was coached by [[Randy Edsall]] and played its home games at [[Rentschler Field (stadium)|Rentschler Field]] in [[East Hartford, Connecticut]].

The '''2008 [[Connecticut Huskies]] football team''' represents the [[University of Connecticut]] in the [[2008 college football season]] as a member of the [[Big East Conference]]. The team is coached by [[Randy Edsall]] and plays its home games at [[Rentschler Field]] in [[East Hartford, Connecticut]].


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank|rankyear=2007|tv=}}
| rankyear = 2008
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| poll = AP
| date = August 28, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/MainLinks/Schedules/viewsched.asp?Sport=MFootball&Season=F07 |title=www.UConnHuskies.com |publisher=Uconnhuskies.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref>
| time = 7:00pm
| timezone = Eastern

| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| date = August 28
| time = 7:00&nbsp;pm
| away =
| neutral =
| w/l = w
| rank =
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[Hofstra University|Hofstra]]
| opponent = [[2008 Hofstra Pride football team|Hofstra]]
| site_stadium = [[Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field|Rentschler Field]]
| opprank =
| site_cityst = [[East Hartford, Connecticut|East Hartford, CT]]
| site_stadium = [[Rentschler Field]]
| site_cityst = [[East Hartford, CT]]
| tv = [[ESPN Events|ESPN Plus]]
| gamename =
| score = 35-3
| attend = 37,583
| tv = [[ESPN Plus]]
| score = 35-3
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 6, 2008
| date = September 6
| time = 12:00pm
| time = 12:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Temple Owls football team|Temple]]
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[Temple University|Temple]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Lincoln Financial Field]]
| site_stadium = [[Lincoln Financial Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Philadelphia, PA]]
| site_cityst = [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, PA]]
| tv = [[ESPNU College Football|ESPNU]]
| gamename =
| score = 12–9
| tv = [[ESPNU]]
| score = 12-9
| overtime = OT
| overtime = OT
| attend = 17,194
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 13, 2008
| date = September 13
| time = 7:30pm
| time = 7:30&nbsp;pm
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team|Virginia]]
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[University of Virginia|Virginia]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| gamename =
| tv = ESPNU
| tv = ESPNU
| score = 45–10
| score = 45-10
| attend = 40,000
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 19, 2008
| date = September 19
| time = 8:00pm
| time = 8:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[2008 Baylor Bears football team|Baylor]]
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[Baylor University|Baylor]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| tv = [[ESPN2]]
| gamename =
| score = 31–28
| tv = [[ESPN 2]]
| score = 31-28
| attend = 38,870
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 26, 2008
| date = September 26
| time = 8:00pm
| time = 8:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = no
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Louisville Cardinals football team|Louisville]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = [[L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium|Papa John's Cardinal Stadium]]
| away = yes
| site_cityst = [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville, KY]]
| neutral =
| rank =
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 26–21
| opponent = [[University of Louisville|Louisville]]
| opprank =
| attend = 42,523
| site_stadium = [[Papa John's Cardinal Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Louisville, Kentucky]]
| gamename =
| tv = ESPN 2
| score = 26-21
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 4, 2008
| date = October 4
| time = 7pm
| time = 7:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| away = y
| away = yes
| rank = 24
| opponent = [[2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| neutral =
| rank =24
| opponent = [[University of North Carolina|North Carolina]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Kenan Memorial Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Kenan Memorial Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Chapel Hill, NC]]
| site_cityst = [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill, NC]]
| gamename =
| tv = ESPN2
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 38–12
| score = 38-12
| attend = 59,500
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18, 2008
| date = October 18
| time = 12pm
| time = 12:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf = no
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team|Rutgers]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = [[SHI Stadium|Rutgers Stadium]]
| away = yes
| site_cityst = [[Piscataway, New Jersey|Piscataway, NJ]]
| neutral =
| rank =
| tv = ESPNU
| score = 12–10
| opponent = [[Rutgers University|Rutgers]]
| opprank =
| attend = 42,491
| site_stadium = [[Rutgers Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Piscataway, NJ]]
| gamename =
| tv = ESPNU
| score = 12-10
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 25, 2008
| date = October 25
| time = 12pm
| time = 12:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = no
| homecoming = y
| opponent = [[2008 Cincinnati Bearcats football team|Cincinnati]]
| homecoming = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[University of Cincinnati|Cincinnati]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| tv = [[ESPN Plus|BEN]]
| gamename =
| score = 40–16
| tv = [[Big East Network]]
| score = 40-16
| attend = 40,000
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 1, 2008
| date = November 1
| time = 12pm
| time = 12:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l =
| w/l = l
| opponent = [[2008 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
| nonconf = no
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[University of West Virginia|West Virginia]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| gamename =
| tv = BEN
| score = 35–13
| tv = [[My Network TV]]
| score =
| attend = 40,000
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 15, 2008
| date = November 15
| time = TBA
| time = 7:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = no
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Syracuse Orange football team|Syracuse]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = [[JMA Wireless Dome|Carrier Dome]]
| away = yes
| site_cityst = [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse, NY]]
| neutral =
| gamename = [[Syracuse–UConn rivalry#Football|rivalry]]
| rank =
| tv = ESPNU
| opponent = [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]]
| opprank =
| score = 39–14
| attend = 28,081
| site_stadium = [[Carrier Dome]]
| site_cityst = [[Syracuse, NY]]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 23, 2008
| date = November 23
| time = 8:00pm
| time = 8:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l =
| w/l = l
| nonconf = no
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 South Florida Bulls football team|South Florida]]
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[University of South Florida|South Florida]]
| opprank = 13
| site_stadium = [[Raymond James Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Raymond James Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Tampa Bay, Florida]]
| site_cityst = [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa, FL]]
| tv = [[ESPN College Football|ESPN]]
| gamename =
| score = 17–13
| tv = [[ESPN]]
| score =
| attend = 42,422
| overtime =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 6, 2008
| date = December 6
| time = TBA
| time = 12:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l =
| w/l = l
| opponent = [[2008 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh]]
| nonconf = no
| homecoming =
| opprank = 23
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]]
| opprank = 23
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_stadium = Rentschler Field
| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT
| site_cityst = East Hartford, T
| gamename =
| tv = ESPN
| score = 34–10
| tv = [[ESPN]] or [[ESPN 2]]
| score =
| attend = 39,535
}}
| overtime =
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = January 3
| time = 12:00&nbsp;pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| opponent = [[2008 Buffalo Bulls football team|Buffalo]]
| site_stadium = [[Rogers Centre]]
| site_cityst = [[Toronto|Toronto, ON]]
| gamename = [[2009 International Bowl|International Bowl]]
| tv = ESPN
| score = 38–20
| attend = 40,184
}}
}}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/MainLinks/Schedules/viewsched.asp?Sport=MFootball&Season=F07|title=www.UConnHuskies.com|publisher=University of Connecticut Department of Athletics|access-date=September 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223091037/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/MainLinks/Schedules/viewsched.asp?Sport=MFootball&Season=F07|archive-date=December 23, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Game summaries==


===Hofstra===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Hofstra
|R1=0
|R2=0
|R3=3
|R4=0
|Home='''Connecticut'''
|H1=14
|H2=14
|H3=0
|H4=7
}}
}}
Making their 2008 season debut, the Huskies came out strong scoring 14 points in each of the first two quarters en route to a 35–3 victory against FCS opponent Hofstra. In the game, Donald Brown rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns before giving way to Robbie Frey who added a score of his own. UConn also extended their home winning streak to 8 games extending back to last season.
{{CFB Schedule End|rank|poll=the [[AP Poll]]|timezone=[[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]]}}
{{Clear}}


===Temple===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road='''Connecticut'''
|R1=0
|R2=0
|R3=0
|R4=6
|R5=6
|Home=Temple
|H1=3
|H2=3
|H3=0
|H4=0
|H5=3
}}
As UConn took the show on the road, conditions were less than ideal as [[Hurricane Hanna (2008)|Hurricane Hanna]] (in a weakened state) made her presence felt in Philadelphia. The game which was billed by Temple as UConn/Temple II didn't really live up to the hype of the controversial game last year. In a game which was largely played within the 20s, Donald Brown rushed for a career-high 214 yards, and the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Place kicker Tony Ciaravino added two field goals to give UConn their twelve-point total for the day.
{{Clear}}


