Game Week 2022 - UConn @ Utah State Aggies (Saturday 8/27/22 @ 4p EST on FS1)

[huskymedic]

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-> On Tuesday, Mora held true to his word. Four players were listed at quarterback on UConn’s first two-deep depth chart.

But while Mora did not name a starter, it appears likely that Penn State transfer Ta’Quan Roberson will get the nod. The 5-foot-11 redshirt sophomore took the majority of the snaps during practice Tuesday as UConn prepped for Saturday’s road game. UConn’s other quarterback options — Zion Turner, Tyler Phommachanh and Cale Millen — saw fewer reps than in previous weeks of fall camp. <-

-> In recent weeks, Roberson has shown improvement with his accuracy in the air as he has seemingly become the favorite for the starting job. “I have seen his deep ball, which I always thought was a really good deep ball, become a little more accurate,” Mora said. “I have seen him be able to adjust, taking some mustard off a throw and putting some on it when he needs to and really his overall command of the offense (has improved).” <-

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

Alternate access link here <<

-> On the defensive side of the ball, Dalton Hilliard (defensive backs), Siriki Diabate (linebackers) and Kenny McClendon (defensive line) will be working with Mora and the analysts to fill the empty spot at defensive coordinator.

All three earned Bachelor’s degrees from their respective universities in 2013. Diabate was a linebacker at Syracuse from 2011-13, while McClendon played defensive line at Central Michigan. Hilliard played safety at UCLA and later returned as a defensive graduate assistant – both stints with Mora at the helm. <-

-> Not too far removed from their own respective careers as student-athletes, the defensive trio has related well to the UConn players. Being without a veteran coach, all three took turns calling the defense in unscripted situations. Mora will make the defensive decisions in-game for the time being, but it won’t be without consulting each of them first over the headphones: “What do you like? What do you want to hear? What are you guys thinking? How are we feeling?” <-

-> The group is still working out how they’ll manage play-calling in game, but Mora said if anyone is to blame for a bad call, it’s him.<-

 

[CL82]

I’m not just drinking the Kool-Aid, I’m surfing it. I am fully aware that a big dose of reality may hit us this Saturday, but for right now, I’m enjoying the ride.

 

[ZooCougar]

I took it somewhat differently. He didn't walk through the door and say we're ready to down a top-25 vote receiving team, so tempering some expectations, but I certainly heard less coach-speak and more "this is where we are at, this is what I like, this is what I don't".

Every coach I learn something new. Diaco was a used car salesmen so you bought every fluff line, so since we finally won breakfast, maybe we could win a game. Edsall was a hardass & scape-goater so you knew things weren't going to go well but you didn't know who's fault it was. PP papered the walls with answers but only left questions and only knew how to use coach-speak. For once, I feel like I heard someone that was honest, and that says a lot.

I heard “growing pains” a few times. I agree with the honesty. That’s why I said back to reality.

 

[RSTuthill]

Last year's loss to start the season was attributable to the wrong cleats. Players were slipping all over the place.

Better to say the shoes were a contributing factor. The principle root cause was clearly that Fresno was a lot better than UConn. And we know that now, informed by the data from the full 2021 season.

 

[RSTuthill]

So I watched a bit of it. Back to reality. I got the impression that he was tempering expectations to put it mildly.

Anyone else get that or something different.

I’m not posting the link. It’s on Facebook and easy to find.

I did not watch it, but I would note that we are now at that oh shiitake moment of a year ago when people got their first look at the Fresno two deep and reality started to set in. Hoping that HCJM's use of the portal will pay dividends on Saturday. But not gonna raise the bar unrealistically. A stop or two each quarter for the D, a couple of scores including at least a TD for the O, and I will be happy. A small step forward perhaps. But as they say in hockey, one shift at a time.

 

[ZooCougar]

I did not watch it, but I would note that we are now at that oh shiitake moment of a year ago when people got their first look at the Fresno two deep and reality started to set in. Hoping that HCJM's use of the portal will pay dividends on Saturday. But not gonna raise the bar unrealistically. A stop or two each quarter for the D, a couple of scores including at least a TD for the O, and I will be happy. A small step forward perhaps. But as they say in hockey, one shift at a time.

We are better coached. Better prepared. Didn’t take a season off and pretended like we would be better off for it.

We still have the same talent. Will that be enough to suddenly beat a team like Utah State on the road?

I think everyone knows the answer to that question. The first 6 games on the schedule outside of CCSU are a crucible. And while we should prevail against CCSU, it’s far from a given.

 

[UConnJim]

We are better coached. Better prepared. Didn’t take a season off and pretended like we would be better off for it.

We still have the same talent. Will that be enough to suddenly beat a team like Utah State on the road?

I think everyone knows the answer to that question. The first 6 games on the schedule outside of CCSU are a crucible. And while we should prevail against CCSU, it’s far from a given.

I disagree about talent. There has been significant roster turnover and many transfers have been brought in. I would say UConn has upgraded QB, WR, OL, and LBs with an infusion of talent. And, UConn does not have 12 Fr and R-Fr on the 2 deep to start the year as well as true Fr P and K like they did for the Fresno State game. There are 10 transfers on the 2 deep including 6 starters. And, the 2 deep is not a static document and it can be used to send a message to players.

