Battle of brothers a no-go: UConn's Phommachanh won't play versus Clemson

Oct. 25—Oh, brother. That's too bad.

UConn interim coach Lou Spanos said Sunday that freshman quarterback Tyler Phommachanh, a player whose emergence had been one of the bright spots in another dismal season of UConn football, will not be able to play when the Huskies return to action Nov. 13 against Clemson.

Phommachanh's brother, Taisun, is a quarterback for the Tigers.

Although Taisun Phommachanh is not Clemson's starter, he did play Saturday against Pittsburgh and many were holding out hope that the two brothers could face off when the teams meet in Clemson, South Carolina in three weeks.

"I don't see him coming back for the Clemson game," Spanos said.

Tyler Phommachanh hurt his left knee in the first quarter of the Huskies' loss to Vanderbilt Oct. 2. Spanos and the Huskies have been incredibly secretive about the nature of Phommachanh's injury and the amount of time he might miss.

Phommachanh had a brace on his left knee and was using crutches immediately after suffering the injury.

Asked again Sunday about Phommachanh's possible return to playing this season, Spanos again refused to answer.

"I'm a one week-at-a-time (coach)," Spanos said.

Steven Krasjewski replaced Phommachanh against Vanderbilt and has started the Huskies' last three games at quarterback.

Krajewski completed 21-of-37 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown against Middle Tennessee. He also thew two interceptions.

Phommachanh is still eligible to redshirt this season, having played in less than 20 percent of his team's games, and have four additional years of eligibility moving forward.

Still, Spanos admits he's disappointed the brother-versus-brother scenario didn't work out.

"Me and my brother played on the same team (at Tulsa)," Spanos said of his late brother, Gus. "And a number of our players have siblings playing different places."

UConn lost to Middle Tennessee 44-13 Friday night in East Hartford, failing to build on its first win of the season and falling to 1-8 overall. In a game that was 10-10 in the second quarter, the Huskies were outscored 34-3.

Coming off the program's first win in two years, the Huskies had hoped to play better in their follow-up performance.

UConn has lost 11 straight games to FBS competition, as well as 32 of its last 33.

"In all three phases we have to be more consistent," Spanos said of his offense, defense, and special teams in explaining Friday's defeat.

Despite another humbling loss and the mounting number of them, Spanos insists his team remains committed and continues to display outstanding energy in games and in practices.

"No doubt. I have a feel for the locker room. Everything was there in that locker room. Even though we lost, the energy was there," Spanos said. "I have to get better. And I when I say 'I' I mean all of us.

"I take great pride in our team and in what we're trying to accomplish. And they know that (Middle Tennessee game) wasn't good enough. But we're going to get better. We're going to get better for each other."

The Huskies now have nearly three weeks of preparation to try and improve. There will be plenty of time to practice but Spanos admits his team needs to rest, as well.

"We still have to do football but we have to make sure mentally and physically they're set," Spanos said.

Neill covers UConn men's basketball and UConn football teams, and he keeps a finger on the pulse of Connecticut sports. For live game updates, and more insight into UConn athletics, player transfers, and team changes, follow Neill on Twitter: @NeillOstrout, Facebook: JINeillO, and Instagram: @NeillOstrout.