Storrs – During his NFL coaching days, Jim Mora could always pick up players from the waiver wire when injuries decimated his football team.

That’s not the case on the college level.

“I was thinking if there was a waiver wire right now like the NFL we’d really be hitting it hard,” said Mora, UConn’s first year head coach. “But we don’t have a waiver wire.”

Instead, Mora is digging deep into his roster to find replacements. And, in some cases, asking players to change positions to fill needs.

Mora is trying to remain upbeat as injuries pile up. A dozen players have been sidelined through the five games for the Huskies (1-4), who host Fresno State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS Sports Network) at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

“We’re just trying to find guys,” Mora said. “It’s a little fun and then it’s a little daunting at the same time. I think if you don’t have a sense of humor about it, it’s going to drive you a little crazy. … Sometimes, it’s robbing Peter to play Paul. We don’t have a lot of depth at most of our positions right now. We’re a little bit decimated.”

Take running back.

Leading rusher Nate Carter (shoulder) could be out for the season and key reserve Brian Brewton is already sidelined for the remainder of the year, leaving sophomore Devontae Houston, true freshman Victor Rosa and graduate Robert Burns as the only healthy options. And Houston (shoulder issue) isn’t 100%.

Recently, defensive back Cam Edwards switched to running back to add depth.

“We look at our roster and it’s like, who on our roster, no matter what position, has played running back or could play running back?” Mora said. “It’s gotten to the point where Jelani Stafford, who was a pretty darn good running back in high school, we gave him a little consideration.”

Stafford, a 6-foot-1, 313-pound defensive end, will stay on defense, at least for now.

The Huskies also are short on receivers, a group that’s already lost two starters and a backup with season-ending injuries. Freshman defensive back Lee Molette is seeing time on the scout team as a receiver as is freshman linebacker Jordan Morrison.

Mora is doing everything he can to maximize his roster.

The Huskies are taking a “next man up” attitude.

“Everybody’s got to be ready,” defensive back Malik Dixon-Williams said. “You never know when your number is going to be called. Just be ready and make the most of your opportunities.”

The injury situation hasn’t reached the critical stage but could before the end of the season. The Huskies still have seven games remaining.

Mora is concerned that the Huskies will be caught shorthanded at some positions, especially running back, before the end of the season if injuries continue to rack up.

“I’m worried about that position,” he said. “But it doesn’t do me any good to worry. It is what it is. We’ve just got to keep trying to find guys. That’s what we’re doing.”

On the good news front, the defense is fairly healthy outside of starting defensive back Kaleb Anthony, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Saturday’s 41-10 loss at No. 10 North Carolina State.

Mora continues to be impressed by his team’s attitude in the face of adversity.

“I’m waiting for that practice where I walk out there and they’re not excited about practice and it hasn’t happened yet,” Mora said. “We’re down in numbers. They’re continuing to try to be their best every day. That’s great. It’s a fun group to coach.”

News and notes

UConn will honor people in the program that have battled cancer on Cancer Awareness Day before Saturday’s game. Players also will wear special decals on their helmets, which were on display during Tuesday’s press conference. “All of our players and members of our staff have been touched in one way or another, so we’re going to at least try to bring awareness to it,” Mora said. “It should be a great day.” … When asked if Carter is out for the year, Mora responded: “It’s still in discussion. It doesn’t look promising right now. It’s really a decision that’s a very personal decision. So we’re going to let him come to the decision as he feels he needs to come to it.” … Fresno State (1-2) will be without its starting quarterback Jake Haener who’s sidelined after suffering a high ankle injury in a 45-17 loss at USC on Sept. 17. Sophomore Logan Fife will fill in against the Huskies.

g.keefe@theday.com