The two burgeoning stars get to display their talents before a national television audience tonight when UConn (3-0) hosts Baylor (2-1) in the first meeting between the schools.
Brown is the nation’s second-leading rusher, averaging almost 189 yards. He’s had back-to-back 200-yard efforts, including a 206-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Huskies’ 45-10 win over Virginia last week. The junior has 79 carries for 566 yards and eight touchdowns.
“I think he’s a stud,” Baylor coach Art Briles said. “The guy can play. He’s compact. He’s got great hips. He’s got great vision and balance. He’s fast. There’s a reason he’s No. 2 in the country. He’s good.”
Brown wasn’t supposed to be the lone star of the UConn backfield. Coming into the season, he was expected to split time with Andre Dixon, a second-team all-conference running back a year ago. But Dixon has been hampered by an ankle injury suffered in the preseason, leaving Brown with the bulk of the carries.
UConn coach Randy Edsall said he plans to get Brown about 20 to 25 touches per game as Dixon works his way back from the injury.
Griffin, Baylor’s freshman star out of Copperas Cove, took over the quarterbacking duties from senior transfer Kirby Freeman in a season-opening 41-13 loss to Wake Forest.
Griffin has not looked back in leading the Bears to consecutive blowout wins, 51-6 over Northwestern State and 45-17 over Washington State.
“We do have a high confidence right now,” Griffin said. “But we haven’t taken down any of the big ones yet.”
Griffin is a dual threat and a track star who already holds the school record in the 400-meter hurdles. He has rushed 32 times for 314 yards and four touchdowns and completed 33 of 53 passes for 548 yards and four scores.
In last week’s win over the Cougars, Griffin ran for 217 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns and had three runs over 50 yards.
He reminds Edsall of West Virginia’s Pat White.
“He doesn’t look like a freshman when you watch him on tape,” Edsall said. “He’s a guy who is going to give people fits for the next four years.”
This will be the first road test for Baylor since Briles brought his spread offense from Houston in the offseason. The Bears were just 1-5 on the road last year and will face a UConn team that has won nine straight at home. Connecticut has given up just one touchdown this season while holding opponents to an average of 229 yards.
Cornerback Darius Butler called Griffin a defense’s worst nightmare but said the Huskies have the benefit of having played other good running quarterbacks such as White and South Florida’s Matt Grothe.
“We feel confident that we can handle him up front,” Butler said.
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