Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBonislawski gains weight, starting job
By Jeff Tiberii
Posted: 10/6/05, 12:51 AM EST Section: Sports
Three autumns ago, Matt Bonislawski arrived in Storrs, Conn. with the expectations of very few. The gangly 6-foot, 3-inch quarterback achieved many high school records in his native Pennsylvania, but this was different. This was Division I-A football, and his size was in question.
Now a redshirt junior signal caller for Connecticut, Bonislawski earned his nickname, "Bones," for his gaunt appearance upon his arrival to the Constitution State, but at that time he didn't earn instant respect.
"It is tough to find the words," said former UConn QB and current Detroit Lion, Dan Orlovsky. "When he first got on campus, I really didn't think he would have the chance to play. I didn't have the gut feeling that this guy could be the leader of the team and make plays for them. He came in a pretty scrawny kid."
Bonislawski is now the starting quarterback for the Huskies, a year after backing up Orlovsky. This season, his fourth in the UConn offensive system, Bonislawski is blossoming. His Huskies will play Syracuse on Friday at 8 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn.
Orlovsky, who owns just about every UConn passing record (more than 10,000 yards and 80 touchdowns), talks to his former roommate Bonislawski (now 207 pounds) on the phone every day.
The Huskies (3-1, 0-0 Big East) run the same kind of scheme it has in each of its six years as a I-A program, but with Bonislawski under center they are more versatile. Bonislawski is completing nearly 58 percent of his passes (54-for-94, 585 yards) and has six touchdowns. On the ground he's managed 152 yards - impressive, considering UConn has three backs that have more carries.
"He has come a long way," UConn head coach Randy Edsall said. "I judge a quarterback by his record and he is 3-1 as a starter."
Bonislawski has thrown four interceptions in 2005, three of them coming in his worst game - a 28-13 loss to Georgia Tech. But even if the Huskies' other three opponents were Buffalo, Liberty and Army, it should be noted they outscored the opposition 144-13.
Now a redshirt junior signal caller for Connecticut, Bonislawski earned his nickname, "Bones," for his gaunt appearance upon his arrival to the Constitution State, but at that time he didn't earn instant respect.
"It is tough to find the words," said former UConn QB and current Detroit Lion, Dan Orlovsky. "When he first got on campus, I really didn't think he would have the chance to play. I didn't have the gut feeling that this guy could be the leader of the team and make plays for them. He came in a pretty scrawny kid."
Bonislawski is now the starting quarterback for the Huskies, a year after backing up Orlovsky. This season, his fourth in the UConn offensive system, Bonislawski is blossoming. His Huskies will play Syracuse on Friday at 8 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn.
Orlovsky, who owns just about every UConn passing record (more than 10,000 yards and 80 touchdowns), talks to his former roommate Bonislawski (now 207 pounds) on the phone every day.
The Huskies (3-1, 0-0 Big East) run the same kind of scheme it has in each of its six years as a I-A program, but with Bonislawski under center they are more versatile. Bonislawski is completing nearly 58 percent of his passes (54-for-94, 585 yards) and has six touchdowns. On the ground he's managed 152 yards - impressive, considering UConn has three backs that have more carries.
"He has come a long way," UConn head coach Randy Edsall said. "I judge a quarterback by his record and he is 3-1 as a starter."
Bonislawski has thrown four interceptions in 2005, three of them coming in his worst game - a 28-13 loss to Georgia Tech. But even if the Huskies' other three opponents were Buffalo, Liberty and Army, it should be noted they outscored the opposition 144-13.
