Couple of odds and ends.

[Palatine]

One of the really fun things today was watching our blitzes actually get home. Even when they did not result in a sack they caused "hurries." Fife was under pressure much of the afternoon and it made a difference. Shearin blitzed on the Wortham pick and was the one in Fife's face to cause the bad throw.

Clercius is open even when he is covered. He has the ability to track the ball in flight, the athleticism to move his body into a catching position, finally he has a strong pair of hands to finish the play. He needs to given a chance a couple of times a game.

The coaches see something in Dajon Harrison we don't. They run a play for him almost every game and he was the punt returner of choice for a few games. While his touches have been mostly negative (he lost yards on a run today), he must be showing something in practice that makes the coaches feel it's important to get him on the field.

The coaches seem to have dropped the trail position technique (thank goodness) in the defensive backfield and are playing much more zone. That has, not only, made the communication better but it puts eyes on the QB when the play breaks down and he runs.

We need work on special teams. But Noe Ruelas is fine thank you.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Not seeing the Harrison thing either.

Four runs for the year for four yards. His long run of the season? Four yards. Means his other three runs have averaged 0 yards.

Three catches for the year for nine yards. His long catch of the season? Nine yards. Means his two other catches have averaged 0 yards.

Three punt returns for the year for 25 yards. His long return of the season? 27 yards. Means his other two punt returns averaged -1 yards.

He is universally across the board non-explosive. And his hands are more than suspect.

UConn Huskies 2023 College Football Players Stats - ESPN

Get the full Players stats for the 2023 UConn Huskies on ESPN. Includes team statistics for scoring, passing rushing and offense.

www.espn.com

 

[DoctorWho85]

Clercius needs to be utilized more in the passing game. He's showing that he can be a game changer.

 

[Husky25]

Clercius is open even when he is covered. He has the ability to track the ball in flight, the athleticism to move his body into a catching position, finally he has a strong pair of hands to finish the play. He needs to given a chance a couple of times a game.

It all depends on where Turner is able to consistently place the throw. Sometimes separation isn't just for an unimpeded catch. From what I've seen, it seems like defenses like to play man on the outside and Turner doesn't have the confidence yet to put it into a smaller window than he'd grown accustomed to in high school.

 

[Alum86]

We need work on special teams. But Noe Ruelas is fine thank you.

People forget we lost our Kicker AND Punter for the season shortly before the start. Ruelas has been very good. I think there may be competition at kicker next year when McFadden is healthy. Our portal P5 transfer punter? Meh. No alarm clock wiring in getting those kicks off.

 

[Palatine]

It all depends on where Turner is able to consistently place the throw. Sometimes separation isn't just for an unimpeded catch. From what I've seen, it seems like defenses like to play man on the outside and Turner doesn't have the confidence yet to put it into a smaller window than he'd grown accustomed to in high school.

Forget windows. It's called a 50-50 ball. Or sometimes called giving your receiver a chance to make a play.

The calculation is that your guy will either catch the ball or he will prevent their guy from intercepting it. If Clercius is covered you throw it anyway because you like his chances. You trust his ability to defeat the DB. If he is deep. It can also be as good as a punt.

 

[Husky25]

Forget windows. It's called a 50-50 ball. Or sometimes called giving your receiver a chance to make a play.

The calculation is that your guy will either catch the ball or he will prevent their guy from intercepting it. If Clercius is covered you throw it anyway because you like his chances. You trust his ability to defeat the DB. If he is deep. It can also be as good as a punt.

...Still requires QB confidence.

 

[KembaKek]

When Dajon Harrison came to UConn he was supposed to be a Top-4 WR. Was showing it early in camp but hasn’t lived up to the expectation at all.

 

[Palatine]

When Dajon Harrison came to UConn he was supposed to be a Top-4 WR. Was showing it early in camp but hasn’t lived up to the expectation at all.

The coaches clearly believe in him. They put him on the field and they run plays designed for him.

 

[RedStickHusky]

O

...Still requires QB confidence.

Or a green light. You might not get that until you've got a shot at a winning drive. Especially if you think those balls are more like 30/70 or 40/60.

 

[Husky25]

O

Or a green light. You might not get that until you've got a shot at a winning drive. Especially if you think those balls are more like 30/70 or 40/60.

Yes. 50/50 is a misnomer. A QB is not going to intentionally throw up a ball that the defense has an equal or better chance at catching.

 

[Palatine]

Yes. 50/50 is a misnomer. A QB is not going to intentionally throw up a ball that the defense has an equal or better chance at catching.

Perhaps but that is the language. And it is in common useage. And they are throw quite often.

The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)NFL Closeup: Kenny Stills and 50/50 Ball Technique

An essential part of studying college stars is projecting them to the NFL game. You can’t do that well unless you’re well-versed in the NFL game. Therefore I watch a ton of pro football…

mattwaldmanrsp.com

OU football: "50-50" balls key part of Sooners' offense in recent weeks

In recent years, Oklahoma has had one of the most explosive offenses in the country under Lincoln Riley.

www.normantranscript.com

 

[RedStickHusky]

Perhaps but that is the language. And it is in common useage. And they are throw quite often.

The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)NFL Closeup: Kenny Stills and 50/50 Ball Technique

An essential part of studying college stars is projecting them to the NFL game. You can’t do that well unless you’re well-versed in the NFL game. Therefore I watch a ton of pro football…

mattwaldmanrsp.com

OU football: "50-50" balls key part of Sooners' offense in recent weeks

In recent years, Oklahoma has had one of the most explosive offenses in the country under Lincoln Riley.

www.normantranscript.com

Yeah, I'm not arguing, I just think there are a couple of assumptions in play when you call something a 50/50 ball that we may not be meeting. I mean sometimes a lack of confidence is rooted in reality.

 

[noeynox]

When Dajon Harrison came to UConn he was supposed to be a Top-4 WR. Was showing it early in camp but hasn’t lived up to the expectation at all.

He did get open deep and Zion missed him against Fresno. It hasn't translated into results yet, but I do think there is something there. I wouldn't give up 9n him yet.

 

[Husky25]

Perhaps but that is the language. And it is in common useage. And they are throw quite often.

The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)NFL Closeup: Kenny Stills and 50/50 Ball Technique

An essential part of studying college stars is projecting them to the NFL game. You can’t do that well unless you’re well-versed in the NFL game. Therefore I watch a ton of pro football…

mattwaldmanrsp.com

OU football: "50-50" balls key part of Sooners' offense in recent weeks

In recent years, Oklahoma has had one of the most explosive offenses in the country under Lincoln Riley.

www.normantranscript.com

Yes, but even what is termed a 50/50 ball requires a window into which the QB must throw as well as the confidence for any QB in that receiver will in fact catch it or prevent a pick.

From reports over the summer, Ta'Quon Roberson had it with Nigel Fitzgerald. Neither are on the field right now and UConn is trotting out QB2 and WR4, 5, & 6, and a converted TE. After the gauntlet of ranked teams they just navigated prior to FSU (west), it is understandable why a true freshman has been slow to find that confidence, but that is the reality.