Huskies' record deceiving

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina fans might be more familiar with Connecticut's basketball program than the football team that will play the Gamecocks in the Jan. 2 Papajohns.com Bowl.

Here are a few things to know about the 7-5 football Huskies. (Special thanks to Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant for helping to educate a USC beat reporter.)

1. Don't be fooled by that record.

Connecticut was competitive -- very much so -- in every game it played this fall.

The five losses were by a total of 15 points.

The Huskies lost 12-10 to North Carolina, falling because of a holding penalty in the end zone. They lost 24-21 at Pitt, 28-24 at West Virginia, 28-24 to Rutgers and 47-45 at Cincinnati.

So, as you see, all very close. The largest margin of defeat was four points. That's it.

All five of those teams (including the four in the Big East), by the way, will play in bowl games.

2. It's been an emotional season.

You might've heard about this one. Jasper Howard, a 20-year-old junior, was stabbed to death following UConn's home victory against Louisville.

With half the season still left to play, coach Randy Edsall held the team together as Howard was buried. Steve Spurrier credited Edsall's grace in the midst of the fire.

The Huskies have united to play for Howard's memory.

3. Connecticut will challenge SouthCarolina's defense.

When UConn churned out Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Donald Brown, many expected the Huskies to fall off offensively.

But Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman complement one another in ways similar to James Davis and C.J. Spiller for Clemson a year ago.

Dixon is the between-the-tackles physical runner. Todman is the speedy edge back that can take any handoff the distance.

Combined, they average 177 rushing yards a game.

But the Huskies, for really the first time under Edsall, aren't one-dimensional.

Joe Moorhead came from Akron to take over as the team's offensive coordinator this year.

The Huskies initially struggled to pick up Moorhead's spread offense, but have gradually gotten the hang of it. Now they're sufficiently balanced.

Fourth-year junior quarterback Zach Frazer has been efficient. Former walk-on Marcus Easley, who didn't earn a scholarship until this year, is now turning NFL scouts' heads.

All-SEC linebacker Eric Norwood and the Gamecocks could have their hands full.

4. A good day could be in store for Garcia.

Connecticut will likely have to find a way to outscore USC.

Unlike the Outback Bowl, Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia could very well flourish in this bowl game.

The Huskies' greatest weaknesses on defense? Defending the pass (they're 94th nationally) and stopping a mobile quarterback.

South Carolina is second in the SEC in passing yardage and features a pure dual-threat QB.

UConn is generally small up front but has a great pass-rusher in senior Lindsey Witten, who is tied for seventh (with TCU stud Jerry Hughes) in the FBS with 11 1/2 sacks.

You get the feeling this is a game in which South Carolina can really take advantage of having larger receivers. Getting Tori Gurley and Alshon Jeffery on the field at the same time could be a good December goal.

Something akin to the Clemson game plan, with Garcia running enough to keep the opposition honest, might work well.

One other note: No South Carolinians, but the Huskies have several players from SEC states. There are five Georgians, for instance.

5. Edsall might not coach the bowl game.

Key word here is might. Edsall's name has surfaced for the Notre Dame job, and it could for others if the Irish go in another direction.

Word has it the Golden Domers are in the market for a defensive-minded head coach. Edsall qualifies.

Edsall has built this program up since it joined Division I-A/FBS at the turn of the millennium.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks.