Saturday is the second time an SEC opponent comes to The Rent and head coach Randy Edsall is well aware of the benefits a victory can have for the program moving forward. He is 2-2 in his career at UConn against the SEC, 2-0 with wins over South Carolina and Vanderbilt after the full transition to FBS and the opening of Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. The only time a team from down south came up to Connecticut, UConn dominated Vanderbilt in the second half en route to a 40-21 win.

So is this game different and does it change the approach Edsall takes in preparation for Saturday? If you follow him and the program closely, you already know the answer.

“It’s a whole lot different now than what it was when I was here before because of the jump [to FBS] that we were making,” Edsall said. “We proved as a program that we could beat other good teams from other big-time conferences. What we need to do is go out and do the same thing. Now they have the differential instead of BCS, it’s now Power-5, Group-of-6 and Power-6. I’m trying to approach it that this game is just as important as all the other games we have played.”

Is the SEC designation a topic of conversation this week?

“To me it doesn’t matter that Missouri is in the SEC,” he said. “You talk about that, but it’s a game on our schedule and we need to go try to win and try to do everything we can. I’m taking that approach, not that our conference is here and they are up-here, other people are going to do that anyhow. I’m trying to get these kids to believe in the process and if they do the process right then we have a chance to go win the games against the teams we have on our schedule. But anytime you can get a win against an SEC team or any other conference that people have above you, I think that’s always good for our program.”

The Huskies will be up against a Missouri offense that is explosive, fast and can beat you a multitude of ways through the air.

“We have a tremendous challenge on Saturday against what I think is a very athletic and very fast Missouri team,” Edsall said. “You watch them on film, they make big plays in the passing game. Their quarterback Drew Lock was the leading passer in the SEC last year. They have some outstanding receivers who can really run.”

It’s clear the Huskies recognize the task in front of them and after two wins, Edsall was in a joking manner.

“I called the NCAA to see if we can get an extra guy to play this week so we can have twelve instead of eleven on defense,” he said. “All you need to do is put the film on, but then they put in their tight end [Albert Okwuegbunam] and he sets records for them (three touchdown receptions in last week’s win over Idaho). They are talented. They have three receivers, a tight end and a quarterback that are very, very good. We are going to have to play well and have attention to detail. Look at 6’3″ 200-lbs, 6’3″ 205-lbs and their tight end is 6’5″ 260-lbs and our guys are a little bit smaller, so that creates a challenge as well. There are some things we can do which I won’t get into, but we are going to have to execute extremely well.”

ARKEEL NEWSOME OUT FOR EXTENDED PERIOD:

Running back Arkeel Newsome will not be in action on Saturday and for the foreseeable future.

“Arkeel will probably be out three-to-four weeks with his injury,” Edsall said. “It’s a clavicle-sternum issue. We’re looking at three-to-four weeks with him being out.”

It’s a big loss for the Huskies offense, but an even bigger note is the timetable. With just five games remaining, there’s a chance that Newsome may not return to the field again before the close of the season if his recovery time hits a hint of a delay. If that occurs, that would mean his career at UConn has come to an end.

However, if the Huskies do make a run here, given they are 3-4, a bowl game is still in play and that would guarantee Newsome is able to don the UConn uniform at least one more time. The loss of Newsome hurts not just the Huskies running game, but he’s also been the most explosive player in the passing game (26th in nation with 18.5 YPC).

“Arkeel has been very productive, he’s had a very good year,” Edsall added. “I feel bad for him, but just like anything else you need to move forward. Injuries are part of the game, it’s unfortunate and he was playing very, very well. He was making a lot of big plays, but we need to move forward and other guys need to step up, but we aren’t going to change our whole offense, that’s for sure.”

With Newsome out, expect to see more targets for Quayvon Skanes in the passing game, who brings similar traits as a receiver, to the Huskies offense.

OTHER INJURY NEWS:

Kick returner Kyle Buss and DE Connor Freeborn will not be in action on Saturday, but the Huskies do get some good news as defensive lineman James Atkins has returned to the practice field, which will give some much-needed depth to the Huskies up-front.

“I doubt [Kyle Buss] will play this week,” Edsall confirmed. “Connor Freeborn won’t play, but James Atkins is back though, he practiced today. He got some reps in and he could get some playing time which could help us. I thought Cam Stapleton did a good job, but Kyle and Connor won’t play this week. S Brice McAllister won’t play either. CB Tahj Herring-Wilson didn’t do anything today, he’s a couple weeks away, but the good thing is, we have other guys out there that are working and are one play away. Kyle Williams has gotten in on special teams, he’s a back-up [at CB] and is just loving life when he gets an opportunity to get in to play. That’s what you love to see, kids having that kind of an attitude.”

MATT SCHONVISKY / SITE CREATOR