Storrs - About a week removed from making a difficult career-ending decision, Casey Cochran has no regrets.

Cochran, who spoke about the matter for the first time on Monday, put his health ahead of football.

"This decision came down to me and my parents and the medical staff and a lot of people being concerned for my health," UConn's Cochran said. "It was a tough decision, but I really have no regrets. I want to be healthy, not just now but in 20 years or 40 years or 60 years. I want to live a long and happy life."

Cochran suffered multiple concussions during his playing days, the final one coming as the Huskies' starting quarterback in the season opener against Brigham Young on Aug. 29.

"The last one was a wakeup call for me," said Cochran, a redshirt sophomore.

A former New London and Masuk High School standout, he has already started the next phase of his life. He remains on scholarship and serves as a coach-in-training. He also mentioned the possibility of a career in sports broadcasting.

"I'm happy with my new roles," Cochran said. "I'm going to help these guys any way I can. I'm just happy to be around them still. It would have been heartbreaking for me to not be around them. That would have been the sad story.

"I'm happy with my life heading forward. There are so many things I can do now."

He added that he has a tremendous amount of love for his teammates and the UConn football program. He's developed life-long bonds with his fellow Huskies.

He appreciates all the support that he's received from the UConn coaching staff, his family, friends and UConn fans.

"This whole state has shown so much love and support that it's been unbelievable," Cochran said. "That's why I wanted to stay in state, to give back as much as I could. It's been a great experience. It's going to continue to grow.

"... If I can take the lessons I learned through football and put them into everything, I know I can be successful at whatever is thrown at me."

Coach Bob Diaco is happy to still have Cochran around the program.

"He was selected to quarterback the team because of his leadership and his intangible component," Diaco said. "And he can continue to add that to the team."

Defensive changes

Diaco has made some changes on defense due in part to a career-ending injury to starting end Angelo Pruitt (lower leg). Pruitt decided Monday to stop playing.

Redshirt junior Kenton Adeyemi is listed first on the depth chart at that position for Friday's American Athletic Conference opener at South Florida (8 p.m., ESPN). Redshirt freshman Cole Ormsby will shift from outside linebacker to tackle and freshman Luke Carrezola's role will increase.

Ormsby, who's from Windsor, had his first career sack in Saturday's 38-21 loss to Boise State.

"I've been impressed with him with at end," Diaco said. "I think he's in the right spot."

Overall, Diaco was pleased with the play of the defense, which limited an explosive Boise State offense to 292 yards.

Positives and negatives

Diaco saw a number of positives in Saturday's loss.

UConn made strides in time of possession (almost 36 minutes), red zone scoring (3-for-3), minimizing pre-snap errors, producing big plays on offense and special teams.

On the flip side, the Huskies continue to have too many negative offensive plays. Part of the blame falls on the line that allowed eight sacks.

News and notes

Friday's game is the road opener for the Huskies. "I'm excited about it and the team seems excited about it," Diaco said. ... The UConn-Temple game on Sept. 27 at Rentschler Field will start at 4 p.m. and be televised on ESPNews. ... Diaco gave quarterback Chandler Whitmer (16-for-29, 209 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) high marks for his play on Saturday.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe