As Jim Mora’s UConn football revolution begins, here are three key questions that must be answered before the season opener
UConn football fall camp starts Friday with the much-anticipated first game of the Jim Mora “revolution” less than a month away.
Since Mora arrived in Storrs last spring he has almost completely retooled the coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Lou Spanos, who served as interim head coach for the final 10 games of 2021, is the only returnee. Matt King, director of strength and conditioning, is also back for his third season in Storrs.
The offseason has been filled with excitement as the Huskies added a slew of transfers and commitments likely to make an impact right away. But anyone expecting Mora and his staff to come in and immediately start winning big may end up disappointed. The Huskies haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2015 when they finished 6-7.
The 2022 schedule begins at Utah State on Aug. 27 before the Huskies welcome fans back to Rentschler Field for games against Central Connecticut State and Syracuse on Sept. 3 and 10. UConn will hit the road for games at Michigan (Sept. 17) and North Carolina State (Sept. 24). Other notable games include Homecoming against Boston College Oct. 29, and Army to end the season Nov. 19.
Here are three key questions Mora needs answered before Week One:
1. Who will be the Huskies’ starting quarterback?
Steven Krajewski, UConn’s primary signal caller in 2021, transferred to Georgia State May 17, leaving the position wide open. Ta’Quan Roberson, who transferred to UConn from Penn State in December, seems to be the favorite for the job in a QB room packed with transfers.
Roberson, a redshirt junior, played in three games at Penn State last year and completed 11 of 28 passes for 85 yards. He also ran the ball 12 times for 24 yards.
“I knew who he was, because I followed recruiting,” Mora told The Courant in February. “A four-star kid out of one of the best high school programs in the country. When he popped in the portal, this was a guy we needed to try to connect with immediately. We were able to get him in here and show him what the plan would be for him and, I’ll tell you, he’s a really great kid. He’s impressive.”
Roberson isn’t the only new face in the QB room. The list also includes Zion Turner, a decorated three-star from St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Cale Millen, another three-star who committed to Oregon out of high school before transferring to FCS Northern Arizona last year. Tyler Phommachanh and Jacob Drena are also on the roster.
New quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Nick Charlton joined Mora’s staff after spending 2018-21 as the head coach at the University of Maine.
2. Which transfers will fill the trenches?
Mora has rebuilt the offensive line, like he’s done with the rest of the program, with transfers. Jake Guidone, a grad transfer from Dartmouth, joined the Huskies in December and could play the center position despite earning All-Ivy League honorable mention as a blocking tight end in 2019. The Huskies also added Kyle Jeurgens from Boise State and Dayne Shor from Alabama. UConn was second-to-last in the FBS in first downs in 2021, and last in third-down conversion percentage.
Defensively, Sokoya McDuffie played defensive tackle at Old Dominion, recording 28 tackles, four sacks and 6 1/2 tackles for loss in 2021. He will likely fill a role at defensive end with junior Eric Watts at the DT position. Watts totaled 39 tackles, six for loss, a half sack, one fumble recovery and eight quarterback hurries in 10 games with the Huskies in 2021.
New offensive and defensive line coaches include Gordon Sammis from William & Mary and Kenny McClendon from Youngstown State, respectively.
3. Where will help come from on defense?
Jackson Mitchell considered transferring after UConn’s one-win 2021 season. He was convinced by Mora and his staff to stay in Storrs and help lead the revolution despite being one of the few bright spots in 2019 and 2021. He was the team’s leading tackler with 120 last season, including 6 1/2 for loss, and one sack.
“He’s a wise man for his age because he has been playing so much football here,” Spanos told The Courant. “The production is outstanding. I mean, top-10 tackler in the country. He leads by example. When he speaks, everybody listens. When I say everyone, I mean all three phases (of football) because if Jackson is talking, there’s a reason for it.”
Three-star Kentucky transfer Marquez Bembry will likely bolster the linebacker position alongside Mitchell with senior linebacker Ian Swenson on the other side. Swenson totaled 73 tackles, four for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups in 11 games for the Huskies in 2021.
Last year, UConn ranked 109th in the FBS for rushing yards allowed and 105th in passing yards allowed.
