Storrs — Backyard tackle football battles with his older brothers toughened up Cam Ross.

At first, Ross ran to his mother to complain about the physical punishment. He was overmatched, with Brandon being eight years older and Jarrett about six years older.

"I would go to Mom all the time," Ross said. "After awhile, I would suck it up and try to whop them back. That's how it goes."

Ross realizes now that he has his brothers to thank for preparing him to play as a freshman for the UConn football team this season.

A speedy 5-foot-9, 170-pound wide receiver from Newark, Del., he's second on the team in receptions with 13, including one for a touchdown, and owns a team-best 206 receiving yards.

"Having older brothers that played the sport, that plays a huge role," Ross said. "Playing tackle football, they're older than me, so I'm getting slung around and all that. That helped me be here today. Playing against older people is like nothing to me now. They molded me into playing at this level."

Ross followed in the footsteps of his brothers by choosing to play for UConn coach Randy Edsall, who coached both Brandon and Jarrett while at Maryland. Brandon was a running back and Jarrett a cornerback.

When Ross was nine, he started regularly attending Maryland games. So he already had formed a relationship with Edsall by the time he developed into a Division I college football recruit at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C.

His brothers offered some insight about Edsall, telling Ross that Edsall "was going to get on you but, at the same time, he's going to care about you."

"I've been around him for awhile," Ross said. "Being there definitely played a factor, just being comfortable. Wherever I wanted to go, I wanted to be comfortable. Knowing they had some history with him, I knew I'd definitely feel that here."

Ross impressed coaches early, working out with the first team during the summer.

An injury kept him out of the season opener. He quickly grew into a regular role, catching at least three passes in each of the last three games.

In Saturday's 56-21 loss at UCF, Ross led the team in both receptions (a career-best six) and receiving yards (a career-best 91). He hauled in one of three touchdown passes from quarterback Steven Krajewski, going 16 yards for his first collegiate score.

It also represented UConn's first passing touchdown this season.

"It felt great," Ross said. "It's a milestone that I was dreaming of reaching and I'm glad that I reached it. Now I'm going to try to get more."

Ross isn't the only true freshman receiver contributing this season. Matt Drayton also had a touchdown reception on Saturday and has nine catches for 111 yards this season. He has the best hands on the team, according to Ross.

Drayton is happy to go through the first-time college football experience with a teammate.

"We talk after game and after every practice what we need to improve on," Drayton said.

Edsall is pleased with the progress of both young Huskies.

"I think they've handled it really well," Edsall said. "Those guys are competitors. They have abilities in terms of what you want at the wide receiver position. As long as they continue to stay healthy, they can continue to get better each and every week.

"I've liked their approach. I've liked the way they've stayed even-keeled for a freshman. Now it's up to us to make sure that we manage how many reps they get because I think some of those young kids can get overloaded a little bit with the long season that they're not really used to.

"Matt played a lot of games down there in Florida because they went to two state championships, but still the intensity and everything that goes with playing in college. That's why you see us roll (in) those receivers so we can try to keep them as fresh and as healthy as we can.

"But I like what they're doing and they've earned that right to be starters for us."

News and notes

• Krajewski, who fractured his left clavicle vs. UCF in the first quarter but still finished the game, posted a message on his twitter account following surgery Monday. "Really appreciate all the support from everyone over the past few days! Surgery went great and the road to recovery begins now. Coming back better than ever!" ... Krajewski earned some added respect from his teammates and coaches for playing through the injury. "It was his left shoulder, so from a standpoint of throwing it didn't bother him," Edsall said. "It goes to show you how tough the kid is." ... Graduate transfer Mike Beaudry will start at quarterback on Saturday against South Florida (1-3) at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. Game time is noon.  ... Edsall grew upset when asked if he'd be interested in playing USF in the future. "Who cares about next year and the year after and all that bull." The Huskies (1-3, 0-1) will play as an independent next season, leaving the American Athletic Conference.

g.keefe@theday.com