Andre Dixon is a sophomore running back for the upstart University of Connecticut
Huskies. In 10 games of action, Dixon picked up 809 yards rushing on 160 attempts.
As a result of splitting carries, the 6'1" 187 pound RB earned just 3 rushing TDs. However, Dixon saved his best game for a moment when it mattered the most. Going up against a very quick and powerful University of South Florida defense, Dixon earned over 200 total yards in a 22-15 Husky victory. That win helped propel UConn up the BCS rankings. The team finished 9-3.

The other half of this interview is sophomore wide receiver Terence Jeffers. Jeffers saw action in all 12 games this season, accumulating 571 receiving yards and 5 TDs for UConn. He is considered a clutch receiver and the playmaker of the receiving corps. Jeffers led the team in receiving yards this season.

The Huskies head into the Car Care Bowl on Saturday, December 29 to take on Wake Forest. These two offensive stars were gracious enough to give us insight into the bowl matchup this week. Offering the questions is Deli writer Joshua Fischman. We hope you enjoy this interview.

 

Joshua Fischman: How would you guys describe your team and the season it has had?

Andre Dixon: Our team is very hard-working. We all play together and for one another. We are a family-like team. Everyone is out there trying to give [his] all for [his] teammate on every play. This season was a special season that was just the outcome of the goals we set and the hard work we put in over the off-season.

Terence Jeffers: I would describe the season with a few words: Hard work and a Big East Championship goal in mind.

JF: What have you each heard about Wake Forest? And how are you preparing for them?

AD: To win eight games in the ACC lets you know everything about Wake. They are a very scrappy team. They like to run the ball and get after whoever they are playing right from the beginning of the game.

TJ: Wake Forest is a really good team. Their defense plays hard and [they play] to the whistle.

JF: Who do you think most deserved the Heisman Trophy this year?

TJ: I thought Darren McFadden deserved it more because he had great performances rushing while splitting carries with Felix Jones, who also rushed for 1,000 yards plus. Tim Tebow's offense is designed just for him to do what he does and isn't a normal offense that is realistically ran. Tim does a great job running that offense and it is very successful.

JF: Andre, what are the benefits and drawbacks of sharing the backfield and splitting carries with another running back?

AD: Splitting carries with Don [Brown II] is good because we both get to stay fresh during the game and we are both pretty good. Freshman year [2006] wasn't that bad.

JF: Terence, how does it feel to be the go-to-guy among the UConn receivers?

TJ: It is nice to be the leading receiver. But staying there comes down to making plays, something I pride myself to do as a receiver.

JF: Andre, talk about the football frustrations of your freshman year and how satisfying your success this year has been.

AD: As an athlete, you do want to be out there doing what you [were] born to do. But sometimes you have to be patient and wait your turn. I just continued to tell myself once my opportunities came I would have to take full advantage of it and that's what I did. This year was a good year for this to happen because it's still early in my career and I have a lot more UConn football to play.

JF: Terence, talk about catching passes from Tyler Lorenzen. What is it like to have a QB that takes off and runs frequently? Does Lorenzen's tendency to run ever affect your route running?

TJ: Tyler throws a nice ball. He puts it where it needs to be. And him taking off doesn't affect me because you never know when he will pull up and throw it deep. I run routes expecting to get the ball and [if] Tyler gets pressure, he makes the right decisions to run and get the first down.

 

Now that you've heard remarks from these great athletes, be sure to watch them in action on Saturday, December 29. UConn's next game is against Wake Forest in the Meineke Car Care Bowl; game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

If you liked this interview, be sure to catch up with other college football athletes with interviews in our archives.