A Fast Start Propels Connecticut to a Win

Dan Orlovsky wanted to linger as long as possible and savor the latest milestone for Connecticut.

By the time he trotted to the sidelines in the closing minutes to a standing ovation, he had thrown for 239 yards and two touchdowns to lead Connecticut to a 39-10 victory Monday over Toledo in the Motor City Bowl. It was the Huskies’ first bowl appearance since becoming a Division I-A team three years ago.

“I didn’t want to come off the field,” Orlovsky said. “Me being stubborn, I just wanted to play. But it was great feeling to walk off the field and have the fans cheer like that.”

Thousands of Connecticut fans were part of the record Motor City Bowl crowd of 52,552. For years they have cheered on the Huskies’ powerhouse men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Now Connecticut has become a force in football.

“Before this year I heard people say UConn has arrived. UConn has arrived now, literally,” Orlovsky said.

The Huskies (8-4) dominated, holding the Rockets to a season-low 10 points.

Their defense held the Rockets (9-4) to only 78 rushing yards. Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who broke his throwing hand in the Mid-American Conference championship on Dec. 2, struggled in the first half. He scored the Rockets’ only touchdown on a one-yard run. Backup Marques Council played the second half, throwing for 160 yards with two interceptions.

“It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be and it was better to get a healthy guy out there who could do the job,” Gradkowski said.

The Huskies’ special teams also shone in their bowl debut. Matt Nuzie kicked a career-best four field goals and added three extra points. Larry Taylor returned a punt 68 yards for a score in the first quarter, giving Connecticut a 17-0 lead.

The Rockets began the game averaging 35.2 points but, behind their injured quarterback, could muster little in the way of offense.

“It doesn’t happen very often and it’s a rare thing,” Toledo Coach Tom Amstutz said. “I give UConn a lot of credit. We just didn’t have all our guys going.”

The Huskies also got a big lift with the return of defensive end Tyler King. The 6-foot-5 senior made his first start since breaking his leg on Sept. 30 in a victory over Pittsburgh.

The Huskies began their upgrade from Division I-AA six years ago when the school hired Randy Edsall.

They joined the Big East this season, finishing 3-3 in the conference. Their 23-13 run over the last three years is the best in school history over a three-year span.

Orlovsky completed 20 of 41 passes.