[U Conn's] Moore Will Start Despite Broken Arm

[Jim Johnson]

From the Hartford Courant:

Moore Will Start Despite Broken Arm

October 6, 2006

By SHAWN COURCHESNE, Courant Staff Writer

STORRS -- UConn linebacker Donta Moore will start Saturday against South Florida despite breaking his right arm in the Navy game.

"He's practiced and I think he's gotten a little bit better each day out there and a little bit more comfortable with the brace that we have on him," coach Randy Edsall said Thursday. "He's used his hand more each and every day."

With UConn traveling this week to Moore's hometown of Tampa and coming off a loss, Moore didn't want to miss a game.

He expects about 40 relatives and friends to be at Raymond James Stadium. But getting the chance to play in front of them wasn't the biggest factor in Moore's decision to play through the pain. He wanted to help the UConn defense rebound from its embarrassing showing against Navy.

"It's not just about going home to play," Moore said Thursday. "That had to do with it, but at the same time it's our first Big East game and we just came off a loss, and I feel like with me on the field and the rest of our defense that gives us the best chance to win. So it's really more about the team. We've got to get a win. If I've got to play with a broken arm to get that win, then that's what I've got to do."

Moore said he broke his arm on Navy's second offensive play. He returned to the game in the second half.

"It was the first option they ran," Moore said. "The quarterback came my way with the ball. When I hit him my forearm hit his leg and I guess he was in full stride when I hit it. I stayed in three more series after that to try to work the pain off but it got worse so I came out of the game.

"I thought I was done, but they told me if I could deal with the pain I could still play. They gave me a shot for it and I was all right to come back in the second half."

Moore is second on the team with 27 tackles (Danny Lansanah has 30) and leads the team in tackles for losses with 71/2. He has practiced all week with a fiberglass cast on his arm that he said hinders him a little.

"It's business as usual," Moore said. "It's just a piece of plastic over my arm. My hand is free so I can still grab. I can catch but it's kind of hard because the cast runs across the palm of my hand. But if I get my hands on the ball I should be able to catch it."

Brouse To Start

Edsall said that Steve Brouse will start at tight end against South Florida with Dan Murray the backup. Murray, who missed the first three games after sustaining a high left ankle sprain late in summer practice, returned last week and played sparingly.

"He's still working his way back in," Edsall said. "His repetitions went up [this week in practice] more than it was a week ago. He'll have more reps but I don't think he's in a position yet to start this week." ... The team will leave today for Tampa but Edsall sent seven of his coaches to Florida Thursday to get in some high school scouting at Friday night games.

There are 15 players from Florida currently on the UConn roster.

"I think it's important," Edsall said. "A lot of schools from the Big East go down and recruit in Florida."

Edsall is sending coaches to Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Naples and two to the Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach areas.

Contact Shawn Courchesne at

scourchesne@courant.com