Now that the drama surrounding the naming of a starting quarterback is out of the way, it is a perfect time to focus on some other hotly-contested battles for starting positions at UConn.

TAILBACK: Max DeLorenzo is the returnee with the most experience but I will go on the record as saying that I expect Josh Marriner to be UConn's leading rusher this season. I am very interested to see how true freshmen Arkeel Newsome and Ron Johnson are utilized. Springing a game-breaking player like Newsome on teams for 6-10 snaps a game could add some much-needed juice to the offense.

Brian Lemelle (84) and Dhameer Bradley (1) are in the mix
to be the No. 3 wide receiver for UConn during 2014 season

NO. 3 WIDE RECEIVER: I do not expect UConn to use the three-receiver sets as much this year as a season ago simply because UConn coach Bob Diaco is going to use more multiple tight end formations. Geremy Davis and Deshon Foxx are unquestionably the top two receivers. Thomas Lucas has been getting plenty of love in the preseason. Brian Lemelle, Dhameer Bradley and Noel Thomas, who had 16, 13 and five catches respectively as true freshmen, will be in the mix. I haven't heard much about Kamal Abrams but wouldn't be surprised to see him in the rotation.
DEFENSIVE END: There's been plenty of buzz surrounding Reuben Frank, whether he lines up as a defensive end or outside linebacker on the right side, but no position appears to be more competitive than the defensive end on the other side of the ball as B.J. McBryde and Kenton Adeyemi appear to be running neck and neck. Adeyemi has run out with the first unit in the last two practices the media was able to attend but Diaco raved about McBryde when I asked about the competition between the two of them after a recent practice.

Both Adeyemi and McBride had sacks during the spring game and figure prominently in UConn's defensive line rotation regardless of which one ends up drawing the starting position.

NO. 2 CORNERBACK: Byron Jones is unquestionably UConn's top corner. Jhavon Williams received plenty of work as a nickel corner a season ago and he figured to be a starting CB this year. However, true freshman Jamar Summers has been opening eyes since he arrived on campus in January. He finished tied for third on the team with five tackles in the spring game and with Williams less than 100 percent early in camp, Summers was seeing plenty of first-team work. Javon Hadley is another talented youngster with the capability to push for playing time.

KICK RETURNER: Diaco said that Foxx will be the primary punt returner and will be handling kickoffs as well. Now the question is who will go back with Foxx on kickoff returns. Diaco said that Bradley, Lemelle and all the tailbacks are in the mix for that position. Unfortunately, I did not see UConn work on shagging kickoffs during the media access portion of practice so can't offer too much insight into who has been getting most of the work back there.

ANOTHER MAJOR AWARD FOR JENNINGS?
The Arena Football League will hand out its individual awards tomorrow in Cleveland and among the candidates for the Rookie of the Year has to be former UConn star Teddy Jennings.

Jennings led all rookies with 11 sacks during his rookie season with the Philadelphia Soul as he was a first team AFL pick at defensive end. I can't say I follow the Arena Football League enough to come up with a complete list of the top candidates but the only other player to earn first team honors was Portland defensive back Varmah Sonie, who had nine interceptions and led all first-year players with 86 tackles. Orlando receiver Greg Carr was a second team selection and he finished sixth in the league with 113 catches and 1,435 yards. Another player to consider is A.J. Cruz as the former Brown star led the league in kickoff return average, was sixth in punt returns and also returned a missed field goal 58 yards for a score.

Former UConn offensive tackle Will Beatty got the start at left tackle in last night's preseason game against Indianapolis in his first live game action since suffering a broken leg in the 2013 regular-season finale.

Courtesy of the transcript on the Giants official site, here are some thoughts from Beatty, who according to reports was in the game for about 10-12 snaps.

"I felt good out there, but I'd feel a lot better with a win. I felt like I had an average performance, but I don't want to be average. I want to be extraordinary."

