LoVecchio out-dueled in debut; struggles in first half

East Hartford, Conn. -- Quarterback Matt LoVecchio probably didn't envision an IU debut quite like this.\nThe junior, who sat out last season as a transfer from Notre Dame, struggled against UConn amid dropped passes, turnovers and a defense that limited him to only 28 yards passing in the first half of IU's 34-10 loss.\nAfter waiting all last year, the IU faithful had to wait a little bit longer Saturday to see the quarterback in action. Senior running back Brian Lewis fumbled on IU's second offensive play, and LoVecchio didn't complete a pass until he hit junior Courtney Roby nearly nine minutes into the game. It was one of only three LoVecchio completions in the half.\n"Early on, I really didn't get into a rhythm throwing the ball in the first half for whatever reason," LoVecchio said. "I just have to keep grinding and pushing and continue to improve on that."\nLoVecchio did find senior Glenn Johnson for his first IU touchdown on a 30-yard, fourth down score in the third quarter. He finished the game 13 of 29 for 211 yards but with a fumble and five sacks.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo said he anticipates LoVecchio will get better as the season progresses.\n"I think he's a really good quarterback who has just been through his first game since a while back," DiNardo said. "He just needs to keep playing the game and build experience. He certainly can play better. I think he would tell you that."\nLoVecchio's stats weren't helped by sloppy play from several receivers. Sophomore John Pannozzo dropped a pair of passes, and Johnson bounced another off his hands. \nThe offensive line also struggled, allowing the quarterback little time on passing downs. And in the fourth quarter, a long play action pass to Roby that netted an interference call was negated by an IU holding penalty.\nLoVecchio, however, deflected the blame from any one position. \n"From an outsider's perspective, it might look like totally the offensive line's fault," he said. "But it's also on the quarterback and the receivers -- knowing where the blitz is coming from and knowing who's hot."\nWhile LoVecchio struggled, his opposite number on UConn excelled. Junior Dan Orlovsky threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, marking his 13th straight game with a scoring pass. Although Orlovsky had the better day, UConn junior Alfred Fincher said the Huskies defense had their hands full with LoVecchio. \n"I thought he was a real good quarterback, a smart quarterback," said Fincher, who had 5 1/2 tackles. "I game-planned. I watched film all week and studied it real hard because I knew he was going to be a good one."\nIn the end though, after running IU's scout team last season, becoming a starting quarterback again proved a bittersweet transition for LoVecchio. \n"It felt good going out pregame and everything leading up to the game," he said. "But anytime you lose a football game, it's a terrible, sick feeling."\n-- Contact staff writer Gavin Lesnick at glesnick@indiana.edu.