Frank Vertucci is gonna RUN BABY RUN!
Frank Verducci, a 31-year veteran of the coaching profession with experience in both college football and the NFL, is in his first season as the offensive coordinator at UConn this fall and has position responsibility with the Husky running backs.
1. Verducci was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach in 2011 at Florida and helped lead the Gators to a 24-17 win over Ohio State in the Gator Bowl.
2. Verducci was the offensive line and run game coordinator at Notre Dame during the 2009 season as the Irish ranked eighth in the country in total offense at 451.75 yards per game. He coached six offensive linemen that made NFL rosters.
3. Successful running attacks have been a common theme over the course of Verducci's collegiate coaching career. As Iowa's run game coordinator (1995-98), the Hawkeyes' single game (314), single season (1,691) and career (4,156) rushing records were eclipsed. The 1994 team set a record for fewest sacks allowed (10) in a season.
4. In 1997, running Tavian Banks set an NCAA record for fewest carries to reach 1,000 yards. During a five season span, the combination of Sedrick Shaw and Banks rushed to Iowa records for single game (4), single season ( 17) and career (33) rushing TDS. Both backs combined to rush for 66 TDs during that period
5. During the 2014 season at Northern Iowa, the team set single season and career records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns while reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs. That team was the only squad to defeat FCS National Champion North Dakota State, ending a 33 game winning streak in the process. Offensive tackle Jack Rummels was selected first team Walter Camp All-American and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
6. In 10 NFL seasons, Verducci contributed to the NFL single game rushing record (Cincinnati Bengals Corey Dillon -- 276 yards vs. Denver in 2000) along with Emmitt Smith's march past Walter Payton to set the NFL career rushing title in Dallas during the 2002 season.
7. Verducci worked with future NFL Hall of Famers Smith and Larry Allen during his time with the Cowboys. Verducci helped produce 1,000 yard rushers at each stop in Cincinnati (Corey Dillon), Buffalo (Willis McGahee) and Cleveland (Jamaal Lewis).
BOTTOM LINE - VERTUCCI AND A REVAMPED UCONN LINE COULD MAKE ARKEEL NEWSOME AND RON JOHNSON WEALTHY MEN IN THE NFL.
ARKEEL'S NUMBERS SHOULD BE OFF THE CHARTS THIS YEAR!
PS: Did I mention that we will have a two 6'6" 250 lb tight end set this year!!!