In the same game former UConn DB Darius Butler had a nice play for the Colts resulting in a diving interception on an Eli Manning pass intended for Victor Cruz but one of his teammates was called for an illegal contact penalty wiping out the interception.

As for the game, former Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib led the Giants to a come from behind 27-26 win.

Shamar Stephen, the first UConn player taken in May's NFL draft, continues to impress for the Minnesota Vikings. The seventh-round pick received work with the starters and recorded three tackles in a 30-28 win over Arizona.

As for some of the other former Huskies in action last night, Danny Lansanah had two tackles in Tampa Bay's 20-14 loss to Miami and Kashif Moore had a 12-yard catch in Pittsburgh's 19-16 win over Buffalo while Lawrence Wilson had a tackle in the St. Louis Rams' 21-7 loss to Green Bay.

MAJOR HONOR FOR JENNINGS
Former UConn defensive end Teddy Jennings was named to the All-Arena Football League first team after finishing his rookie season with a team-leading 11 sacks for the Philadelphia Soul.

Jennings recorded 5 1/2 sacks in back to back games against Iowa and Orlando. He finished fourth in the league in sacks and seventh with 11 1/2 tackles for loss despite missing three games.

Jennings and Portland defensive back Varmah Sonie, who had nine interceptions, were the only rookies selected to the AFL defensive first team.

Former UConn tight end John Delahunt had a pair of catches and a special-teams tackle but it wasn't enough to enable the expansion Ottawa RedBlacks to win its first Canadian Football League game.

Delahunt had a 15-yard reception on Ottawa's third scoring drive of the first quarter and added an 11-yard catch on the opening possession of the fourth quarter. That drive ended with a field goal to put the RedBlacks up 28-20 but Winnipeg scored the game's final 16 points to came away with the 36-28 victory.

The other two former UConn products in the CFL will be in action today when Montreal faces the BC Lions. In Montreal's season-opening 29-8 loss to Calgary Larry Taylor returned two kickoffs for 25 yards and added 15 yards on three punt returns while Martin Bedard saw action as a long snapper in the game.

TV TIME FOR FORMER HUSKIES

For anybody who wants to see some UConn products in action, Monday's 8 p.m. Arena Football League game between Philadelphia and Orlando will air live on ESPN2.

Philadelphia's defense features three former UConn players led by rookie sensation Teddy Jennings, a defensive end who leads the Soul with eight quarterback sacks despite missing three of the team's 15 games. Jerome Williams has played in six games and had 12 tackles as well as 1/2 of a sack. Recent acquisition Julius Williams is also a member of the squad. Jennings wears No. 98, Jerome Williams is No. 90 and Julius Williams No. 97.

FORMER NOTRE DAME SIGNEE SYKES HEADED TO INDIANA
When I was reported that Nile Sykes, a linebacker out of Montini Catholic in Lombard, Ill., was planning to leave Notre Dame it definitely caught my eye since he was recruited to Notre Dame by current UConn coach Bob Diaco.

However, it looks like Sykes was focused on heading to Indiana after spending just a couple of weeks on the Notre Dame campus. Indiana officially announced that Sykes was heading there and would be eligible to play immediately.

Teddy Jennings came into Saturday's Arena Football League game with five sacks. He nearly doubled that total in the Philadelphia Soul's 84-48 win over the Iowa Barnstormers.

Jennings had three sacks including a safety to give him a team-leading eight sacks in 12 games.

Another former UConn product, Jerome Williams, had 1/2 of a sack as Philadelphia improved to 7-8.

Philadelphia's next game on July 7 against Orlando will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 8 p.m.

With last week being my first week of vacation in 2014 I guess it's time to catch up on what I missed during the week off.

The biggest news was that UConn, which had no Class of 2015 commitments, received pledges from four rising high school seniors during the week.

