The NCAA has granted UConn's starting left offensive tackle Jimmy Bennett's request for a sixth season of eligibility on Wednesday according to UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni.

Bennett has had an injury-plagued career with the Huskies as the 2012, his fifth at UConn, marked the first time he saw action in a Big East game.


"Jimmy’s been through so much, so many injuries that it is a great thing for him to have this opportunity," Pasqualoni said. "Now Jimmy’s got to weigh all the factors because the risk of injury when you play football is still there. It is great he got the sixth year but he is going to have to really, really want to do this, go through another year that you have to go through so we are very happy for Jimmy that the NCAA has given him this opportunity.

"My sense is that he is going to want to do it but I don’t want to jump the gun and be premature. It is going to be his decision. I have been through this before with players who has had numerous injuries, it has to be Jimmy and his family who ultimately make this decision."

Pasqualoni said the NCAA has not made a ruling on whether defensive end Teddy Jennings will be granted a sixth year of eligibility.