Fagnano and Bell are out for the Wasabi Bowl

[uconnfan68]

Hate this whole situation because fans have a right to be upset but it also inadvertently hurts the football program which at this point has done nothing wrong. And on top of that, our opponent happens to be one of the few programs that never turns their rosters over, meaning they’re playing at full strength

Hoping Navy whips them pretty hard. Soften them up a bit.

 

[cohenzone]

I think the NCAA could mandate that players play in bowl games as part of their NIL contracts. I don’t see how it would meet institutional resistance. It benefits everyone except the player that doesn’t want to play. Frankly, the players have plenty now. It’s time to start worrying about the actual paying fans again.

Without those guys playing, we have no chance to win the game and we will likely have a poor fan showing too. Why play the game? Oh, because the schools and everyone associated with the bowl get a paycheck and the fans can still be guilted into wasting their money on a garbage game. I’d go if I lived in Boston, that’s about it. No point showing up to watch our second and third string get run over by Army in the cold. It just isn’t fair to the fans.

The schools lose money as I understand it even if all the players show.

 

[CTBasketball]

I’ll still be going gotta support the full team.

But the AD & the school had to have known this was a risk when the team vocalized their malcontent for the possibility of this bowl. None of this or any other opt outs should come as a surprise.

 

[Palatine]

Only works if schools collude and all agree to those types of contracts.

While there is not currently an organization representing the players. It is not collusion for a sport to have standard player contracts. This seems to be an area that will be a mess or some time to come.

 

[Jax Husky]

Just heard both players will be skipping the Fenway/Wasabi bowl game.

Who starts at quarterback, and which other players won't be suiting up?

Bell I understand, but why is Fagnano skipping? He is likely a 5th rd pick at this point, why not try to put a little more on tape and play with your brothers one more time? Fagnano out is a huge loss for this game.

 

[metsfan2323]

I have no problem with players who are about to be drafted protecting themselves when the game is completely meaningless. I guess you guys don't remember the Willis McGahee injury. We don't even have coaches.

Yes, the game will likely be ugly.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

On the bright side we are gonna see if Nick has progressed and Army are going to have to deal with yet another talented runner. If Cam is gonna play, I assume so will Mel? Is that right? If so, there will be weapons. And the weather is gonna be warm. My concern is some of the lesser names. How many of those are going AWOL, so to speak? And the other QB's will be ready. The tiny bit we saw them in, I forget which blowout win, gave us just enough to make us want to see more. The game is meaningless by now. So lets see what these other guys have got. They know that Coach Candle will be watching.

I liked the point about the Giants and other bottom feeders doing a lot more than going through the motions. Kinda like running out a ground ball to first. It is just something you do if for no other reason than respect for the game.

We could use a list of who's out and who's in. I want to see a list of the Coalition of the Willing.

Warm weather? I can only see up to the 26th and looks like cold rainy weather, temps in upper 30's. Maybe a 60 degree thaw??

 

[gwhuskyfan]

What do people think of the G5 playoff idea that was tossed around. Given our AP Top 25 votes, I'd assume we'd be ranked in the top 12 or whatever they decided for a G5 playoff and in it. Feel like players would be more motivated by that. I know it's then saying we're not necessarily up to par with the P4, but maybe this works better?

 

[Alum86]

Yeah it sucks and I'm a bit disappointed, but makes sense because both are most likely going to get invite to the combine and mid to late draft picks so they don't want to injure themselves.

Bell is going early in the draft and Joe will be a UDFA. That is why it would be a head scratcher for Joe F.

 

[metsfan2323]

Bell is going early in the draft and Joe will be a UDFA. That is why it would be a head scratcher for Joe F.

Joe has a shot to be a late round pick.

 

[ScottVib]

Still happy to be going to the game. If nothing else it's a preview of next season, frankly it probably gives Candle a better look at what he needs to add.

For Fagnano & Bell, I get it, both have reasonable NFL aspirations and may be in full prep or enjoying the last bit of time with family before they go heads down in full on preparation for any opportunities. For Fagnano nailing the workouts is probably even more important, which if anything would be more critical to avoid injury or any potential black marks next to his name.

 

[Wildgopher]

Bell is completely understandable.

