Returning Letterman RYAN 73 KRUG Sr. * OT * 6-4 * 302 Pine Beach, NJ / Toms River South CAREER: An All-America candidate who is the anchor of the Husky offensive line Has started 33 career games 2003: Started all 12 games at left tackle Named All-Independent Shared the offensive game ball with the rest of the offensive line, tight end Dan Murray and tailback Terry Caulley after the Buffalo game (Sept. 20). TIM 91 LASSEN Jr. * TE * 6-5 * 275 Cheshire, CT / Cheshire CAREER: Has played in 18 games with five starts in his Husky career A big and physical target in the red zone, of his 11 receptions, five have gone for a touchdown 2003: Appeared in the final six games, starting three (NC State, Western Michigan and Wake Forest) Mainly a blocking tight end, made eight catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns Five of his 11 career receptions have been good for touchdowns Had two catches for 21 yards, including a second half TD catch, in UConn s win over Rutgers (Nov. 8) Set career highs with his three catches and 31 receiving yards against Western Michigan (Nov. 1) His lone catch against both Kent State (Oct. 18) and Akron (Oct. 25) went for a touchdown Had a 21-yard catch in his season debut at NC State (Oct. 11) Missed the first six games with a separated left shoulder, suffered late in fall camp. Year GP/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Long Avg./G 2002 12/2 3 18 6.0 2 12 1.5 2003 6/3 8 90 11.2 3 21 15.0 Totals 18/5 11 108 9.8 5 21 6.0 Ryan Krug has anchored the offensive line for the past three seasons. In 2003, he helped the team rank eighth nationally in total offense while allowing just 10 sacks. MATT 42 LAWRENCE So. * TB * 6-1 * 198 Bloomfield, CT / Bloomfield 2003 AND CAREER: A true freshmen who the coaches hoped to redshirt but was forced into action after Terry Caulley s injury at Virginia Tech Played in six games with starts against Lehigh (Oct. 4) and NC State (Oct. 11) Gained 150 yards for the season on 45 carries with one touchdown while catching four passes for 14 yards Made his first career start against Lehigh (Oct. 4) and ran for 88 yards on 19 carries including his first career touchdown Made his collegiate debut at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27), gaining 53 yards on 18 carries. Year GP/GS Att. Yds. TD Avg. Rec. Yds. TD 2003 6/2 45 150 1 3.3 4 14 0 Tim Lassen missed the first six games of the season with a shoulder injury, but quickly assumed the starting nod at tight end for the second half, proving to be a solid blocker and dependable short-range passing option. The contributions made in 2003 by tailback Matt Lawrence as a true freshman were instrumental to UConn s success in the immediate wake of Terry Caulley s injury. 19 WWW.UCONNHUSKIES.COM
DARIUS 51 LEAK So. * LB * 6-1 * 256 Fork Union, VA / Fork Union Mil. Acad. 2003 AND CAREER: Appeared in all 12 games, mainly on special teams but also at linebacker Made 13 tackles, nine of them solo Tied for second on the squad with nine special teams stops Made two solo stops on special teams at Wake Forest (Nov. 15) Seven of his 13 tackles came in the first two games of the season as he made three against Indiana (Aug. 30) and four at Army (Sept. 6). 2003 12/0 9 4 13 0 0 0 0 Returning Lettermen BRIAN 54 MARKOWSKI Sr. * OG * 6-2 * 288 Carlstadt, NJ / Paramus Catholic CAREER: Has yet to miss a start in his UConn career, lining up for the opening snap of 35 straight contests Played center as a freshman before moving to guard 2003: Started all 12 games at left guard Named All-Independent Shared the offensive game ball with the rest of the offensive line, tight end Dan Murray and tailback Terry Caulley after the Buffalo game (Sept. 20). MAURICE 11 LLOYD Sr. * LB * 5-11 * 234 Daytona Beach, FL / Mainland CAREER: An All-America candidate who has led UConn in tackles each of the past two seasons Has started 28 of his 33 career games played, recording 295 tackles, including 214 solos Only Alfred Fincher (227) has more total career tackles than Lloyd s 214 solos amongst active Huskies Has 35.5 career tackles for loss, second best in UConn history behind just Uyi