East Hartford — Watching Missouri, a Power Five football program, render UConn powerless, Dan Orlovsky could sympathize with the Huskies.

Orlovsky, the UConn's former quarterback, has been there before.

His playing days as a Husky started out sour before eventually turning sweet during coach Randy Edsall's first stint in Storrs. He helped lay the foundation for the program's move to Division I-A, competing from 2001-2004.

Better days are ahead for the Huskies, who suffered a humbling 52-12 loss to a Southeastern Conference foe before 21,062 fans at Rentschler Field.

Orlovsky served as honorary game captain for Saturday's game, making the trip from Philadelphia with his wife, Tiffany, and their four children.

"Shoot, the first 18 games of my career here were bludgeoning," said Orlovsky at halftime. "They weren't fun. We were so committed to the big picture. It came to a point where it not happening was not an option for us. It truly just became a way of life for us, where we were going to do it no matter what people said.

"... I feel for them. I know it stinks. ... I'm a big believer in failure, too, and getting beat up and having that feeling and that sensation. The thing that we did, we just decided that we weren't going to walk around campus anymore with that embarrassment.

"It takes time."

This UConn team has felt the pain of failure this season.

On Saturday, the Huskies (3-5) quickly lost the momentum gained from a season-high two-game winning streak. The Tigers shredded a defense that had shown encouraging signs in recent weeks.

By the end of the first quarter, Missouri (3-5) built a 21-2 lead behind its potent passing game. The advantage grew to 31-5 at intermission, the largest halftime deficit of the season for the Huskies. The Tigers scored two quick touchdowns in the third quarter to really blow it open.

"We didn't do anything well enough to win," Edsall said. "We'll move forward and look ahead. Not going to dwell on this."

Quarterback Drew Lock, who completed 14 of his first 15 passes, finished 31 for 37 for 377 yards. Three of his five touchdown passes came before halftime. Receivers J'Mon Moore and Al Okwuegbunam each hauled in two scoring receptions.

While it was ugly, it wasn't UConn's worst defensive effort of the season. The Huskies gave up a program-record 70 points in an embarrassing loss to Memphis on Oct. 6.

UConn didn't find the end zone until freshman Kevin Mensah scored on a one-yard run with 2:07 left in the third quarter, cutting the gap to 35-12.

The Huskies actually opened the scoring with a safety when a high snap sailed over Missouri punter Corey Fatony's head and rolled through the back of the end zone. Michael Tarbutt booted 30 yard field goal in the second  quarter to cut the deficit to 21-5. He had missed earlier from 47 yards.

But they were completely overmatched.

With a stiff schedule ahead, UConn is a long shot to qualify for a bowl bid. The Huskies still have to play South Florida (7-1), at Central Florida (7-0), against Boston College (5-4) at Fenway Park and at Cincinnati (2-6).

Rebuilding a program doesn't happen overnight.

Just ask Orlovsky, who recently retired after 12 seasons in the NFL.

His sweetest UConn memory is the day in 2003 when the Huskies opened Rentschler Field by beating Indiana.

"To come back and have a night that I can share with my family and friends is really cool," said Orlovsky, who's from Shelton. "I think the thing that's hit me the most recently, being from the state of Connecticut and coming here, means even more to me now than it did back then. I've the chance to feel and see the impact of it and share some of the memories. Any time I come back here is great."

Orlovsky has been around the program, returning last spring to complete his degree and serve as a student assistant.

Despite Saturday's outcome, Orlovsky feels good about the direction the UConn football program is heading in. It took awhile for the Huskies to see results when he first arrived at Storrs.

"It's hard because I know coach (Edsall) and I know a couple of guys on their staff and how much time they put into it and  how much they care, and the kids, too," Orlovsky said. "It's a different animal the league that (Missouri) plays in. To get to that level, to be consistent, it takes real time and progress."

News and notes

• Edsall banished defensive back Jamar Summers to the locker room after the senior was flagged for taunting after making an interception late in the third quarter. Summer threw the ball and hit a Missouri player in the back of the legs. "Not going to disrespect the game that way and play in this program," Edsall said. "It's all about respecting the game and doing what you're supposed to do. If you're not going to do that, you don't deserve to be on the field." ... Backup quarterback David Pindell saw his first action since starting in the season opener. He replaced Bryant Shirreffs (19-for-39, 202 yards) late in the third and went 3-for-12 for 31 yards and threw an interception. ... UConn had 354 yards of total offense, the majority when the game was out of hand. "We didn't have a good offensive performance," Shirreffs said.  "I put a lot of blame on myself." ... Kickoff time for next Saturday's game against South Florida is 3:30 p.m. at Rentschler Field.

g.keefe@theday.com