For all we know, maybe Joe is just stepping aside to let Coach Candle get a look at our other QB's.

I don't think that those 2 guys being out of the game means Army is going to win either.

Let's see what happens.

As a fan, I have always rooted for UConn first, and the players second. I will not change no matter who the player is.

Go Huskies!

 

[UConnTrumbull]

What do people think of the G5 playoff idea that was tossed around. Given our AP Top 25 votes, I'd assume we'd be ranked in the top 12 or whatever they decided for a G5 playoff and in it. Feel like players would be more motivated by that. I know it's then saying we're not necessarily up to par with the P4, but maybe this works better?

No because it would be used as an excuse to exclude the G5 forever.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I’ll still be going gotta support the full team.

But the AD & the school had to have known this was a risk when the team vocalized their malcontent for the possibility of this bowl. None of this or any other opt outs should come as a surprise.

Any proof of that? Not saying your wrong I’m just curious.

 

[metsfan2323]

Go back to the model we had years ago: full scholarship, no NIL money, and no transfer portal without sitting out a year. Tear down this new model.

Yeah, lets go back to the model where certain schools are allowed to cheat and UConn gets sanctioned over nonsense.

 

[coachcap]

What do people think of the G5 playoff idea that was tossed around. Given our AP Top 25 votes, I'd assume we'd be ranked in the top 12 or whatever they decided for a G5 playoff and in it. Feel like players would be more motivated by that. I know it's then saying we're not necessarily up to par with the P4, but maybe this works better?

Those who are proposing the G5 playoff are the same good old boy network that would love to see all teams that moved up to FBS Status in the last 30 odd years to go back down to the FCS ranks.
If one acknowledges a G5 playoff, one is actually giving homage to a glorified reconstructed FCS division...

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Every is entitled to their opinions.

I understand that we've been hit with a roller-coaster ride of emotions since the missed FG at the end of the FAU game.

In a perfect world we would be entering this game with a full coaching staff and a full roster, ready to hang 40 something points on Army while holding them under 20. The hand we've been dealt is quite a bit less than perfect.

The best we can do at the moment but is accept things as they are (we cannot change anything about this fame beyond the efforts we put in to watching it), appreciate the good we've received from the players & coaches and look forward to a new chapter in the program (it may not present itself immediately but I believe our new head coach will bring us consistently higher than we've ever been).

I'm not about to get angry with anyone who won't be part of the upcoming bowl game. I'd rather thank them for the role they played in getting us where we will be in a few years.

 

[pilgrim]

Does anyone else feel this bowl game is rather anticlimactic? With the departure of our head coach, interim head coach, and several players, and after a long break (it will be over a month since the FAU game), it feels like all momentum from a successful season is gone and that the game is pointless. It doesn't even feel like the same team. Who will be handling head coaching duties? I know it's a business, but this all really puts a damper on things.

Paradigm change to business mode, and the only things football fans can do is boycott by refusing attendance and becoming streamers. That would send the University and the football departments a message. I can't imagine Geno permitting a scholarship players to refuse to participate in March madness post season games. This is an issue for the AD to address.

 

[FightOnCT]

What do people think of the G5 playoff idea that was tossed around. Given our AP Top 25 votes, I'd assume we'd be ranked in the top 12 or whatever they decided for a G5 playoff and in it. Feel like players would be more motivated by that. I know it's then saying we're not necessarily up to par with the P4, but maybe this works better?

The same guys played last year in Fenway so I don’t think the issue is that it’s meaningless, I think it’s coaching instability + draft preparation.

As for the G6 playoffs, it’s an attempt by higher ups to create a “separate but equal” playoff so they can shoehorn in their favorite teams into the playoffs while saying the G6 shouldn’t compete. It’s not politically correct to say BC or Rutgers shouldn’t either so they hide behind the P4 vs G6 labels.

 

[Vowelguy]

I think the NCAA could mandate that players play in bowl games as part of their NIL contracts.

And what do you do if a player says they are injured? Force a trainer to clear them? Force them to play? Player gets injured and the school gets sued. Or the player plays and they give the same effort NBA players give in the all-star game.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

The best idea really is a Week 0 bowl game. Or just add a 13th regular season game and replace bowls altogether besides CFP.