Osunde s 49 Second amongst active UConn players with four career interceptions 2003: Named All- Independent Started 11 games, missing only the Army contest (Sept. 6) with a minor right knee injury Led the team with 122 tackles and 96 solo tackles while ranking third on the team, first amongst linebackers, with 14.5 tackles for loss Recorded a pair of special teams tackles A consistent performer, was the only Husky to be one of the team s top three tacklers in each of the final 10 games of the year Made 11 tackles with a pair of TFLs in the win at Wake Forest (Nov. 15)...Led UConn with 14 stops, 12 of them solo with one for a loss against Rutgers (Nov. 8) while also both forcing and recovering a fumble...recorded a season-high three TFLs, part of a 12-total tackle effort, against Western Michigan (Nov. 1)...Had a season-high 15 tackles, including two for a loss with a fumble recovery and a forced hurry in the win over Akron (Oct. 25)...UConn s leading tackler in the overtime win at Kent State (Oct. 18) with his 13 stops that included two TFLs, while also breaking up a pair of passes...led the squad with 13 tackles, 12 of them solo, against Lehigh (Oct. 4), making two tackles for a loss and recovering a fumble...had 11 tackles, including half a TFL, and forced a fumble at Buffalo (Sept. 20)...Made 11 stops against Boston College (Sept. 13), with one TFL...Missed the Army game with a right knee injury. 2001 10/5 40 20 60 0 3-10 0 0 2002 12/12 78 35 113 2-13 18-44 4 5 2003 11/11 96 26 122 0 14.5-29 0 2 Total 33/28 214 81 295 2-13 35.5-83 4 7 2004 UCONN FOOTBALL PROSPECTUS 20 Stalwart offensive guard Brian Markowski (above) has started 35 straight contests in the trenches...maurice Lloyd (below) has led UConn in tackles each of the past two years and is second in school history with 35.5 TFLs.
Returning Letterman DEON 76 McPHEE Jr. * DT * 6-2 * 284 Jacksonville, FL / The Bolles School CAREER: Has played in 22 games with one start Credited with 27 career tackles (16 solo), including three TFLs and a sack 2003: Appeared in 11 of 12 games, missing just Army (Sept. 6), making his first career start at Wake Forest (Nov. 15) in place of an injured Sean Mulcahy Doubled his previous career high by making six tackles at Wake Forest, including his first collegiate sack Made three tackles in UConn s win over Rutgers (Nov. 8) Recorded a tackle for loss against Akron (Oct. 25) and Western Michigan (Nov. 1) Picked up a pair of pass pressures at Kent State (Oct. 18)...Recorded a pair of tackles and had a quarterback pressure at NC State (Oct. 11). 2002 12/0 4 7 11 0 0 0 0 2003 11/1 9 7 16 1-3 3-5 0 0 Total 23/1 13 14 27 1-3 3-5 0 0 DAN 46 MURRAY So. * TE * 6-5 * 250 Gloucester, MA / Gloucester 2003 AND CAREER: Stepped up his play early on in the season in the wake of injuries to Tim Lassen and Terry McClowry Appeared in all 12 games with four starts Led all UConn tight ends with nine catches for 123 yards and one touchdown Caught at least one pass in five straight games between Sept. 6 and Oct. 4 Grabbed a career-high three balls against Lehigh (Oct. 4)...Shared the offensive game ball against Buffalo (Sept. 20) with the offensive line and Terry Caulley Caught two passes for 32 yards against Boston College (Sept. 13) His first career reception was also his first career touchdown, an eight-yard catch at Army (Sept. 6), a game which also marked his first career start. Year GP/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Long Avg./G 2003 12/4 9 123 13.7 1 24 10.2 MATT 98 NUZIE So. * PK * 5-11 * 195 Trumbull, CT / Trumbull 2003 AND CAREER: Did the majority of UConn s place kicking as a redshirt freshman Went 11-for-21 in field goal tries and 47-of-49 in his extra point attempts Hit on 31 consecutive PATs from Sept. 6 (Army) to Nov. 1 (Western Michigan), the second longest streak in school history Was a perfect 8-for- 8 on field goal tries from inside of 30 yards Tallied 15 points in UConn s win at Wake Forest (Nov. 15), hitting on all three of his field goal attempts and each of his six PAT tries Kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal as time expired to ensure UConn s 38-37 Homecoming win over Akron (Oct. 25). Earned the special teams game ball in that win over the Zips Hit his season-long 38-yard field goal at Buffalo (Sept. 20) Hit from 37 yards and 21 yards against Indiana (Aug. 30), the 37-yard kick being the first points ever scored at Rentschler Field. Year XP/XPAFG/FGA0-29 30-39 40-49 50+ LNG PTS 2003 47-49 11-21 8-8 3-8 0-5 0-0 38 80 Matt Nuzie was a perfect eight-for-eight on field goals inside of 30 yards last fall. He also posted the second longest string of consecutive successful extra point attempts (31) in UConn history. 21 WWW.UCONNHUSKIES.COM
