Storrs — Hergy Mayala has learned some valuable and painful lessons on his way to veteran status on the UConn football team.

He knows that he has to set a good example and be a positive role model this season with so many young players as teammates.

"It's something that I have to do," Mayala said. "I'm like pushed into it. I feel great. I don't want it any other way. I just try to do my best."

Mayala spoke to the media after the UConn Huskies completed their seventh preseason practice on a hot, humid Wednesday afternoon.

This season, Mayala is hoping to build on last year's success.

Mayala, a wide receiver from Montreal, ranked first on the team in receptions (43), receiving yards (615), receiving touchdowns (seven) and average receiving yards per game (61.5) in 10 starts.

Perhaps the most memorable moment is one that Mayala regrets.

Mayala's mistake turned a potential rousing victory into a deflating defeat in the regular season finale at Cincinnati.

After catching a touchdown pass with no time left to cut the deficit to 22-21, Mayala received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting. The penalty pushed back the extra point attempt 15 yards.

Coach Randy Edsall, who intended to go for two before the flag, went for the extra point instead. Michael Tarbutt's long try sailed wide left and the Huskies lost.

At the time, Edsall called Mayala's behavior a selfish act.

Mayala agreed with his head coach. He says he had no choice but to grow from it.

"I cost a game for my team," Mayala said during spring workouts. "As a leader, that's not something that you want to do. That's something I had to work on in the offseason, just how to control myself. Going into this year, I feel like I'm a better leader and there's some stuff that I won't do again.

"... I just learned as a leader you can't put your team in that type of position. As a leader, people look up to you and you have to understand how you've got to act. That game made me realize that. I just took it as a lesson and carried it into this year."

Mayala says it took a lot of time for him to get over his selfish act.

Quarterback David Pindell, who threw the pass to Mayala, helped his good friend and roommate through the difficult time. They can even joke about it now.

"We talk about that when we're in the room," Pindell said. "We make fun about it. But that's in the past. He's learned from it and he knows not to do that again."

Pindell has watched Mayala grow into a leader. Mayala gives pointers to the young receivers and helps them adjust to Division I college football.

There's also a fire burning inside Mayala.

"Of course, he's hungrier this year," Pindell said. "He's a good playmaker. It's his senior year and he wants to go out with a bang. He doesn't want to dwell on the last few years he's been here. He wants to go out having a good record. Of course, everybody wants to do that.

"He works a lot harder. He's understanding more. He's like a team player. He helps everybody out. He makes sure everyone is communicating and is on the same page."

The key phrase there is team player.

Mayala understands there is a proper way to celebrate a touchdown. No more barking at his opponents.

He's focusing on being a good teammate and respected leader.

"I feel like I'm more poised to do what I have to do," Mayala said.

Edsall has seen growth in Mayala since last season. But Mayala still has work to do in the leadership department.

"Hergy's gotten a lot better in a couple of areas," Edsall said. "He understands how hard you have to work and how accountable you have to be to everything. We're trying to get him to understand that he needs to be a little bit more of a leader, a little bit more vocal and not just be concerned about himself. I don't mean that in a bad way, because you want to do everything you can to make yourself the best that you can be.

"But then he's in a position where he should put pressure on other people to make sure that they're holding themselves accountable. That's where I'm starting to see some of the biggest growth in him. And, of course, if nobody has ever held him to those standards, it's tough to do. But I think he understands that we're going to hold him to those high standards and the high expectations that we have for him."

News and notes

• No surprise that the offense, which has the most experienced players, is ahead of the defense. Edsall: "I think we're executing pretty well on offense after seven days... Credit to the players and (offensive coordinator) John (Dunn). We do have a little bit of experience on offense. Unlike on defense where we're going from pampers to diapers." ... The Huskies will scrimmage on Thursday and hold a walk-through and address corrections on Friday before taking Saturday off. ...The season opener versus Central Florida is three weeks from Thursday.

g.keefe@theday.com