STORRS | Everyone in the UConn program agrees that if the Huskies are to become consistent winners at the Division I-A level, their running game simply has to improve. As strong as their passing game has been -- it accounts for nearly 300 yards per game -- the Huskies must move the ball on the ground, if for no other reason than to keep their opponents honest.
If Saturday's 38-35 breakthrough victory over Akron is any indication, UConn (3-4) is finally on the right track.
Even after starting tailback Taber Small went down with an injury and backup Chandler Poole was suspended for violating team rules, the Huskies still found a way to run for their second-highest total of the season.
The reason was freshman Evan Benson. The 18-year-old from Marietta, Ga., carried the ball 19 times for 70 yards, including 43 huge ones on the game-winning drive.
"The two running backs did a good job. Taber (18 carries, 54 yards) ran hard," Edsall said. "Evan got stronger as the game went on and gained more confidence as the game went on."
His playing time was unexpected, but Benson certainly appreciated the opportunity.
"It just kind of happened," Benson said. "If someone would have told me before the game that I would have 19 carries, I would have laughed at them. Taber had to come out for a little bit and I just got a few more carries than I expected. It was OK by me, though."
Benson, who is listed at 5-foot-10 in the program but must have been on his tippy toes during the measurement, was slated to play sparingly. But he was forced into full-time duty when Small went down. The Huskies' junior starter sustained a sprained ankle during warm-ups and then suffered a "stinger" in his shoulder during the third quarter.
Although he should be able to start in this Saturday's home game against South Florida (1:30 p.m.), Benson had to shoulder the load down the stretch against Akron.
He delivered with runs of 9 and 12 on the final drive, helping the Huskies move from their own 17-yard line all the way to the Akron 13 in 11 plays.
Although they may have scored a touchdown on the drive with more time, Geoff Heyl came on to give the Huskies a win with a 30-yard field goal.
"The last drive really shows the maturity of the football team," Edsall said. "We had opportunities earlier in the year in that same situation and we didn't execute and get it done."
The execution by Benson was probably the biggest surprise to the Zips, who likely didn't spend much time scouting a 163-pound runner who had carried the ball just five times for five yards prior to the game.
Even after seeing names like Small, Poole and even fellow freshman Jason Dellaselva and Chris Bellamy mentioned before his early in the season, Benson knew he still had something to offer the Huskies.
"I haven't been frustrated at all. I've always felt that if I got a chance, I could contribute," Benson said. "I just never expected to contribute that much in a crucial situation like that. It just happened that the line did a great job and I was just in there to run the ball."
The Huskies' rushing total of 106 net yards was hardly eye-opening. After all, their opponents rushed for 289. But any threat UConn can present in the form of a rushing attack is an improvement. That has been part of the team's game plan every week this season, but it often never materializes.
"In these first few games, we've gone to the pass a lot. But the game plan this past week was to run the ball," said Benson, who was wearing a protective boot on his right foot Monday but said his injury was just a deep bruise. "I think we did kind of surprise them a little bit. . . . Early in the week, the coaches were stressing to us that we were going to run the ball. We knew that we needed to run the ball to beat them. That confidence, and the line just doing a great job, made the difference."
UConn's performance on Saturday night was preceded by a ground-breaking ceremony for the team's new stadium in East Hartford Friday afternoon and a trip by the squad to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, earlier Saturday.
Those events, combined with a big road win, had Edsall extremely pleased about the direction his program is headed in.
"This was the kind of game we needed," Edsall said. "It was a kind of game that our players needed, from the standpoint that we went against a team that had better talent than we did. I've been waiting for the time that we got a win like this, to show them that all the things we're doing are the right things."
SHORT NOTEBOOK, TOO....
POOLE OUT -- Freshman running back Chandler Poole was suspended from the team before the team's win over Akron for violating an unspecified team rule.
While not revealing any details of the incident, head coach Randy Edsall said Poole's transgression was not serious enough for him to dismiss the tailback from the team.
It is very unlikely, Edsall did say, that Poole will play again this season.
Poole, who has played in four games, rushing for 37 yards on 19 carries, will continue to practice with the Huskies.
INJURY UPDATE -- Tommy Collins, a sophomore whose move from tight end to fullback prior to the season has helped diversify UConn's passing attack, may miss Saturday's home game with South Florida because of a hamstring injury suffered against Akron.
Collins, whom Edsall said was "doubtful" for Saturday, was moved up on the depth chart to the starting long snapper spot, but that job may revert back to center Corey Derfuss.
Collins has three receiving touchdowns this year but has yet to run the ball.
The only other injury of note for the Huskies is senior defensive end Jamar Wilkins' sprained ankle. Edsall said Wilkins is questionable for the South Florida game.
GAME BALLS -- The Huskies, who usually hand out game balls to one player from each unit after a win, rewarded four players this week.
Rookie running back Evan Benson (17 carries, 70 yards) won the offensive award, linebacker Kamari Stroman (7 tackles, forced fumble) won the defensive honor, and kicker Geoff Heyl and holder Luke Richmond shared the special teams honor.
Of the final kick that Heyl and Richmond produced after a poor snap from center, questionable blocking up front and no time to think, Edsall said: "Even after watching that on tape, I still have no idea how that kick went through the uprights."
TICKETS LEFT -- There are still some tickets remaining for the 1:30 p.m. game in Storrs Saturday against the Bulls of South Florida.
UConn officials would not say how many remain but it is likely very few. Both of UConn's previous home games this season were advance sellouts.
