Running back Terry Caulley will miss Connecticut's first Big East season because of a lingering knee injury.

UConn coach Randy Edsall said Wednesday Caulley will be a medical redshirt while he continues to rehabilitate the knee. Caulley missed the last seven games of the 2003 season after he tore ligaments in his right knee against Virginia Tech on Sept. 27, when he was the nation's leading rusher with 601 yards. He rushed for 1,247 yards his freshman season in 2002.

"Terry has come a long way in terms of his rehabilitation," Edsall said. "But he's still not 100 percent, so we're going to redshirt him and make sure he's 100 percent before he plays again. We want to do the best thing for Terry."

Caulley said he realized early in the summer that his comeback was going to take longer than expected.

"I don't have the same confidence I had before I got hurt," Caulley said. "I don't feel I'm where I want to be."

UConn opens the season at home on Sept. 4 against Murray State.


AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

:frown: Bummer. But probably the best thing for him in the long run.

UConn will still have Chris Bellamy, Cornell Brockington, and Matt Lawrence to look to for carrying the ball.

UCONN will be fine.