===Virginia===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Virginia
|R1=0
|R2=0
|R3=3
|R4=7
|Home='''Connecticut'''
|H1=7
|H2=21
|H3=14
|H4=3
}}
Junior tailback Donald Brown rushed for over 200 yards for the second consecutive week and senior quarterback Tyler Lorenzen had a terrific game running the Connecticut offense as the Huskies manhandled Virginia, 45–10, in a non-conference football game played before a sellout crowd of 40,000 at Rentschler Field.
{{Clear}}


===Baylor===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Baylor
|R1=7
|R2=7
|R3=7
|R4=7
|Home='''Connecticut'''
|H1=0
|H2=14
|H3=10
|H4=7
}}
Junior tailback Donald Brown scored on a three-yard run with 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Connecticut defense held Baylor on fourth down with less than a minute to play as the Huskies hung on to defeat the Bears, 31–28, before a crowd of 38,870 at Rentschler Field.
{{Clear}}


===Louisville===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road='''Connecticut'''
|R1=3
|R2=7
|R3=7
|R4=9
|Home=Louisville
|H1=0
|H2=14
|H3=7
|H4=0
}}
The Huskies took the show on the road to start a very long, and potentially very rewarding three game road trip. The defense for UConn was less than stellar allowing 508 yards of offense, almost double their own output. The shining light for the Huskies was [[Donald Brown (running back)|Donald Brown]], who rushed for 190 yards and a touchdown. When he was given the ball, he made things happen time and time again. The injury bug also hit the Huskies and hit them hard. Starting quarterback Tyler Lorenzen suffered a broken foot early in the second quarter paving the way for Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazier to take over the helm. Later in the third quarter, senior tight end Steve Brouse suffered a broken fibula. Despite the injuries to two of their senior offensive leaders, the Huskies rallied late behind Frazier and two way player [[Darius Butler]]. Trailing by one point with 2:45 left in the game, Linebacker Lawrence Wilson picked off Cardinal's quarterback [[Hunter Cantwell]] and went 45 yards the other way to put UConn up 26–21, with the two-point conversion being unsuccessful. The UConn defense held strong on the ensuing possession, sealing the victory, and the Huskies second consecutive 5–0 start.
{{Clear}}

==International Bowl==
{{main|2009 International Bowl}}
The Huskies had a great season and were invited to their third bowl game in school history for the second straight year. On January 3, 2009, they played the University of Buffalo Bulls in the International Bowl in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada. The Huskies started off committing sloppy turnovers in the first half but would go on to win the game 38–20. Steve Brouse caught the only touchdown pass of the game while running back Donald Brown rushed for 261 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown. He was named the MVP of the game and after the game he decided to forgo his senior season to enter the [[2009 NFL draft]].

==2009 Draft==
Four players on the 2008 UConn football team were selected in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25, 2009. Donald Brown was selected at #27 by the [[Indianapolis Colts]], Darius Butler was selected by the New England Patriots at #41, [[Will Beatty]] and [[Cody Brown]] were selected late in the 2nd round at #60 (Will Beatty, New York Giants) and #63 (Cody Brown, Arizona Cardinals).

After the Draft, four other Huskies signed free agent contracts with NFL Teams. Those Huskies include: [[Julius Williams]] (Jacksonville Jaguars), [[Dahna Deleston]] (Chicago Bears), [[Tyler Lorenzen]] (Jacksonville Jaguars), and [[Keith Gray]] (Carolina Panthers)

On May 2, 2009, Senior [[Martin Bédard]] was taken in the second round of the CFL [[Canadian Football League]] Draft by the [[Montreal Alouettes]]

==Rankings==

{{See also|2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings}}

{{NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
| harrisfirstweek = 5 | bcsfirstweek=8 | finalpollweek = 15
| AP_pre = NR
| AP_1 = NR
| AP_2 = NR
| AP_3 = NR
| AP_4 = NR
| AP_5 = 24
| AP_6 = NR
| AP_7 = NR
| AP_8 = NR
| AP_9 = NR
| AP_10 = NR
| AP_11 = NR
| AP_12 = NR
| AP_13 = NR
| AP_14 = NR
| AP_15 = NR
| coaches_pre = NR
| coaches_1 = NR
| coaches_2 = NR
| coaches_3 = NR
| coaches_4 = NR
| coaches_5 = 23
| coaches_6 = NR
| coaches_7 = NR
| coaches_8 = NR
| coaches_9 = NR
| coaches_10 = NR
| coaches_11 = NR
| coaches_12 = NR
| coaches_13 = NR
| coaches_14 = NR
| coaches_15 =
| harris_5 = 24
| harris_6 = NR
| harris_7 = NR
| harris_8 = NR
| harris_9 = NR
| harris_10 = NR
| harris_11 = NR
| harris_12 = NR
| harris_13 = NR
| harris_14 = NR
| harris_15 =
| bcs_8 = NR
| bcs_9 = 25
| bcs_10 = NR
| bcs_11 = NR
| bcs_12 = NR
| bcs_13 = NR
| bcs_14 = NR
| bcs_15 =
}}

==Team awards==
The 2008 Connecticut Huskies post season team awards were handed out during their annual team banquet.<ref name="TheDay.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=29706d4b-7d86-48fd-b1fb-2f24a510175d|title=UConn Huskies Notebook|last=Banning|first=Chuck|date=December 23, 2008|access-date=December 24, 2008|newspaper=[[The Day (New London)|New London Day]]}}</ref> The award winners were:
*'''Most Valuable Player'''
:[[Donald Brown (running back)|Donald Brown]]
*'''Offensive Player of the Year'''
:Donald Brown
*'''Defensive Player of the Year'''
:Cody Brown
*'''Special Teams Player of the Year'''
:Robbie Frey
*'''Joseph M. Giannelli Unsung Hero Award'''
:William Beatty and Dahna Deleston
*'''John L. Toner Scholar Athlete Award'''
:Keith Gray
*'''Football Alumni Award'''
:Tyler Lorenzen and Steve Brouse
*'''Kendall Madison Award'''
:[[Darius Butler]]
*'''Brian Kozlowski Award'''
:Julius Williams

==Roster==
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
|-
! colspan="7" style="background-color:#192f6b;color:white;text-align:center;" | UConn Huskies Roster
|-
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks'''
* {{player|12}} [[Cody Endres]]
* {{player|10}} [[Zach Frazer]]
* {{player|4}} [[Tyler Lorenzen]]
'''Running backs'''
* {{player|34}} [[Donald Brown (running back)|Donald Brown]]
* {{player|2}} [[Andre Dixon]]
* {{player|44}} [[Robbie Frey]]
* {{player|23}} [[Jordan Todman]]
* {{player|49}} [[Anthony Sherman]] FB

'''Wide receivers'''
* {{player|87}} [[Ellis Gaulden]]
* {{player|82}} [[Kashif Moore]]
* {{player|14}} [[D.J. Hernandez]]
* {{player|3}} [[Brad Kanuch]]
* {{player|1}} [[Darius Butler]]
* {{player|19}} [[Erik Muschette]]
* {{player|29}} [[Marcus Easley]]
* {{player|85}} [[Kevin Poles]]

'''Tight ends'''
* {{player|90}} [[Steve Brouse]]
* {{player|91}} [[Martin Bédard]]
* {{player|84}} [[Yianni Apostolakos]]
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive linemen'''
* {{player|64}} [[William Beatty (American football)|Will Beatty]] LT
* {{player|73}} Dan Ryan LT
* {{player|57}} [[Moe Petrus]] LG
* {{player|69}} [[Trey Tonsing]] LG
* {{player|68}} [[Keith Gray]] C
* {{player|70}} [[Gary Bardzak]] C
* {{player|78}} [[Zach Hurd]] RG
* {{player|66}} [[Matheiu Oliver]] RG
* {{player|79}} Mike Hicks RT
* {{player|72}} Mike Ryan RT

