Whether it was under Bill Parcells with the Dallas Cowboys, Dick MacPherson at Syracuse or in 14 seasons as head coach of the Orange, Paul Pasqualoni has always emphasized strong defense and power running.
If Connecticut plans on surprising the pundits in 2012 by finishing in the upper third of the Big East, the Huskies must depend heavily on both. With seven starters back and the return of star cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn boasts one of the top defenses in the conference. Wreh-Wilson missed most of the 2011 season with a knee injury. On offense, workhorse running back Lyle McCombs returns for his sophomore season.
If any UConn school records fall this season, it will likely be on defense or in the run game.
Three UConn school records that could be broken in 2012.
Return yards on interceptions in a career
Record holder: 243, Darrell Wilson, 1997
Record chaser: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Sr.
Wreh-Wilson, the Huskies' shutdown corner, is coming off a strained MCL that sidelined him for most of his junior season. Wreh-Wilson has the potential to be one of the top Big East cornerbacks taken in the 2013 NFL Draft, but has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He also ranks tied for second in school history in career interceptions returned for a touchdown, with two. If he takes one to the house this season, there's a good chance he'll break Wilson's record.
Single-season sacks and sacks in a career
Record holder: 13, Mark Michaels, 1984; 27, Michaels, 1982-1985
Record chaser: Trevardo Williams, Sr.
Williams nearly set the single-season record last season with 12.5. Barring injury, Williams will almost certainly break Michael's career record. The Huskies' senior defensive end needs just 8.5 sacks to set the standard. With a stout defensive line, UConn can pressure opposing quarterbacks from almost every angle. As a result, opponents can ill afford to send double teams at Williams on every play.
Carries in a season
Record holder: 367, Donald Brown, 2008
Record chaser: Lyle McCombs, Soph.
McCombs, the diminutive back, finished his freshman season with 275 carries -– fourth in school history in a single season. Pasqualoni didn't hesitate to test McCombs from the outset, providing him with 51 carries in the first two games of his career. If the defense can keep opponents off the board, the Huskies will try to pound the ball on the ground. Both times McCombs carried the ball 30 times or more last season, UConn held its opponents to 10 points or less.
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