DAN 7 ORLOVSKY Sr. * QB * 6-5 * 236 Shelton, CT / Shelton CAREER: An All-American candidate who has the second most career touchdown passes (61) of any active Division I-A player, trailing only Hawaii s Timmy Chang, and the eighth most career passing yards (7,352) of any active player Expected to break most UConn career passing records during his senior campaign Has recorded a win in 13 of his last 16 starts Owns an active school-record streak of 24 consecutive games with a touchdown pass Played in 34 career games with 30 starts, completing 628 of 1110 passes (56.6%) for 7352 yards with 61 touchdowns and 36 interceptions for an 123.86 efficiency rating 2003: Set nearly every UConn seasonal passing record and for it earned the Connecticut Player of the Year honor from the Walter Camp Foundation...Also named the Independent Offensive MVP by ESPN.com while receiving All-ECAC, All-Independent and team MVP recognition...finished the season ranked seventh in the nation in passing, 13th in total offense, 12th in points responsible for; and, during the regular season, tied for fifth nationally in touchdown passes and ninth in passing yardage...started all 12 games and was 9-3 on the year, completing 279-of-475 passes for 3,485 yards with 33 TDs and 14 interceptions for an 137.40 efficiency rating that ranked 33rd in the nation...had five 300-yard passing games and twice threw for 299 yards...set a school record by throwing for five touchdowns at Army (Sept. 6) and proceeded to tie the mark against Akron (Oct. 25)...Threw a touchdown pass in all 12 games to extend his school-record streak of consecutive games with a TD pass to 24 and joins himself (2002) and Shane Stafford (1997) as the only Huskies to throw a TD pass in every game for an entire season...received the offensive game ball after UConn s wins over Army (Sept. 6) and Akron (Oct. 25)...Capped the season in style, throwing for 313 yards in UConn s seasonending 51-17 rout at Wake Forest (Nov. 15), joining Bernie Kosar, Kerry Collins and Chris Simms as the only quarterbacks in the past 20 years to lead a non-conference team to a 50-point total at an ACC stadium...was a steady 17-for-32 for 22 yards with two TDs and no interceptions in UConn s 38-31 come-from-behind win over Rutgers (Nov. 8), leading the Huskies on two touchdown drives inside of the final five minutes...completed 68-percent of his passes for a season-high 343 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one INT in UConn s win over Western Michigan (Nov. 1)...Tied his own school record by throwing five touchdown passes in a thrilling 38-37 Homecoming win over Akron (Oct. 25)...At Kent State (Oct. 18), he threw a TD pass and a two-point conversion pass to tie the game in the final minutes of regulation and then won it in overtime, 34-31, with a 14-yard strike to O Neil Wilson. Had a career-high 28 completions against the Golden Flashes...Rallied UConn from a 24-10 deficit with 5:57 to play at NC State (Oct. 11) to tie the game with a pair of TD passes, but a costly interception, his only one of the game, gave the Wolfpack a 31-24 win...fought valiantly in a lopsided loss at No. 5 Virginia Tech (Sept. 27), throwing for 316 yards, one of only six 300-yard passing 2004 UCONN FOOTBALL PROSPECTUS 22 Returning Lettermen efforts surrendered by the stringent Hokie defense during the 2001, 2002 and 2003 regular seasons combined...was highly efficient at Buffalo (Sept. 20), hitting on 15-of-23 (65%) for 236 yards with a touchdown... Threw a career-high 55 passes, completing 