Storrs - Andrew Adams fits the mold of a Bob Diaco-type player.

He has a passion for playing football.

A losing season has done nothing to sour the redshirt junior's love affair with the game.

Coming off UConn's worst result of the season - a 41-0 blowout loss to Cincinnati on Saturday - Adams remains positive and upbeat.

He's still excited about going to practice every day.

"If you love the game of football, then it doesn't matter what the circumstances are, you're going to love going to practice and love playing," Adams said on Tuesday. "That's definitely the way I am. I just love playing football.

"Each opportunity I get a chance to strap up and step on the field, it's a gift."

The gift will keep on giving for only a couple more weeks.

UConn has two games left, visiting American Athletic Conference leader Memphis (8-3, 6-1) on Saturday (4 p.m., ESPNEWS) and hosting last place Southern Methodist on Dec. 6.

The Huskies (2-8, 1-5) keep working hard in the face of adversity.

"We have great leaders on this team," said Adams, who's from Fayetteville, Ga. "They definitely bring a lot of energy to practice. Some guys who are down, we just pick them up. That definitely raises the energy level in practice."

A starting safety for all 10 games, Adams has been UConn's impact playmaker on defense.

He ranks second on the team in tackles with 80 - he had 65 career tackles entering the season - and first in interceptions with four. He's the veteran of a young secondary that also starts a true freshmen and two redshirt sophomores.

Against Cincinnati, Adams thwarted Cincinnati's opening drive by picking off a pass in the end zone and finished with a team-high tying nine tackles.

His timely interception was one of the few highlights Saturday for the Huskies, who allowed a season-high for points and had a season-low 129 yards of total offense.

"I feel like I'm playing well," Adams said. "There's always room to improve. I just try to come in every day and do my job and be a great teammate to other players. You've just got to work hard, day in and day out. Nothing is given to you."

Diaco, a first-year head coach, is aiming to recruits players like Adams, who's setting a good example for his younger teammates.

"We're interested in collecting players that love football," Diaco said of his recruiting philosophy. "If you don't love football enough, because you love something else, we're not going to get along."

Through his bumpy first season, Diaco has stuck to his firm belief that he'll eventually turn the program around.

He's identified the program's problems and enacted an action plan to work on solutions.

"We really feel bad that the record is the way it is for UConn Country," Diaco said. "We really do. And that hurts. That hurts our Husky fans are not enjoying these Saturdays like they should be, need to and will be."

"… That's why I was brought here by (athletic director) Warde (Manuel), to get it done. And I'm going to get it done."

News and notes

Redshirt senior Chandler Whitmer is listed on the depth chart as the starting quarterback. Sophomore Tim Boyle made his first start this season last week. Both players will likely share the snaps on Saturday. … Diaco's ultimate plan for the offense will look nothing like it does now. The ultimate goal is to be a run-heavy team with a mobile quarterback that attacks downfield. "We have to play the particular way we're playing right now," Diaco said. … Diaco opened his press conference by congratulating the UConn field hockey team for winning a second straight national championship. "It's just an awesome feat, and one we can look towards," Diaco said.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe