UConn RB #22 Arkeel Newsome turns the corner on the Boise defense in the first quarter at Rentschler Field on September 13, 2014.

There’s no doubt that the UConn Huskies football program has a lot of young players. All you need to do is go look at the roster and look at the class listings.

And because of the youth, UConn head coach Bob Diaco has had to play them because they need to develop and he’s said time and time again, the only way for that to happen is to play them.

In the first four games, he used 57 players against BYU, 55 against Stony Brook, 56 vs. Boise State and
55 vs. USF. In those games, 22 of the players, who made their collegiate debuts, were either true freshman, redshirt freshman or redshirt sophomores.

• True Freshmen (8) – TE Alec Bloom, LB Luke Carrezola, OL Ryan Crozier, LB Vontae Diggs, TB Ron Johnson, RB Arkeel Newsome, OL Trey Rutherford, CB Jamar Summers
• Redshirt Freshman (10) – H Blake Feagles, DL Foley Fatukasi, OL Tommy Hopkins, LB Junior Joseph, WR Thomas Lucas, RB Joshua Marriner, TE Tommy Myers, LB Cole Ormsby, LB Cameron Stapleton, LB Jalen Stevens
• Redshirt Sophomores (4) -C Kyle Bockeloh, OT Andreas Knappe, DL Sean Marinan, P Justin Wain

This also doesn’t include sophomores QB Tim Boyle, WR Noel Thomas, FB Jazzmar Claxx, FB Matt Walsh, WR Dhameer Bradley, NG Mikal Myers, LB Jon Hicks, CB John Green, S Obi Melifonwu, S Ellis Marder, CB Jhavon Williams, K Bobby Puyol and WR Brian Lemelle.

Folks, that’s 36 players playing either their first or second year of college football. Sure that’s a lot, but with them getting experience, that bodes well for the future of the UConn Football program.

Watch and listen below as Diaco as well as QB Chandler Whitmer, CB Byron Jones and S Junior Lee talk about the younger guys and how they’ve adapted this season.

UConn head coach Bob Diaco talks with #22 Andrew Adams during at timeout against Boise State at Rentschler Field on September 13, 2014.

One of UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco’s big things he wanted to change when he took over was the culture surrounding the program.

It was a subject I broached with the players during media day at UConn before the season got underway. And now that we are three games into the season, there is more evidence that the culture has really changed within the program.

Watch and listen below as Diaco along with QB Chandler Whitmer, CB Byron Jones and S Junior Lee talk about that change in culture.

Huskies All-Access Host Erika Wachter sits down with Head Coach Bob Diaco, standout linebacker Marquise Vann and media personality Joe D’Ambrosio to discuss UConn Football’s upcoming game against Temple University.

UConn S #23 Junior Lee & #22 Obi Melifonwu look on Jefferson Ashiru makes the tackle against the Stony Brook Seawolves on September 6, 2014 at Rentschler Field.

One of the brighter spots for the UConn Huskies football team this has been the play of the special teams.

And we’re not talking about Bobby Puyol or Justin Wain. They are just two elements of special teams play.

We are talking about Junior Lee.

In the loss to South Florida last Friday night, UConn had five tackles on special teams. Lee had all five. Whenever there is a play on special teams, you’ll see his number 23 involved in the play.

Watch and listen below as UConn Football coach Bob Diaco talks about the play of Lee on special teams as well as Lee talking about what makes him great on special teams.

photo credit: ian bethune – sox & dawgs

Here are the highlights from the South Florida Bulls 17-14 win over the UConn Huskies on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

With just over 30 minutes until kickoff against the South Florida Bulls on ESPN (8 p.m.), UConn Huskies QB Chandler Whitmer, head coach Bob Diaco and WR Geremy Davis talk about the importance of the first conference game.

With kickoff just about an hour away, here’s what UConn Huskies head coach Bob Diaco and QB Chandler Whitmer think of tonight’s opponent, the South Florida Bulls.

Huskies All Access host Erika Wachter sits down with UConn Football Head Coach Bob Diaco, RS Senior Wide Receiver and Captain Geremy Davis, and Analyst Joe D’Ambrosio to preview Week 4 against USF, its first conference matchup.

UConn QB Casey Cochran (12) drops back to pass in the second quarter on August 29, 2014 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT

With his playing career over, former UConn Huskies QB Casey Cochran has embraced his new role as a head coach.

He’ll have different responsibilities with the team as they move forward this season but he’ll still be that leader and one that guys can turn to for help.

Watch below as Cochran explains his role as well as UConn head coach Bob Diaco and QB Tim Boyle assessing his coaching skills in his first game last Saturday against Boise State.

photo credit: ian bethune – sox & dawgs

Former UConn QB and now undergraduate assistant coach Casey Cochran looks on during the fourth quarter against Boise State at Rentschler Field on Saturday, September 13, 2014.

Former UConn Huskies QB, now undergraduate assistant coach, Casey Cochran didn’t have to speak with the media in regards to his decision to quit football due to concussions. But he did it anyways.

That’s just the type of guy Cochran is. He’s always been open with the media and that was evident during his almost 15 minute session for those who stuck around well after the regular weekly press conference was over.

And for those who stood around, they got to hear from a very smart young man who has a bright future in whatever he decides to pursue. He is set to graduate with a degree in communications after just three years and plans to attend graduate school.

Watch below as Cochran talks about having no regrets in his decision:

photo credit: ian bethune – sox & dawgs