26, in a losing effort against Boston College (Sept. 13)...Set a school record by throwing five TD passes at Army (Sept. 6), hitting on 72-percent of his passes (26-for-36) for 317 yards while also tossing a pair of interceptions. The 72.2 completion percentage marked the 14th best game in UConn history...opened the season on August 30 by hitting on 26-of-42 passes for 307 yards with three TDs and one interception in a 34-10 win over Indiana in Rentschler Field s inaugural game. Year GP/GS A-C-I PCT YDS TD EFF 2001 10/6 269-128-11 47.6 1379 9 93.51 2002 12/12 366-221-11 60.4 2488 19 128.60 2003 12/12 475-279-14 58.7 3485 33 137.40 Totals 34/30 1110-628-36 56.6 7352 61 123.86 NCAA ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS TOUCHDOWN PASSES PASSING YARDS Player, School TDs Player, School Yards Timmy Chang, Hawaii 79 Timmy Chang, Hawaii 12,814 Dan Orlovsky, UConn 61 David Greene, Georgia 9,020 Chris Rix, Florida State 60 Gino Guidugli, Cincinnati 8,820 Josh Fields, Okla. State 55 Charlie Frye, Akron 8,426 Andrew Walter, Arizona St. 55 Derek Anderson, Ore. St. 7,634 David Greene, Georgia 52 Chris Rix, Florida State 7,525 Gino Guidugli, Cincinnati 52 Andrew Walter, Ariz. St. 7,467 Darian Durant, N. Carolina 51 Dan Orlovsky, UConn 7,352 Derek Anderson, Ore. St. 50 Darian Durant, UNC 6,517 Charlie Frye, Akron 46 Kyle Orton, Purdue 6,247 Jason White, Oklahoma 46 Josh Fields, Okla. St. 6,090
Returning Letterman JUSTIN 2 PERKINS Sr. * CB * 5-11 * 187 Fort Lauderdale, FL / Plantation CAREER: UConn s top cover corner has started each of the 24 games in his career that he has been healthy for His 132 career tackles, and 107 solos, leads active UConn defensive backs Has seven career tackles for loss, seven interceptions, and 30 pass break ups 2003: Named All-Independent Tied for 11th in the nation with 0.50 interceptions per game Started all 12 games at corner back, making 69 tackles (58 solo) to rank second amongst defensive backs Led the Huskies with six interceptions, tying for the sixth best seasonal mark in UConn history Credited with six tackles, a forced fumble and a PBU at Wake Forest (Nov. 15) Picked off two passes and had eight tackles in the win over Rutgers (Nov. 8) Made four solo tackles and an interception against Akron (Oct. 25) Had his first career multiple-interception game against Lehigh (Oct. 4), ranking second to Maurice Lloyd with his seasonal-best 12 tackles on the day and earning the defensive game ball Made his lone TFL of the year at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27), ending the day with five total stops and a pair of pass break ups, half of the team s total of four Made six stops, all solo, against Boston College (Sept. 13) with two pass break ups Recorded seven tackles at Army (Sept. 6) with a pair of PBUs Contributed six tackles and a pass deflection to UConn s win over Indiana (Aug. 30) in his first game back from missing almost the entire 2002 season with a knee injury. 2001 11/11 48 13 61 0 6-27 1 9 2002 1/1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2003 12/12 58 11 69 0 1-2 6 21 Total 24/24 107 25 132 0 7-29 7 30 Justin Perkins tied for 11th in the nation last fall with his six interceptions in 12 games. GRANT 78 PRESTON Jr. * OT * 6-5 * 295 Mechanicsburg, PA / Mechanicsburg CAREER: Has started 23 games, missing just one in his career due to pneumonia Started all 12 games at right guard as a freshman before being moved to outside right tackle 2003: Started all 12 games at right tackle Shared the offensive game ball with the rest of the offensive line, tight end Dan Murray and tailback Terry Caulley after the Buffalo game (Sept. 20). DAVID 85 SANCHEZ So. * WR * 5-8 * 176 Windsor, CT / Enfield 2003 AND CAREER: Served as a punt returner in 11 of 12 games (all but Boston College) Returned 34 punts on the year for 146 yards Had his career-long return of 16 yards at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27) Made a career high six punt returns at Buffalo (Sept. 20) for 33 yards Returned five punts for 24 yards in his collegiate debut against Indiana (Aug. 30). Year GP/GS PR Yds. Avg. TD Long 2003 11/0 34 146 4.3 0 16 23 WWW.UCONNHUSKIES.COM
Jason Williams has been productive as both a wide receiver and a kickoff returner while at UConn. JAHI 27 SMITH So. * CB * 5-11 * 185 Suitland, MD / Suitland 2003 AND CAREER: Appeared in the final 10 games, mainly on special teams but also as a reserve defensive back Recorded five tackles on the year, three of them coming on special teams Made two tackles, including his lone solo stop of the season, against Lehigh (Oct. 4) Had assisted tackles against Buffalo (Sept. 20), Western Michigan (Nov. 1) and Wake Forest (Nov. 15). 2003 10/0 1 4 5 0 0 0 0 TAURIEN 47 SOWELL Jr. * LB * 6-1 * 232 Bridgeport, CT / Bridgeport CAREER: Has appeared in 22 games as a linebacker and on special teams, making one start Has made 30 career tackles, 23 of them solos, with three tackles for loss 2003: Appeared in all 12 games, making his first career start at Army (Sept. 6) Made 26 tackles on the season, four of them coming on special teams, with three sacks Had three tackles in the win over Lehigh (Oct. 4) Showed great signs of a bright future during his start at Army, leading UConn in four major categories (14 tackles, 12 solos, three TFLs and three pass break ups) against the Cadets Recorded five tackles on opening day against Indiana (Aug. 30). 2002 10/0 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 2003 12/1 20 6 26 0 3-6 0 4 Total 22/1 23 7 30 0 3-6 0 4 2004 UCONN FOOTBALL PROSPECTUS 24 Returning Lettermen JASON 80 WILLIAMS Jr. * WR * 6-0 * 178 McKeesport, PA / McKeesport CAREER: A speedy player who has maintained a key role in the wide receiver rotation and served as UConn s kickoff returner Has made 42 receptions in his 24 career games (five starts), good for 493 yards and three touchdowns 2003: Played in all 12 games with starts against Kent State and Akron when UConn opened those games with four wide receivers Made 19 catches for 139 yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 239 yards Contributed three catches for 29 yards to UConn s win over Western Michigan (Nov. 1) Tied his season high by making four catches at Kent State (Oct. 18) Had three catches for 27 yards at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27) Had an 82-yard kickoff return at Buffalo (Sept. 20), UConn s longest since 1998, helping earn him UConn s special teams game ball Made his season debut as a kick returner against Boston College (Sept. 13) Made four short grabs at Army (Sept. 6) for 17 yards. Year GP/GS Rec. Yds. TD PR Yds. Avg. TD 2002 12/3 23 354 3 1 32 0 2003 12/2 19 139 0 10 239 0 Totals 24/5 42 493 3 11 271 0 BRANDON 83 YOUNG Jr. * WR * 6-0 * 197 Morganza, MD / Hargrave (VA) Military CAREER: A prominent figure in the wide receiver rotation and has also shared punt return duties with David Sanchez and kickoff return duties with Jason Williams Has appeared in 21 career games, making 50 receptions for 668 yards with six TDs while averaging 21.2 yards per kickoff return and 6.5 yards per punt return 2003: Appeared in nine games with a start against Lehigh, the first of his career Missed the Indiana and Army games with a hamstring pull suffered during fall camp and also missed the NC State contest Finished fourth on the team with 28 catches for 399 yards and four touchdowns while returning 11 kickoffs for 233 yards (21.2 avg.) and eight punts for 52 yards (6.5 avg.) Made seven catches for 80 yards with a touchdown in UConn s win at Wake Forest (Nov. 15) Made a pair of touchdown catches in UConn s 38-37 win over Akron (Oct. 25), hauling in four passes in all for 73 yards Recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game when he caught seven passes against Lehigh (Oct. 4) for an even 100 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Earned the team s offensive game ball against the Mountain Hawks Had three catches for 71 yards at Buffalo (Sept. 20) Made his season debut against Boston College (Sept. 13), catching a 17-yard pass and returning four punts for 26 yards. Year GP/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Long Avg./G 2002 12/0 22 269 12.2 2 29 22.4 2003 9/1 28 399 14.2 4 50 44.3 Totals 21/1 50 668 13.4 6 50 31.8