DETROIT (AP) - Connecticut can play football, too. UConn cruised to a 39-10 win over Toledo Monday in the Motor City Bowl in the Huskies' first bowl appearance since becoming a full Division I-A team three years ago.<br>
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The Huskies (8-4) dominated in every phase of the game. Bowl MVP Dan Orlovsky threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns and Matt Nuzie kicked a career-best four field goals.<br>
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The UConn defense held the Rockets (9-4) to just 78 yards on the ground. Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who broke his throwing hand in the Mid-American Conference championship on Dec. 2, struggled in the first half. He scored the Rockets only TD on a one-yard run. Backup quarterback Marques Council played the second half, throwing for 160 yards with two interceptions.<br>
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The Huskies' special teams, led by Nuzie, also shone in their bowl debut. Larry Taylor ran back a 68-yard punt for a score in the first quarter, his first of the year.<br>
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The Huskies got their biggest lift with the return of defensive end Tyler King. The 6-foot-5 senior made his first start since breaking his leg on Sept. 30 in a win over Pittsburgh.<br>
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King and his teammates were ready for every trick play the Rockets tried to run. King recovered a fumble on Toledo's fake punt in the first half. Four plays later Orlovsky hit Jason Williams for a 32-yard touchdown. Orlovsky also hit Brian Sparks with a 7-yard scoring pass late in the second quarter.<br>
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The Huskies began their upgrade from Division I-AA six years ago when the school hired coach Randy Edsall. They joined the Big East this season, finishing 3-3 in the league. Their 23-13 run over the past three years is the best in school history over a three-year span.<br>
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Orlovsky completed 20 of 41 passes before he was taken out in the closing seconds to a standing ovation from the thousands of UConn fans, who have cheered the school's championship basketball teams over the years.<br>
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Council completed 16 of 28 passes for the MAC champs. Gradkowski was 6-of-12 for 43 yards.<br>
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Keron Henry led Connecticut's receivers with nine catches for 109 yards, while Cornell Brockington led the UConn ground game with 72 yards rushing. Matt Lawrence scored the Huskies only rushing TD - an 11-yarder with under 3 minutes to play.
