Towson @ UConn preview

After a pair of inconsistent 5-7 seasons, coach Paul Pasqualoni looks to get Connecticut back to a bowl game in his third year. The Huskies begin that quest with what could be a much-improved offense when they host dangerous Towson on Thursday night. Chandler Whitmer returns for a second season at quarterback and Connecticut expects running back Lyle McCombs to find his 1,000-yard form of 2011, which would boost a team that was tied for 110th out of 120 FBS teams in total offense last year.

Towson is ranked 12th in the FCS preseason poll and should pose a strong test for the Huskies’ defense, which lost four players who were drafted in the NFL. Running back Terrance West, who rushed for 2,345 yards and scored 44 touchdowns combined the last two seasons, leads the Tigers on offense. Towson is coached by Rob Ambrose, who was an assistant for the Huskies from 2002-08.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None

ABOUT TOWSON (2012: 7-4, 6-2 Colonial Athletic Association): The key to the Tigers’ success might be the play of fifth-year senior quarterback Peter Athens, who won a close battle with sophomore Connor Frazier for the starting nod. Athens, who started six games in 2009 as a freshman and one in 2011, will replace 65.6-percent passer Grant Enders. West should help after gaining 5.4 yards per carry for an offense that averaged 31.9 points in 2012 and returns an experienced offensive line.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (2012: 5-7, 2-5 Big East): The Huskies have five starters back from a defense that finished ninth best in the nation in average yards against (309.92) and 19th in points allowed (19.83). Linebacker Yawin Smallwood, who averaged 10 tackles a game, leads a young group that will be especially tested in the secondary. Whitmer recorded 16 interceptions and only nine touchdown passes in 2012, but threw for 2,659 yards and has his top receiver Geremy Davis (44 catches, 608 yards) back.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Towson won the only other meeting 28-27 on Oct. 2, 1993 at Connecticut.

2. McCombs had 860 yards rushing and six TDs last year after totaling 1,151 yards and scoring eight times – one on a pass reception – as a freshman in 2011.

3. Towson LB Monte Gaddis and CBs Jordan Love and Tye Smith were selected to the CAA preseason all-conference defensive team.

PREDICTION: Connecticut 27, Towson 14