'''Defensive linemen'''
* {{player|45}} [[Julius Williams]] DE
* {{player|9}} [[Lindsey Witten]] DE
* {{player|65}} [[Robert Lunn|Rob Lunn]] DT
* {{player|4}} [[Twyon Martin]] DT
* {{player|54}} [[Alex Polito]] DT
* {{player|99}} [[Kendall Reyes]] DT
* {{player|50}} [[Cody Brown]] DE
* {{player|26}} Marcus Campbell DE
'''Linebackers'''
* {{player|32}} [[Scott Lutrus]] Husky LB
* {{player|10}} Greg Robinson Husky LB
* {{player|19}} [[Kijuan Dabney]] Husky LB
* {{player|95}} Greg Lloyd MLB
* {{player|31}} [[C.J. Marck]] MLB
* {{player|8}} [[Lawrence Wilson]] WLB
* {{player|18}} [[Aaron Bryant]] WLB
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Defensive backs'''
* {{player|1}} [[Darius Butler]] CB
* {{player|20}} [[Terry Baltimore]] CB
* {{player|33}} Robert Vaughn S
* {{player|27}} [[Aaron Bagsby]] S
* {{player|36}} [[Dahna Deleston]] S
* {{player|7}} [[Glen Mourning]] S
* {{player|6}} [[Jasper Howard]] CB
* {{player|42}} [[Robert McClain]] CB

'''Special teams'''
* {{player|97}} [[Tony Ciaravino]] K
* {{player|38}} [[David Teggart]] K
* {{player|13}} [[Desi Cullen]] P

<br>
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{UConn Huskies football navbox}}
[[Category:2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season|Connecticut]]

[[Category:2008 Big East Conference football season|Connecticut]]
[[Category:UConn Huskies football seasons]]
[[Category:International Bowl champion seasons]]
[[Category:2008 in sports in Connecticut|Connecticut Huskies football]]

Latest revision as of 17:04, 19 August 2024

2008 Connecticut Huskies football
International Bowl champion
ConferenceBig East Conference
Record8–5 (3–4 Big East)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRob Ambrose (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorTodd Orlando (4th season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumRentschler Field
Seasons
← 2007
2009 →
2008 Big East Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 17 Cincinnati $   6 – 1     11 – 3  
Pittsburgh   5 – 2     9 – 4  
No. 23 West Virginia   5 – 2     9 – 4  
Rutgers   5 – 2     8 – 5  
Connecticut   3 – 4     8 – 5  
South Florida   2 – 5     8 – 5  
Louisville   1 – 6     5 – 7  
Syracuse   1 – 6     3 – 9  
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008 Connecticut Huskies football team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the Big East Conference. The team was coached by Randy Edsall and played its home games at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 287:00 pmHofstra*
ESPN PlusW 35-337,583
September 612:00 pmat Temple*
ESPNUW 12–9 OT17,194
September 137:30 pmVirginia*
  • Rentschler Field
  • East Hartford, CT
ESPNUW 45–1040,000
September 198:00 pmBaylor*
  • Rentschler Field
  • East Hartford, CT
ESPN2W 31–2838,870
September 268:00 pmat Louisville
ESPN2W 26–2142,523
October 47:00 pmat North Carolina*No. 24
ESPN2L 38–1259,500
October 1812:00 pmat Rutgers
ESPNUL 12–1042,491
October 2512:00 pmCincinnatidagger
  • Rentschler Field
  • East Hartford, CT
BENW 40–1640,000
November 112:00 pmWest Virginia
  • Rentschler Field
  • East Hartford, CT
BENL 35–1340,000
November 157:00 pmat Syracuse
ESPNUW 39–1428,081
November 238:00 pmat South Florida
ESPNL 17–1342,422
December 612:00 pmNo. 23 Pittsburgh
  • Rentschler Field
  • East Hartford, T
ESPNL 34–1039,535
January 312:00 pmvs. Buffalo*
ESPNW 38–2040,184
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[1]

Game summaries

[edit]

Hofstra

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Hofstra 0 0 3 0 3
Connecticut 14 14 0 7 35

Making their 2008 season debut, the Huskies came out strong scoring 14 points in each of the first two quarters en route to a 35–3 victory against FCS opponent Hofstra. In the game, Donald Brown rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns before giving way to Robbie Frey who added a score of his own. UConn also extended their home winning streak to 8 games extending back to last season.

Temple

[edit]
1 2 3 4OT Total
Connecticut 0 0 0 66 12
Temple 3 3 0 03 9

As UConn took the show on the road, conditions were less than ideal as Hurricane Hanna (in a weakened state) made her presence felt in Philadelphia. The game which was billed by Temple as UConn/Temple II didn't really live up to the hype of the controversial game last year. In a game which was largely played within the 20s, Donald Brown rushed for a career-high 214 yards, and the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Place kicker Tony Ciaravino added two field goals to give UConn their twelve-point total for the day.

Virginia

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 0 0 3 7 10
Connecticut 7 21 14 3 45

Junior tailback Donald Brown rushed for over 200 yards for the second consecutive week and senior quarterback Tyler Lorenzen had a terrific game running the Connecticut offense as the Huskies manhandled Virginia, 45–10, in a non-conference football game played before a sellout crowd of 40,000 at Rentschler Field.

Baylor

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Baylor 7 7 7 7 28
Connecticut 0 14 10 7 31

Junior tailback Donald Brown scored on a three-yard run with 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Connecticut defense held Baylor on fourth down with less than a minute to play as the Huskies hung on to defeat the Bears, 31–28, before a crowd of 38,870 at Rentschler Field.

Louisville

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Connecticut 3 7 7 9 26
Louisville 0 14 7 0 21

The Huskies took the show on the road to start a very long, and potentially very rewarding three game road trip. The defense for UConn was less than stellar allowing 508 yards of offense, almost double their own output. The shining light for the Huskies was Donald Brown, who rushed for 190 yards and a touchdown. When he was given the ball, he made things happen time and time again. The injury bug also hit the Huskies and hit them hard. Starting quarterback Tyler Lorenzen suffered a broken foot early in the second quarter paving the way for Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazier to take over the helm. Later in the third quarter, senior tight end Steve Brouse suffered a broken fibula. Despite the injuries to two of their senior offensive leaders, the Huskies rallied late behind Frazier and two way player Darius Butler. Trailing by one point with 2:45 left in the game, Linebacker Lawrence Wilson picked off Cardinal's quarterback Hunter Cantwell and went 45 yards the other way to put UConn up 26–21, with the two-point conversion being unsuccessful. The UConn defense held strong on the ensuing possession, sealing the victory, and the Huskies second consecutive 5–0 start.

International Bowl

[edit]
Main article: 2009 International Bowl

The Huskies had a great season and were invited to their third bowl game in school history for the second straight year. On January 3, 2009, they played the University of Buffalo Bulls in the International Bowl in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Huskies started off committing sloppy turnovers in the first half but would go on to win the game 38–20. Steve Brouse caught the only touchdown pass of the game while running back Donald Brown rushed for 261 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown. He was named the MVP of the game and after the game he decided to forgo his senior season to enter the 2009 NFL draft.

2009 Draft

[edit]

Four players on the 2008 UConn football team were selected in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25, 2009. Donald Brown was selected at #27 by the Indianapolis Colts, Darius Butler was selected by the New England Patriots at #41, Will Beatty and Cody Brown were selected late in the 2nd round at #60 (Will Beatty, New York Giants) and #63 (Cody Brown, Arizona Cardinals).

After the Draft, four other Huskies signed free agent contracts with NFL Teams. Those Huskies include: Julius Williams (Jacksonville Jaguars), Dahna Deleston (Chicago Bears), Tyler Lorenzen (Jacksonville Jaguars), and Keith Gray (Carolina Panthers)

On May 2, 2009, Senior Martin Bédard was taken in the second round of the CFL Canadian Football League Draft by the Montreal Alouettes

Rankings

[edit]
See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP—————24——————————
Coaches—————23—————————
HarrisNot released24—————————Not released
BCSNot released—25—————Not released

Team awards

[edit]

The 2008 Connecticut Huskies post season team awards were handed out during their annual team banquet.[2] The award winners were:

  • Most Valuable Player
Donald Brown
  • Offensive Player of the Year
Donald Brown
  • Defensive Player of the Year
Cody Brown
  • Special Teams Player of the Year
Robbie Frey
  • Joseph M. Giannelli Unsung Hero Award
William Beatty and Dahna Deleston
  • John L. Toner Scholar Athlete Award
Keith Gray
  • Football Alumni Award
Tyler Lorenzen and Steve Brouse
  • Kendall Madison Award
Darius Butler
  • Brian Kozlowski Award
Julius Williams

Roster

[edit]
UConn Huskies Roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams


References

[edit]
  1. ^ "www.UConnHuskies.com". University of Connecticut Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  2. ^ Banning, Chuck (December 23, 2008). "UConn Huskies Notebook". New London Day. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
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