Kevin Murphy, a defensive tackle who had 88 tackles including a team-high six sacks as a junior at East High in West Chester, Pa., was the first one to commit. Next up was 6-foot-4 quarterback Tyler Davis and that was quickly followed by commitments from New Jersey tight end Ben Hartwick and New Hampshire defensive end Phillippe Okounam.

The 6-foot-5 Davis ran and passed for more than 1,000 yards and had a combined total of 27 touchdowns as a junior. Hartwick will add more size to the tight end position at UConn while Okounam is originally from Montreal and plays at St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H.

PAIR OF SIGNEES SHINE IN BIG 33 CLASSIC
Both of UConn's incoming freshmen made an impact for the losing Pennsylvania team in Saturday's Big 33 Classic.

Luke Carrezola, a defensive end/tight end out of Neshaminy, had a pair of quarterback sacks in a game won by Maryland 31-24 in double overtime. Tight end Alex Bloom had two catches for 18 yards and was the intended receiver on the game-ending interception by Rasheed Gillis. Pennsylvania quarterback Mark Pyles, who is headed to Bucknell, spoke highly on Bloom when he discussed the interception after the game when he said "I saw a 6-7 tight end who’s very athletic and catches everything, against a cornerback. I tried to get him to make a play. It’s not his fault. It wasn’t the best ball."

The duo should be on campus in about two weeks.

ANOTHER SACK FOR JENNINGS
Former UConn defensive end Teddy Jennings continued his impressive rookie season with the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul as he had a quarterback sack in yesterday's 57-56 loss to Pittsburgh.

Jennings, who had two solo tackles and an assist against Pittsburgh, has taken over the team lead with five sacks despite missing three of the first 13 games.

DIACO HAS ROLE IN HEARTWARMING FATHER'S DAY STORY
ESPN has a  blog about the strong bond Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Prince Shembo has with his father, a connection which was only strengthened when the elder Shembo suffered a brain aneurysm the night before Notre Dame was set to play Michigan State during Shembo's sophomore season. In the blog Shembo mentioned that Diaco, Notre Dame's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the time, drove him to the hospital so Shembo could see his father.

BEATTY SET TO RETURN BY TRAINING CAMP
Former UConn offensive tackle Will Beatty is still sidelined after suffering a serious leg injury in the 2013 regular-season finale against Washington. Beatty wasn't able to do anything during organized team activities of OTAs but Giants coach Tom Coughlin has gone on the record as saying that he is hopeful that Beatty can return to the field by the start of training camp.

Former UConn defensive end Teddy Jennings made his presence felt as he returned to the lineup for the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul after missing the last two games.

Jennings had three solo tackles and two assists as the Soul defeated San Antonio 76-40 on Sunday to move back over the .500 mark.

Jennings has played in eight of Philadelphia's 11 games. He had 10 solo tackles, nine assists and is tied for second on the team with four sacks.

Former UConn defensive end Teddy Jennings will get some air time when ESPN2 televises today's Arena Football League game between Philadelphia and Iowa at 4 p.m.

Jennings leads Philadelphia with four sacks, two coming in last week's game against Jacksonville. He wears the familiar No. 98 for the Soul.

Former UConn defensive end Teddy Jennings continues his impressive work with the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul.

Jennings had 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble to lead Philadelphia to a 54-41 win over Jacksonville on Saturday night.

Jennings, who had four tackles in the game, has played in four games with Philadelphia and has sacks in three of them. His 4 1/2 sacks ranks fifth in the AFL.

Philadelphia's next game is on Apr. 27 at 4 p.m. against Iowa and it will air live on ESPN2.

There was a mixed bag of news surrounding UConn's injured defensive linemen.

On a conference call with the media on Thursday UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni said that senior defensive end Teddy Jennings had knee surgery earlier this week and he will miss the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, Pasqualoni said that junior defensive tackle Shamar Stephen will play against Maryland.

Jennings injured his knee in the season-opening win over UMass while a knee injury suffered in the preseason prevented Stephen from playing in UConn's first two games of the season.

