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The University of Connecticut football team raced out to a 56-7 victory in the season opener against Lafayette on Saturday afternoon.

Coming off a 9-4 season, expectations are certainly solid for the Huskies, but in the wake of losing head coach Jim Mora, starting running back Cam Edwards, starting quarterback Joe Fagnano and All-American wide receiver Skyler Bell, no one really knows how things will go in Storrs.

But Saturday was a great way to answer questions about how everyone moves forward.

On offense, the Huskies registered 671 total yards, their most-ever in a single-game. Quarterback Kalieb Osborne was at the forefront of it all, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 90 yards and a score. He earned a weekly honor for his performance.

And that latter statistical point is a big one: Osborne's legs offer this team a different dynamic, even than the one it had under Fagnano a season ago.

How Osborne's legs help head coach Jason Candle 

1) Simply put, the team can call designed runs that put the ball in Osborne's hands. At the end of the day, the name of the game is getting the ball in the hands of your playmakers. If Osborne is one of your best playmakers, than the ball should be in his hands as often as possible.

2) If defenses begin to key on Osborne's running ability, and if they start to gameplan around it, then the pass game should open up. If a linebacker begins to "spy," then that means there's one less player in coverage for receivers, backs and tight ends down the field. Sometimes, even the threat of the quarterback run is enough to open things up.

3) Without Bell, no one is saying that this group of Huskies receivers is dynamic enough to win 1-on-1 battles all over the field, especially against top competition. Therefore, if Osborne can extend plays with his legs, he gives his receivers more time to create separation down the field.

Up next

The Huskies will get a much bigger test next week when they welcome Maryland to town for a 3:30 p.m. ET matchup on Saturday. The Terrapins, of the Big Ten Conference, opened up their season on Saturday with a 62-0 win over Hampton. 

Maryland was just 4-8 a season ago, and only 1-8 in the conference. They were just 1-4 away from home as well, so it's impossible to think that UConn can play with a power conference foe.

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