STORYLINES
UConn enters the 2014 season with a three-game winning streak after the Huskies bounced back from an 0-9 start to the 2013 campaign.
First-year head coach Bob Diaco joins the Huskies after spending the last four seasons as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Diaco helped the Irish reach the BCS National Championship game in 2012.
UConn will face five of its 12 opponents for the first time in the 2014 season.
OFFENSE
UConn returns three quarterbacks who started four games each last season, including QB Casey Cochran, who finished the year as the starter. The Huskies went 3-1 with Cochran as the starting quarterback. Cochran has been pegged as the Opening Day starter, though QB Chandler Whitmer should see considerable action as well.
The Huskies have returning starters at four of six offensive skill positions.
WR Geremy Davis became the first UConn player to register 1,000 receiving yards in a season since the Huskies elevated their program to FBS status. Davis had 71 catches for 1,085 yards and three touchdowns last year.
The top returning rusher is RB Max DiLorenzo, who ran for 349 yards and five touchdowns last season.
C Alex Mateas is the only returning starter on the offensive line.
DEFENSE
After holding just one of their first nine opponents to fewer than 24 points, the Huskies allowed no more than 21 points in each of their last three games in 2013.
The Huskies return five starters from a defense that forced eight turnovers in the last three games of the 2013 season.
UConn will need to replace a pair of defensive backs who were drafted by NFL teams. CB Byron Jones returns after he had a team-high three interceptions after moving from safety to cornerback last season. S Obi Melifonwu registered 70 tackles and two interceptions a year ago.
DT Julian Campenni and DE Angelo Pruitt are the only returning starters on the defensive line. Pruitt is a veteran of 18 career starts.
LB Jefferson Ashiru is the only returning starter at linebacker. Ashiru had 57 tackles and seven tackles for loss last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
UConn will have to replace both kicking specialists from last year.
K Bobby Puyol, who saw action in the 2012 season finale against Cincinnati, is projected as the starting placekicker.
P Justin Wain and P Blake Feagles will battle for the regular punting chores.