Storrs — UConn's quarterback of the present and potential quarterback of the future sat several rows apart in the football meeting room on Tuesday.

Redshirt senior Chandler Whitmer and sophomore backup Tim Boyle met with the media, talking about their respective seasons.

They've developed a tight bond during their time as teammates.

"We've been close since he got here," Whitmer said. "I think he just respects what I have to say and I respect him as a player. He's like a sponge, he just tries to soak everything.

"That's all you can ask for from a younger guy on your team. I've enjoyed working with him and I'm excited that hopefully he can get some more time in the next couple of games and get ready for next year."

Any added playing time for Boyle in the final three games, including Saturday against American Athletic Conference rival Cincinnati (6-3, 4-1) at Rentschler Field (8 p.m., CBS Sports Network), would come at Whitmer's expense. They're in two very different spots in their UConn careers.

Whitmer is close to walking off into the sunset while Boyle's game has yet to be fully exposed to the sunlight.

In the first nine games, Whitmer has played the majority of minutes for the Huskies (2-7, 1-4), completing 56.3 percent while passing for 1,471 yards and accounting for 13 touchdowns, including 11 in the air.

But he's had a bad habit of making an untimely turnover, as he did in the pre-bye week 35-21 loss to Army on Nov. 8 at Yankee Stadium. With UConn marching for the potential game-tying touchdown, he threw his sixth interception this season. Army's Chris Carnegie returned it 99 yards for a touchdown with 28 seconds left.

"That one hurt me pretty good for 24 hours," Whitmer said. "I took a lot of responsibility for that. And it was stupid decision and it just happened to be at a very crucial moment, which what made it even more gigantic of an error. But you've to move on."

In limited action in six games, Boyle, an all-state selection out of Xavier, also has had his share of problems.

He's typically averaged one series per game, completing 14-of-26 passes for 76 yards. He's also thrown two interceptions, giving him 10 in 11 games over two seasons.

"We needed him to develop and he is developing," coach Bob Diaco said.

Boyle is trying to remain patient. He's learning to make better decisions and accept the fact that it's okay to punt the ball away sometimes.

"Coach Diaco gives me the opportunity to play in a game, so I can't think negatively about that," Boyle said. "As a competitor, I wish I could play more. Coach Diaco is doing what's best for the team right now and I'm 100 percent fine with that."

Judging by his comments Tuesday, Diaco doesn't appear to be inclined to prepare for the future by playing Boyle over Whitmer down the stretch.

Right now, Whitmer gives the Huskies the best chance to win.

"There's no doubt that not only will he continue in his role for the final three weeks, but he'll continue to improve," Diaco said of Whitmer. "So that when he ends, he has no regrets, or maybe has righted some wrongs and move forward."

Motivation won't be an issue for Whitmer, even though he's part of a massive rebuilding project. He'd like to leave the program in decent shape.

"It's tough, but also you've just got to take the mindset and approach and the responsibility that you're part of the rebuilding," Whitmer said. "You can always look back and say we were the class that helped turn this thing around.

"We went through the worst and we're in the middle of really getting the program where it needs to be. That's kind of the responsibility a lot of seniors have taken."

News and notes

• Leading receiver Geremy Davis is healthy and ready to go for Saturday's game after missing the last two games with a foot injury. ... Former New London standout Casey Cochran, who ended his playing career earlier this season because of concussions, is working with the tight ends. "He's been great," Diaco said, adding that Cochran may be interested in a career in sports media.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe