UConn coach Bob Diaco isn't one to withhold his appreciation for how the service academics play football.

A year ago the way Diaco spoke about Army's triple-option offense, the Black Knights would have been wise to use video from Diaco on its season wrap multimedia package.

On the weekly American Athletic Conference football teleconference he was once again extremely complimentary - this time about Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw.

Bradshaw ran 20 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns and was 6 of 14 passing for 107 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in a season-opening loss to Fordham.

"They have a talented player at quarterback, you can see why he is the guy that they want to with," Diaco said. "The guy a year ago (Angel Santiago), obviously he did well enough to get the win against us so he was a pretty darn good player too but this player is a little bit faster and more athletic, he has a strong arm, he can make all the throws. It truly looks like he could operate very easily out of a four and five (receiver) open spread offense just as well as he operates in this triple-option offense."

WR BRADLEY "BACK FULL SPEED"
Classmate Noel Thomas was the only returning UConn player to catch more passes than the 15 Dhameer Bradley had during his sophomore season.

However, Bradley did not play in the final scrimmage and while he was in uniform, he did not get into the game against Villanova.

Diaco was asked for an update on Bradley's status.

"It was a slow start for him in camp and a very fast start by a few younger players, there were three guys in particular who had great camps (Tyriaq Beals, Hegy Mayala and Aaron McLean), three true freshman and he was off to a slow start," Diaco said. "Then he was (slowed) by a nagging lower leg (injury), no big thing but just a nagging pull and that truly didn't help things. He is back full speed now, working his way in and doing a nice job so we will see what it looks like in the future."