UConn freshman Tim Boyle gets his shot to quarterback team he cheered for as a child

STORRS, Conn. – UConn freshman Tim Boyle gets to realize a boyhood dream on Saturday, when he takes over as the Huskies starting quarterback.

UConn (0-4) hosts South Florida (1-4) in Connecticut's first game since coach Paul Pasqualoni was fired.

Interim coach T.J. Weist says the staff was already preparing to make the switch at quarterback from junior Chandler Whitmer, to Boyle, a former star at Xavier High in Middletown.

Boyle, who turned 19 last week, used to come to UConn games as a boy, and says he was among those who rushed onto the field in 2007 after UConn beat South Florida to earn its first-ever win over a ranked opponent.

Boyle becomes the first true freshman to start for UConn since Dan Orlovsky in 2001.

He takes over an offense that ranks 119th out of 123 teams in the bowl subdivision, and has allowed 20 sacks this season.