Oct 17, 2015; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies linebacker Luke Carrezola (15) reacts to a play against the South Florida Bulls in the first half at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the Wednesday of Houston week and the defense just gave up a first down run, right up the gut. As the front seven jogs to the sidelines, one voice rises above a clearly disappointed group.

‘Come on, that’s not good enough guys,’ it exclaimed. ‘We’re better than that.’

It was the voice of sophomore defensive end/linebacker Luke Carrezola, who has slowly become the emotional leader on the field for the Huskies front seven. The Langhorne, PA native, who has recorded six sacks on the year, has been a difference maker. He missed the second half of his freshman season, but immediately made his presence felt in the season opener against Villanova and has not looked back.

“I love the game, I fell in love with it at a young age,” he said after practice on Tuesday in Storrs, when talking about the energy he brings. “Whenever I’m out here, I try to play every play like it’s my last, that’s something we talk about here. I think showing my emotions to other guys has them show their emotions. When all that happens and comes together it can become an unstoppable force, honestly. That’s how much I care about this program and care about this team and I love showing that on Saturday’s.”

Just a second-year player, he reaps the leadership qualities that this coaching staff has been instilling into their players. Carrezola has taken it to heart and sees his leadership qualities as part of who he is. A two-time high school captain, he is bringing that skillset this season.

“It’s definitely something I continue to work on and develop, that’s how I see myself,” Carrezola added. “I’ve always had that type of attitude and I have so much of a stronger connection with this team than last year, since I was only a freshman. As the season goes on and days go by, I just become more attached with all these guys and I just show them how much I care and try to lead them so we can win games.”

The Huskies will be tested by No. 25 Temple on Saturday in Philadelphia, which is a homecoming of sorts for Carrezola, who grew up just twenty-five miles from the city. He’s looked forward to playing at Lincoln Financial Field all season and will have as many as seventy family and friends in attendance.

Stopping quarterback PJ Walker and running back Jahad Thomas will be a tough task for the Huskies defensive front, but they’ve been solid up front all year and have consistently gotten better, week to week.

“I think we’ve progressed,” Carrezola confirmed. “Our front seven, guys like Foley, Campenni, Mike Myers, Kenton, Cam, we’ve all just worked on our game every day in practice and it shows in games when they try to run the ball on us.”

If the Huskies do slow down the Owls up front, it could be the catalyst towards preventing the Owls from advancing to the inaugural AAC Championship game. Do that and it would be just the second victory against a ranked opponent on the road in the history of the program, which would make Satruday’s homecoming for Carrezola, even sweeter.