Storrs - Driving to work on Tuesday morning, Bob Diaco thought about his young secondary while listening to his Taylor Swift playlist.

Diaco knew he was in trouble when veteran cornerback Byron Jones left Thursday's game in the first half with a season-ending left shoulder injury. No. 18 East Carolina successfully attacked a vulnerable secondary to break a 21-all tie and post a 31-21 victory.

UConn is preparing to play another difficult opponent in American Athletic Conference co-leader Central Florida (5-2, 3-0), which visits on Saturday at noon at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. The Huskies (1-6, 0-5) are still chasing their first conference victory.

True freshman Jamar Summers will replace Jones in the starting lineup, joining redshirt junior Andrew Adams and a pair of sophomores - Obi Melifonwu and Jhavon Williams - in the secondary.

With every practice and every game snap, the unit is growing stronger, according to Diaco, UConn's first-year head coach.

"I would say that they're coming on," Diaco said during his weekly press conference.

Adams agrees.

"We definitely have grown as a unit," Adams said. "I'm proud of how (far) we've come. We've increased our brotherhood and we've increased the speed that we play. Last week was a challenge. We could have played a little better.

"But it's definitely a building block for our defense. The team we faced last week will definitely help us (prepare) for the team that we're going to face this week."

With Jones watching on the sideline, the Huskies struggled to contain East Carolina as quarterback Shane Carden threw for a season-high 445 yards and two touchdowns.

UConn also took a major hit in the leadership department with the loss of Jones, a senior captain. Jones had his team's only two interceptions, returning one for the only defensive touchdown this season.

"Byron was definitely a key component to our secondary," Adams said. "He was like a coach on the field, especially to the younger guys. ... But one man is down and the next guy has to step up.

"I'm pretty sure the young guys will love this opportunity and will cherish it. And I think they will be successful."

In his first full season as a starter, Adams is now one of the secondary's veterans. He's second on the team in tackles with 52.

Melifonwu became a fulltime defender last season, starting 12 games, so he has some valuable games under his belt. Williams saw quality time last season and continues to improve.

Summers, who led Milford Academy in interceptions last season with five, is in the early stages of his college career. He's appeared in all seven games, but his responsibilties will increase as a starter.

"Williams played 104 plays on Thursday night against arguably one of the best wide receiver corps in the country, so he's got to have a lot of confidence there," Diaco said. "And so did Jamar. So Summers competed well and fought hard. He had a few plays that he was vicitimized by, but he did well. He's got high-level skill and talent and he's trying to approach his game right now as an older player and professional with extra film study and time around the building.

"I'm excited to watch all five of those guys play."

Many of the secondary's reserves also are receiving a baptism under fire. Diaco is excited about the future of sophomore cornerback Javon Hadley, whom he calls a "gritty, tough guy." Freshman Brice McAllister, a former tailback, and redshirt sophomore John Green, a converted wide receiver, are learning new positions.

Green admits that he has to remind himself to watch the cornerbacks and not receivers when watching football games on TV.

At this rate, it won't be long before Green is making a consistent contribution on game day.

"I carry a ball around with me before the game," Green said. "Then I put that ball in my bag and say I've got to go get one. That's something I look forward to, trying to get an interception."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe