Highlights From Coach Paul Pasqualoni Pre-UMass Presser

What’s goin on?

UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni just held a teleconference with local beat writers for updates and to talk UMass.

Here are some highlights from the call.

- Big practice today, typically is, “we review the whole game plan today,” Pasqualoni said

- Junior DT Shamar Stephen (knee sprain) is the only player expected out for Thursday’s night game with regard to injuries

- Pasqualoni said Stephen will be re-evaluated early next week to see if he’d be able to go against N.C. State.

- CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson. WR Nick Williams, LB Jory Johnson and OG Adam Masters were named captains yesterday.

Pasqualoni said there were so many to choose from with 17 seniors but…

“The team decided, we decided that those four would be our captains and that’s the way it worked out.”

On LB Sio Moore: “We’ve got an awful lot on Sio’s plate. What I’ve liked about Sio this preseason is that he’s come in each day with a high level of focus and trying every day to really, really focus on practice and moving on to the next play regardless of what happened the previous play, not getting distracted and moving on to the next play as quickly as possible. With the tempo and speed of the game and all the no-huddle offenses we’re going to see starting this week that’s going to be really important.”

What will Pasqualoni be looking for in first game?: I’d like to see us play smart. I’d like to see us not turn the ball over, not do dumb things. I’d like to see a minimum of penalties and I would like to see great effort in all three phases of the game. If we can get that out of this week I think we have a good start.”

On the intensity at defensive line: “It’s been something. They’ve been competing hard out there every practice. We’re working individual work where they work against each other and they’re beating each other up and then we go over and we work against the offensive line and the offensive line and defensive line competing against each other so we’ve got everything going on…it’s been very intense and it’s been everyday.”

True freshman he is considering playing would be: OG Tyler Samra, S Jordan Floyd and DE E.J. Norris.

On the tight ends, John Delahunt and Ryan Griffin: “They are two staples, solid pillars on our team. They don’t talk much but in most cases about 100 percent of the time your actions speak louder than your words. Delahunt is a little bit better blocker but can catch the ball well, has made some big catches here and Griff is a better pass receiver. He’s kind of a crafty, tight end route runner but he can block and has made some big blocks. He’s willing to go in there to be a blocker. Their skill sets are slightly different but they are interchangeable.

On Casey Cochran and the cast: “I haven’t kind of checked on it a while just because he practices everyday with the cast on and I had even forgotten he had a cast on it but he’s out there doing everything and doing a good job. As soon as the Doc says the cast can come off we’ll get it off…

Pasqualoni said Cochran is not working with the scout team.

“No, Casey’s with the travel squad and getting either mental reps or when we can get him a rep in a drill he gets a rep,” Pasqualoni said.

DC

P.S. The Courant’s Special Section on UConn Football drops tomorrow