26 BIG 12
BAYLOR BEARS
UConn running backs exploit Baylor defense
By Justin Baer
Baylor Lariat
In 2008. Baylor's inability to stop running back Donald Brown hindered the Bears from upsetting the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Conn.
Brown's overwhelming game in which he rushed for 150 yards against Baylor proved to be a microcosm of his season, as the eventual Big East Offensive Player of the Year ended his junior campaign leading the NCAA with 1,822 rushing yards.
With Brown moving on to the Indianapolis Colts and the Huskies relegated to their second-string quarterback, Baylor's prospects seemed favorable for Saturday's contest.
Instead, running backs Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman tormented Baylor's defense in a humbling 30-22 loss at Floyd Casey Stadium.
The tandem effectively filled Brown's gargantuan void and, with the help of a veteran offensive line, exploited Baylor's defense.
The two combined for 53 carries and 252 yards, while Dixon made his way to the end zone three times.
"(Dixon) was doing a good job of hiding behind those guys and just squeezing forward," senior free safety Jordan Lake said.
"When they have a big line like they had, you lose sight of (the running backs), and they just matriculated downfield," said Lake.
As evidenced by Baylor players lingering off the field late in the game, the Huskies' relentless running game exhausted the Bears' defense.
In all, UConn had 81 offensive plays compared to Baylor's 48,and the Huskies had the ball for nearly twice as long as Baylor did.
"It was a concern, because we weren't controlling the ball on offense and we were letting their defense rest," head coach Art Briles said.
"We wanted to tempo it up and get their defense tired and then try to wear them down. If you're not making first downs that's not happening."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Connecticut's Andre Dixon (2) gets past Baylor's Tim Atchison (8), Byron Landor (14) and Jordan Lake (21) for a third-quarter touchdown during their game last Saturday in Waco, Texas. Contriburie won 30-22.
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 25,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN