If you look at the box score from UConn football’s blowout loss at Michigan this past Saturday, a familiar name led the team in rushing attempts.
Former Bristol Central superstar Victor Rosa carried the ball a team-high, and career-high 14 times in The Big House against Michigan, though he gained just 23 yards. No Husky gained more than Zion Turner’s 46 yards. It was a tough day on the ground for UConn, which had just 86 yards rushing on 33 attempts.
UConn head coach Jim Mora Jr. is clearly high on Rosa and what the true freshman brings to the table.
“He’s tough as heck, tough as nails; he’s a stud,” Mora Jr. said in a phone conference held Sunday following the Michigan loss. “Yes, he had the fumble where he dropped the handoff, but Victor Rosa, I’ll take guys like him all day long, he’s a tough son of a gun.”
Mora Jr. later said that he loves the way Rosa practices and plays. In the 48-14 home loss against Syracuse on Sept. 10, Rosa caught two passes for 13 yards, ran a kickoff back 20 yards, returned a punt eight yards, and garnered four rushing attempts. The receptions were the first of Rosa’s career.
Rosa could see even more time on the field Saturday night at North Carolina State, with the absence of fellow running back Nate Carter due to a shoulder separation. Injuries have been an issue for the Huskies (1-3) so far this season.
Rosa has carried the ball 20 times in three games and scored one touchdown, which came in UConn’s lone win of the season against Central Connecticut State on Sept. 3.
Photo credit: UConn athletics.