Here is what Pasqualoni said about Jennings and Stephen.


"Shamar will play. He adds a big guy who has playing experience. He adds another big guy in there who is an experienced guy. It will be helpful, it will add to our depth. We expect to have to play against this (Maryland) no huddle (offense).

"We decided to do the surgery on Teddy and he is out for the season. That surgery was done and it all went very well but he is out for the season."

It shouldn't be a stunner that the first question UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni was asked on his day after teleconference centered around the offensive line and if any changes would be made personnel wise heading into Saturday's game at Maryland.


"What we saw on the film was not good execution and not consistent enough execution," Pasqualoni said. "We had 15 drives in the game and it seems like in 14 of those drives we made a mistake that really put us behind the chains or there was a turnover created. I would say it is just a lack of consistency. We had a fourth and four which would have put us in position to score or kick to tie the game at least. The game probably came down to one or two plays.

"Right now we are still working through the film and I haven't decided on any changes at this point. If we do (change the starting line) that I would announce it during the week. This week from an offensive standpoint each position group, each unit could have done better which in the end could have resulted in a couple more plays which would have put us in position to win the game. It is just a matter of everybody doing a little more, doing a little better."

Pasqualoni said that health wise the Huskies seemed to have come out of the game in good shape. He is still uncertain about the status of DE Teddy Jennings and DT Shamar Stephen. Jennings missed the NC State game and Shamar Stephen has missed the first two games with knee injuries.

"We are going to evaluate that this week very closely so we are optimistic," Pasqualoni said of Stephen's availability. "I would say right now questionable and we'd keep you posted day by day. The swelling is going down (in Jennings' knee), we are going to get a little bit more of a good evaluation this week. We are waiting for the swelling to go down to do the pictures and all of that."

Of course he was asked about the possible distraction of the Huskies going up against their former head coach Randy Edsall on Saturday.

"That is all stuff that you guys like to write about, it gives you some material," Pasqualoni said. "There is so much to get ready for and the game requires so much focus and attention that if we fall into that trap of getting involved into that kind of emotional stuff before a game it is going to make us less competitive and less prepared.

"The coaches at Maryland and the coaches at Connecticut , because we have (former Maryland defensive coordinator) Don Brown here too, the coaches are not playing the game, I promise you that. I promise you they are not going to be in for one play. They are not playing, they are not up they are not in he game plan so you guys  need to get ready to play the opponent so let's concentrate on that."

UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni said that knee injuries will keep senior defensive end Teddy Jennings and junior defensive tackle Shamar Stephen out of action for Saturday's game against North Carolina State.

It would be challenging enough to face the Wolfpack with the full complement of defensive linemen but going forward without two of the more underrated linemen on the squad is certainly a cause for concern among the UConn staff.

North Carolina State's starting offensive line had combined to play 137 games and start 104 of them with 85 of those starts coming from guards Zach Allen and R.J. Mattes and center Camden Wentz.


"This will be by far our biggest challenge," Pasqualoni said. "It is a very good offensive line, players who have been in big games. We'll find out where we are this week."

Here is what Pasqualoni had to say in updating the status of Stephen (who injured his knee during fall camp) and Jennings, who was hurt in the third quarter of Thursday's win over UMass.

"Right now I would say that Shamar, for this week, is out. We had an evaluation over the weekend and it is not realistic (that he will be back). I could say he is questionable but my sense is he is going to be out for this week. Losing Teddy is a big deal for us. He is one of three (defensive ends) in the rotation for us, he  is a senior and a good player so that is a huge loss for us. Somebody else is going to have to step it up. Timmy Willman  came in and stepped it up, E.J. Norris played a little bit as a freshman and he stepped it up. The way I always looked at a guy being injured, you don't get emotional or sad about it. You get the next guy and put them in the game, keep going that is what you have to do. Those guys are going to pick it up.

