Football: Huskies look to avenge loss

North Carolina’s 2008 matchup against Connecticut was an embarrassment for both teams.

UNC had to deal with a 22-minute delay after the Kenan Stadium lights shorted out, and the Huskies had to endure a 38-12 whooping.

So for the rematch in 2009 in Storrs, Conn., the Huskies (1-0) are looking for a little revenge.

It’s almost a reversal of fortunes for North Carolina, which comes into the second game of the season with a top-20 ranking and is fresh off thumping an inferior opponent in The Citadel.

“The challenge is dramatically different than a week ago,” coach Butch Davis said. “Their football team is reflective of the success they’ve had. They were sixth in the nation last year in total defense.”

In 2008, UConn took a No. 24 ranking and a series of wins against Big East teams to face the Tar Heels on their home field.

This time around, UNC is away, the higher-ranked team and facing its first BCS opponent of the season on a hostile field.

And while UConn was picked to finish sixth in the Big East in 2009, the Huskies return six defensive starters from a squad that went 8-5 last season.

If North Carolina (1-0) expects to dominate in 2009 the same way they did in 2008, things will have to start with the defensive line. In 2008, the Tar Heels routinely pressured and flustered Zach Frazer, forcing three interceptions.

In fact, UNC’s line has been tabbed as a strength this season — especially after manhandling a much smaller Citadel offensive line in the first game.

But at UConn, the Huskies’ offensive line is much more imposing.

That unit sports three starters who stand at or taller than 6 foot, 6 inches and tip the scales at more than 310 pounds. Every starter on the offensive line in UConn’s first game had spent at least three years in the program.

That’s a sizable difference from the undermanned Citadel and one more comparable to the challenges UNC’s defense will face for the rest of the season. It should prove an interesting barometer for the Tar Heels.

UNC’s focus in preparation has been the two-headed UConn rushing attack. Despite losing Donald Brown, a first-round pick in last summer’s NFL draft, the Huskies had two backs rush for more than 100 yards in the season-opener against Ohio. Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon combined for 257 yards.

“One of the things that just immediately jumps off the film is their ability to hit home runs,” Davis said of the backs. “They are very fast.”

Davis added that Todman and Dixon, when seen on film, reminded the coaching staff and players of the backs UNC saw at Miami last season — when Hurricane’s tailback Graig Cooper lit up UNC for 110 rushing yards.


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.