It was a great day for southeastern Connecticut and the Eastern Connecticut Conference on Wednesday when one of its own — Waterford's Zach Hurd — was selected to the All-Big East football first team as an offense guard.

"That was the goal from the first time I committed to UConn," Hurd said during a candid phone conversation Wednesday night. "In talking to my friends and high school coaches, I told them I wanted to make an impact.

"I was this fat, sloppy freshman and to get to where I am now ... well, I'm just real proud."

Hurd's story of determination and perseverance is refreshing.
When he arrived at UConn in 2006, coach Randy Edsall still wasn't sure whether Hurd was best suited to play on the offensive or defensive side of the football.

Edsall eventually settled on offense, giving his new offensive line coach — Mike Foley — the job of developing a raw, untested freshman.

The 6-foot-7 Hurd, who gained nearly 60 pounds between the end of his senior season at Waterford and the start of his collegiate career, settled in at tackle where he immediately began battling another future All-Big East pick — current New York Giants reserve tackle Will Beatty — and two current teammates, Mike Hicks and Dan Ryan, for playing time.

Edsall was able to redshirt Hurd in 2006, allowing him to get stronger. He backed up both tackle spots in 2007, but was moved to guard the next spring because Edsall was intent on getting the his best five offensive linemen on the field.

Hurd's initial reaction to the move?

"Usually guards are short, stocky kids ... and that's not me," he said. "But once I saw how our guards were used ... I love all the pulling ... I realized it would really play to my abilities."

Hurd has never looked back. He started all 13 games in 2008, taking great pride in helping produce the nation's leading rusher and UConn's first All-American, tailback Donald Brown.

And this season, when new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead came on board and brought his new no-huddle, up-tempo offense with him, Hurd — who know checks in at 314 pounds —has thrived.

The Huskies became one of the Big East's most balanced, productive offense units and Hurd's play caught the attention of other coaches, who honored the junior with their vote.

Hurd is confident, yet humble. He told me Wednesday night that making the first team was one of his goals, but not the most important one.

"Winning a Big East championship was No. 1," he said. "And going to a bowl game was No. 2."

He will start his 26th straight game at right guard on Jan. 2 when the Huskies play South Carolina in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.

"South Carolina has a real tough defense," Hurd said. "They held Alabama to 20 (points) and Florida to 24. My goal is for us to put more points on the board than that."

Only after the bowl game will he begin to look ahead to 2010, when he will be a team leader and the only returning senior on UConn's starting offense line.

He is certain to garner attention from the NFL.

"Any kid that plays football has a dream to play in NFL," Hurd said. "If we win the Big East and make a BCS bowl next year, then all of that stuff will fall into place. Hopefully if I play all my cards right I'll have a future (in football)."

If not, he will graduate next year with a degree in crime, law and justice (with minors in sociology and political science).

"That's the most important thing," Hurd said.

Refreshing.