Week 1 is OVER. On to Week 2…
Week 1 has come and gone. It didn’t go quite the way Husky fans had hoped, but after letting the game digest and really taking a look at the big picture, there were a lot of positives to take out of the 35-10 loss to BYU. This program has had nothing but negatives surrounding it over the past 3 years, so like Diaco, I am forcing myself to take a positive approach to this season, regardless of what happens.
What I saw against BYU that I liked:
1.) Arkeel Newsome, Ron Johnson, & Josh Mariner – I loved the fact that Newsome & Johnson got a chance to carry the rock. Diaco stated today that Newsome is likely to get more touches, and it wasn’t hard to see why. I haven’t seen a productive screen run by a UConn offense in years! Not to mention, Arkeel finished off the run with power and force. That style of play reminds me of UConn running backs of old. Mariner hit holes pretty well and seemed to make quick decisions. Johnson looks like he will be a load to bring down, and I’d love to see him get some cracks at the end zone on the goal line. I expect to see a lot of these guys, in addition to DeLorenzo, against Stonybrook.
2.) Interior OL play – These guys didn’t do anything spectacular during the game, but I felt Cruz, Mateas, & Samra were solid. Levy struggled, but also showed flashes of being a force. His body is ready, but he needs to work on technique. I truly believe we will watch him grow before our eyes this season. Anyway, the interior OL played soundly in my opinion. Gave QB’s time, and there were lanes to run. The opening play was a 7 yard burst before he fumbled. I think the OL will be a work in progress all year, but I feel much more confident in them this year as i did last year. Thank you Mike Foley.
3.) Geremy Davis – Get this guy the ball. LOVE Diaco said today that Davis should be grabbing double digits in receptions each game. He’s our best offensive player, we need to find a way to keep him involved. He’s going to shatter his stats from last season.
4.) Special Teams – Looked better than it did at any point last season. I know it’s just one game, but it actually looked like there was a plan when UConn was receiving a kick or a punt, as opposed to the complete clusterbomb that was the return game last season. Newsome or Foxx will be weapons in the return game this season.
What I’d like to See Next Week:
1.) Growth on the OL – As I stated before, in my opinion, the interior OL played pretty good against BYU. Now I want the OT’s to join the fun, and I hope we see some devestating drives by the UConn offense where we just run it down their throats. Nothing would make me happier to opt to receive on the coin toss, and we run 10 straight running plays leading to an opening TD to set the tone for the rest of the game.
2.) Sacks – Taysom Hill will not be suting up for Stonybrook on Saturday. Nothing close to resembling him will be behind center against the Huskies. I hope to see some of the effects of this pash rush school Diaco mentioned during camp. I’d like to see our DL harassing the QB all game, getting to him at least 3 times.
3.) A WIN! – Listen, I don’t care how it comes, I just want a win. I want to say we’re 1-1, a .500 team, with a chance at home the following week to get over .500 for the first time in a long time. Who cares who we’re playing, a win is a win, and you are what your record says you are. I want us to be 1-1 when Boise comes to town.
@UConn813
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