"I thought (senior defensive tackle) Ryan Wirth played a solid game for us. I thought he played pretty solid. I think the younger guys in there Angelo Pruitt, Julian Campenni, they've got technique there, they gave effort but they have to keep going. They still have Mykal Myers in the wings, we still have B.J. McBride, they have to continue to improve and get better in there."

Pasqualoni also addressed UConn's non-conference schedule which features the next two games against ACC squads.

"I think in this day and age with how important every conference victory is,  preferably early in the year you'd like to have a game where you say 'OK,  this is our early  first game of the year and we are going to go out and work out the kinks.' From there non-conference wise we  are going to play some good people, we are going to have some ACC people, Big 10 people, SEC people and we have always done that and see how we stack up against that level of play. Hopefully we will be battle tested and know exactly where we are when we go into the conference schedule.

"We have two ACC teams, Western Michigan is an awfully good team. I know everybody considers the MAC not to be the ACC or SEC but they are a very good team. Buffalo went down to Athens, Georgia and are hanging right with Georgia Bulldogs... I am happy with the schedule right now."

Of all the numbers to crunch off Thursday night's season-opening 37-0 win none may be more impressive as 38 as in that UMass got no further than its own 38 yard line in being shutout for the first time in 199 games.

The defensive stars were many. Sophomore middle linebacker Yawin Smallwood led the way with seven tackles and 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and a sack. Trevardo Williams also had a sack (the 20th of his career) while Dwayne Gratz returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.

When the game is replayed there will be no lack of highlight-variety hits to catch the attention of the viewers.

"We are going to go for the big hits," Smallwood said. "We are going to go for the big plays and make sure we make the big plays. I feel like that is going to help our defense out going forward."

Pasqualoni loves the speed of the defense but he was quick to note that UConn was playing a UMass team playing its first game at the FBS level.

"We practice that way," Pasqualoni said. "We practice fast. I don't know if it is going to look that fast next week. We've got guys who can run. Blidi (Wreh-Wilson), the corners can run they really can. Sio (Moore) can run, Yawin can run pretty good. The two defensive ends, Trevardo (Williams) can run so we've got some guys (who can run)."

Chandler Whitmer was 7 of 9 passing in the second half and finished with 219 yards. He'd like to have both of his interceptions back but he was able to get the ball to seven different receivers led by sophomore Geremy Davis' five receptions. Nick Williams finished with 143 all-purpose yards while Lyle McCombs ran for 82 yards and had another 23 receiving.

Williams was not the only star on special teams as Chad Christen was 3 for 3 on field goals and had four touchdowns on kickoffs while Taylor Mack blocked a punt which was recovered in the end zone by Max DeLorenzo.

The downer from the game could be the knee injury suffered by senior defensive end Teddy Jennings.

"I don't know for sure (the extent of the injury). I haven't been in the training room."

Also, with the investigation into academic irregularities going on at Hillhouse where there are accusations of changing course names and altering grade to get athletics eligible to play by the NCAA, I asked Pasqualoni for an update on Hillhouse grad and freshman offensive lineman Rennick Bryan. I did not see Bryan on the sidelines and he did not play.

"We are just trying to gather as much information as we can right now," Pasqualoni said.

BIG NIGHT FOR FORMER HUSKIES
It's uncertain whether former UConn stars Marcus Easley and Jordan Todman will be on NFL rosters when the teams go from 75 players to 53 by this afternoon but they certainly aided their cause on Thursday night.

Easley returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, caught the ensuing 2-point conversion and also had a 20-yard reception in Buffalo's 38-32 loss to Detroit while Todman had a 76-yard touchdown run in Minnesota's 28-24 loss to Houston. Todman ran 10 times for 114 yards and also caught five passes for 21 yards. I also thought it was interesting that Kashif Moore not only signed with Indianapolis earlier this week but he played and had a 15-yard catch for the Colts against Cincinnati, the team that cut him.