Diaco, Huskies, Excited to Open Conference Play on the Road

@MattSchonvisky

Three days removed from a 38-21 loss, that was anything but a 17-point defeat, the Huskies are in the midst of preparation for their conference opener, on the road, against South Florida (Friday, 8PM, ESPN).

In a short week, the game will mark the first road trip for UConn under Bob Diaco, a situation that cannot be recreated, for a coach that likes to simulate every potential circumstance his team will find themselves in.

“[It’s a] business trip,” Diaco said yesterday during his weekly media availability. “[We’ll be] locked in, I’m excited about it. I think that there’s something about going on the road that creates this inclusive mindset where the conversations get more intimate, the moments get more intimate and intense and there inherently is a more locked in, sequestered feel. I love it, I’m excited about it and the team seems very excited about it.”

Diaco stoically addressed what Friday’s game means for the rest of the season.

“This is a very important game, this is a conference game, it’s a conference foe and the energy needs to be different today than it’s been and that’s my expectation,” he stressed. “The team is going to grow in that moment, to understand that they better turn the screw another half crank because as I pointed out to them, ‘for you, for your seniors, this is an important moment. Your personal goals are out in front of us and what you want to achieve and what you want to gain out of the season are still all present. So, let’s see that extra heartbeat.'”

The first-year head coach has liked the improvement he’s seen over the first three weeks and the identity that is beginning to take shape.

“To say after game three, exactly what the DNA is, I think it may be a little early, but it is getting very close to being able to say ‘this is who we are,'” Diaco said. “A team that is going to fight for four quarters, strain, grind, give great effort, believe until the bitter end, stay positive and maintain an ability to be coached. That’s been a hallmark for three weeks, we don’t anticipate that changing and we are on our way there, where our culture is being reinforced, with that energy.” 

As the culture is being reinforced, it is clear that the team is making drastic improvements in all areas. Producing big plays offensively is what Diaco wants his offense to be known for and he’s been pleased with the progress they’ve made. The defenses’ performance Saturday, against a very similar offense they faced in week one against BYU, was night and day. And the special teams unit has really begun to be a steady, reliable force, week in and week out.

Despite the positives, there is a glaring issue that has reared it’s ugly head over the first quarter of the season.

“There are too many negative plays,” Diaco said. “There are just too many plays that we cannot get started properly because there’s people in the backfield. We understand that it’s a work in progress, but it’s definitely something that needs to be addressed at a higher level. The negative plays I’m talking about are sacks and TFL’s [tackles for loss]. It’s hard to get going when you’re always behind the chains or the player’s are being harassed before they can get started.”

The Huskies will be working to resolve those issues this week, before their efforts take center stage, to open their American Athletic Conference season.

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