 

[Tdaley]

Cry me a river

2 players opt out, one it is totally understandable, and it's the end of the freaking world. What if 5 or 10 opt out? If you are a true Uconn fan, you would look at this as an opportunity to see what we have for next year. A preview perhaps. Or see where we need to attack the portal.
I'll tell you what, our new coach would much rather see this than watch 2 guys who will never spend a second under his regime.

I for one would love to see if we have the potential QB for next year on the roster or not.

I agree 100 per cent! It’s a UConn football game in December. Let’s root for the players that will play their hearts out for the team. Go Huskies!

 

[Gburyhusky]

Neither of these guys (Fagnano of Bell) owe any apologies or explanations. They have been exemplary representatives of the program and have given much more than they have gotten. Specifically as to Fagnano, give some thought to the guy's path: he is a successful FCS QB at Maine, decides to roll the dice and transfer to UConn when it was a a borderline dumpster fire of a program to follow Charton (who later leaves). He wins the job, then gets hurt and spends basically an entire season on the sidelines rehabbing. He is recruited over with Evers but doesn't transfer. He finally gets his shot and he plays what was the likely the best single season a UConn QB has ever had. This guy has done enough and can call his shot as he sees it.

 

[Jimdish255]

I understand your point but fans should go to support Uconn. You bailing is kind of mirroring what they are doing. Of course everyone is free to do what they want with their time and money but I think its important to do our part.

I don't see the disappointment as "mirroring" anything. Guilt trips that involve dictating other's priorities are usually a bad take. Army is a difficult game to get excited about to begin with, and now your QB who is the key piece of your offense won't be playing. But you're a bad fan if you don't dedicate substantial time and money to make the trip? I spent mine at the FAU game anticipating this possiblity. We got a bad draw and it looks like most players agree. We'll support the team in person again next year and watch this game at home. But people have priorities that legitimately include whether making this trip would be worth it for them. Like others if it was easier/cheaper/closer I'd still go. But more attractive options for many fans might have included a warm weather trip similar to Boca vs Louisville. This year was about making a statement. For individual players this game can still do that. But for the program the odds are stacked against this being a meaningful game. That goes for a lot of Bowl Games now. It was inevitable in the current setup.

Let's take it easy on each other. Most of us showed up for a lot of cold, hopeless games watching the program slide with an anemic offense and bend-break defense. So make the best of it and show up if you can. The rest of us will be back again next year pulling for the team to have another great year.

 

[Samoo]

If they could play last year, they can easily play this year. What’s changed?

Disappointing to say the least

You support and root for these players. Then they have a good year and it’s all about them.

Really hard to support this system that is such an to the fans they want to attend and watch the games.

Ah, I don't know, maybe, if they get injured, a chance for a multi-million $ professional contract...

Would you be willing to risk foregoing life-changing wealth to play in a bowl game that doesn't honestly mean that much?

 

[UCHFB2003]

Players are gonna do what they think is best for their futures. Does suck tho how irrelevant bowls are becoming and that every prominent player sits out now. Bowl games back in the day were way more competitive and wanted in general. Hopefully we can pull something together against Army. 10th win on the season would be a big achievement for the program

 

[Hoophound]

Ah, I don't know, maybe, if they get injured, a chance for a multi-million $ professional contract...

Would you be willing to risk foregoing life-changing wealth to play in a bowl game that doesn't honestly mean that much?

Insurance. There is no point in fans paying for garbage. That's the bottom line. If this is what bowls are going to be, fans are complete suckers for paying for them.

 

[BRS24]

No shade to the OP, however has this been confirmed by anyone?

 

[FightOnCT]

If they could play last year, they can easily play this year. What’s changed?

Disappointing to say the least

You support and root for these players. Then they have a good year and it’s all about them.

Really hard to support this system that is such an to the fans they want to attend and watch the games.

That last part is definitely true I get it but Bell has done a lot for UConn in this past year. Remember, he was a big factor in why Malachi Smith transferred over here. He shows up to basketball and hockey games too, I doubt it’s anything more than preserving draft stock.

 

[Waquoit]

This why we chose the Fenway Bowl. Nobody Very few people would travel far for a bowl this year, imo. And I don't blame these guys, Army is a dirty team, who needs that?