Ellis Marder - key play in the ECU game.

[RedStickHusky]

Haven't seen anyone else comment on this and wanted to give props. Mid-3rd qtr, still 10-6 UCONN and ECU has 3rd and 8 from the UConn 35. It's the play after Obi's (rightly) overturned interception. Marder gets stuck on man in a seam route with no top cover and he's chasing. Stays in contact gets his head turned and breaks up the pass (another two yards on the pass and this could be a whole different story but he made the play that needed to be made). On 4th down, Stewart makes a play on the edge. We then drive the other way to stretch out the lead and route is on. Marder is probably gonna spend a lot of time on the field next year - nice to see him make a big play and contribute to a win.

 

[Nostical]

You're right to highlight his effort. That was a pivotal play. The coaches seem to have more confidence in him every week. With good reason. Marder is fearless, fast, and flexible. That's been evident on special teams and its vital for a safety. His low 40 time (4:50) is right there with Obi and Adams (4:48). His 6-1" height is Obi-like (6-2") and a plus against the seemingly bigger receivers we face each week. And like Obi he's all-academic so he's a quick study.
That play Friday night gave the coaches (and Ellis) a window on what he could do out there when it all came down to making a play when it counted. I suspect confidence has been boosted in both.

 

[noeynox]

Marder and Hadley have played real well in back up roles. It is nice to see some quality back ups contribute. Hadley, for a small guy is as sure a tackler as we have in the open field. Marder has a real nice overall game can turn and run well for safety, can come up and tackle and does well on special teams.

 

[uconnphil2016]

I remember seeing that and thinking that maybe we wouldn't have such a deficiency at safety next year with Marder back there

 

[gioff23]

It was a nice play and I like the kid's play this year, but, to the original point, it was an underthrown ball. If unis were reversed, we would be lamenting the underthrow by our QB

 

[RedStickHusky]

Would've been an easier catch for the rcvr, marder would still have had a chance to make a more difficult play.

 

[Kgun7]

You're right to highlight his effort. That was a pivotal play. The coaches seem to have more confidence in him every week. With good reason. Marder is fearless, fast, and flexible. That's been evident on special teams and its vital for a safety. His low 40 time (4:50) is right there with Obi and Adams (4:48). His 6-1" height is Obi-like (6-2") and a plus against the seemingly bigger receivers we face each week. And like Obi he's all-academic so he's a quick study.
That play Friday night gave the coaches (and Ellis) a window on what he could do out there when it all came down to making a play when it counted. I suspect confidence has been boosted in both.

Hey hey hey ... back off ... that slogan is already taken ...

 

[RedStickHusky]

Kgun - you never do that side of the ball.... it was a big play in the game.

 

[Kgun7]

Kgun - you never do that side of the ball.... it was a big play in the game.

I'll allow ... "A Pivotal Defensive Play" ... and that's my final offer ...

 

[Carl Spackler]

I can't recall right now when, but the kid got burned on a play somehwer else, somehow. I remember the announcers on the broadcast talking about how a tall DB can't run fast. Made me want to beat somebody. DB's are going to get beat once in a while, but when all things are equal, and it's 1-1 and the ball is in play - it comes down to the players making the play. The Vince Lombardi game of inches. Yes - if the ball is placed a bit differently by the QB, the DB doesn't have a chance - as long as the receiver actually reaches and makes the catch.

In this case - the DB - made the play. It's nice to see play makers, make plays in our favor and there was a lot of it in that ECU game - but it's well over and done with now.

Last year - we lost to Tulane by the score of 12-3.

It's time to change that to something that favors us.

(p.s. I do very much enjoy the play of the pivotal week breakdowns on video - and I'm sure I'm not alone)