Media Day: Week 1, Ohio

Don't call them Ohio U. or OSU. That's what the Ohio University game notes say. I kid you not.

Anyhow, sorry for the late post. Immediately after leaving Storrs, I had a newspaper to put out.

Coach Randy Edsall is glad to see game week arrive -- you know they are tired of hitting each other.

* He said that Zach Frazer is ready to be the starting QB. Edsall said Frazer throws well, is tough, a competitor, is smart and has a presence that commands respect from the other guys in the huddle. For his part, Frazer said he has been waiting for this opportunity (to be the unquestioned starter). It's been a long road considering he hasn't been the guy since high school.

Frazer said, in response to questions about his concussions last year, that he is wearing the best helmet possible to protect his noggin.

* Edsall has been pleased with Desi Cullen and Dave Teggart in camp and expects that to continue.

* Another person who has impressed is freshman Jesse Joseph. He'll be starting at defensive end, and the time he spent on campus and around the team and coaching staff going back to January, appears to be the deciding edge over another true freshman, Trevardo Williams. The Huskies really like these guys and could be bookends for the next three years once Lindsay Witten graduates.

"He's one of those players that has a knack for the game. He has very good savvy. he's a competitor, he's gotten stronger since January. ... He just has that innate ability to understand the game and play with good leverage," Edsall said of Joseph.

I'll tell you this, you don't hear coaches use savvy too often when describing players. That makes me think UConn believes it found another gem in Canada.

* With it being Week One,Edsall said that if players have trouble getting their focus right for this game, it will be tough to do so later on as the season progresses.

* Injuries/suspensions update: Harris Agbor is still out. John Yurek (safety) is having surgery on Sept. 18, and OL Jimmy Bennett;s surgery went well and "they are very pleased with where he's at already," Edsall said.

* The coach was asked about the allegations at Michigan, and understandably, Edsall was careful with his words as he is friends with Rich Rodriguez. He gave us a breakdown of how the Huskies spend their week.

Sunday (4 hours):
50 minutes of weight training
2 hours meetings
1 hour, 10 minutes practice

Monday (off).

Tuesday (4 hours)
1 hour, 10 minutes meetings

Wednesday (4 hours)
50 minutes of weight training
2 hours meetings
1 hour, 10 minutes practice

Thursday
meetings

Friday (2 hours, 10 minutes)
I imagine all practice time

Saturday (3 hours)
Game

Grand total 19 hours, 35 minutes. Edsall wasn't clear with all of the breakdowns time-wise. By deduction, Thursday is 2 hours, 25 minutes. I also believe the team practices Thursday's, but I don't have the split.

I'll try to post some more during the day Wednesday, with some quotes from the team.