Will the roster changes and new coaches lead to a winning season? I don't think so as the roster is still young and they still need to upgrade talent, but I'm confident that the offensive coaching will be light years ahead of last year and the defense will be better.

 

[huskymedic]

Mora just announced on the Coach’s Show that unfortunately both freshman offensive linemen Ben Murawski and Brady Wayburn’s preseason injuries will keep them out for the year.

He also alluded to Cale Millen being the fastest of 4 quarterbacks on the rosters.

 

[ScottVib]

The interesting thing I noticed is the second ‘team’ OL is only two guys. Fortin across the interior and Antolovich at the tackle slots.

 

[Palatine]

I watched a ton of Vince Dooley pre-game pressers when I lived in Georgia. He would make every opponent sound like the 67 Packers. Mora did some of the same stuff talking about the US QB as Elway-esque. Overall, I thought Mora was very even-handed.

The big take away is how awful our beat reports are. They almost never ask an interesting or probing question.

 

[RSTuthill]

So I don't want to start a debate or be too negative, but we have no data about the quality of the coaching (other than the CV's of HCJM and AHC Charlton) and unless they invite the BY to practice every day, we are never gonna have that. What we have so far are the vids the program wants us to see and the far more adroit handling of the public with communication skills previous regimes could only dream of. We also know that last year's 1-11 team lost its two best players and the portal transfers and recruits who have come in to backfill the losses are as yet untested and of unknown capability.

All that said, our collective gut tells us that things are about to get better. We are anxious to find out how much better. And as someone said a week or two ago, things feel as if they are getting back to normal.

 

[ZooCougar]

I disagree about talent. There has been significant roster turnover and many transfers have been brought in. I would say UConn has upgraded QB, WR, OL, and LBs with an infusion of talent. And, UConn does not have 12 Fr and R-Fr on the 2 deep to start the year as well as true Fr P and K like they did for the Fresno State game. There are 10 transfers on the 2 deep including 6 starters. And, the 2 deep is not a static document and it can be used to send a message to players.

Will the roster changes and new coaches lead to a winning season? I don't think so as the roster is still young and they still need to upgrade talent, but I'm confident that the offensive coaching will be light years ahead of last year and the defense will be better.

Yeah. I’m surprised we don’t see more transfers higher on the depth chart. I don’t think it’s that much different. It’s probably not worse.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Husky68]

We are better coached. Better prepared. Didn’t take a season off and pretended like we would be better off for it.

We still have the same talent. Will that be enough to suddenly beat a team like Utah State on the road?

I think everyone knows the answer to that question. The first 6 games on the schedule outside of CCSU are a crucible. And while we should prevail against CCSU, it’s far from a given.

Last comment got my attention, beating CCSU if far from a given? I'd have to say it's pretty close to a given. Per Massey ratings CCSU has as much a chance of beating UConn as Unv. Louisiana Monroe has of beating Alabama in Alabama.

 

[RSTuthill]

Last comment got my attention, beating CCSU if far from a given? I'd have to say it's pretty close to a given. Per Massey ratings CCSU has as much a chance of beating UConn as Unv. Louisiana Monroe has of beating Alabama in Alabama.

You may have offended the woof gods with that statement. I did the same thing with the Maine game a few years back. I have a lot of friends in Maine. Not gonna repeat my mistake.

 

[ZooCougar]

Last comment got my attention, beating CCSU if far from a given? I'd have to say it's pretty close to a given. Per Massey ratings CCSU has as much a chance of beating UConn as Unv. Louisiana Monroe has of beating Alabama in Alabama.

Did you not see how Yale almost beat us last season? We should win that game but we lost to Holy Cross and almost lost to Yale soooooooooo

 

[Woof 101]

Every coach I learn something new. Diaco was a used car salesmen so you bought every fluff line, so since we finally won breakfast, maybe we could win a game. Edsall was a hardass & scape-goater so you knew things weren't going to go well but you didn't know who's fault it was. PP papered the walls with answers but only left questions and only knew how to use coach-speak. For once, I feel like I heard someone that was honest, and that says a lot.

My exact thoughts but you got to it first. Jim is tell it like it is and what little fan base we have left needs right now.

 

[Palatine]

Better to say the shoes were a contributing factor. The principle root cause was clearly that Fresno was a lot better than UConn. And we know that now, informed by the data from the full 2021 season.

They were better but the situation was exacerbated because Edsall started Jack Zergiotis. We had wide open receivers behind the Fresno defense and ZT couldn't get the ball with five yards of them. That game did not have to be the all out disaster it was.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Better to say the shoes were a contributing factor. The principle root cause was clearly that Fresno was a lot better than UConn. And we know that now, informed by the data from the full 2021 season.

They were better but the situation was exacerbated because Edsall started Jack Zergiotis. We had wide open receivers behind the Fresno defense and ZT couldn't get the ball with five yards of them. That game did not have to be the all out disaster it was.

I was joking about the cleats. Someone had the audacity to accuse me of trolling with my comment.

I'll take plenty of flak on these message boards without responding, but if you accuse my humor of being trolling, well, that's a bridge too far in my book.

 

[jdb50]

At first glance I though Coach was being interviewed by Norm Pattis.

 

[huskymedic]

Alternate access link here <<

-> On the defensive side of the ball, Dalton Hilliard (defensive backs), Siriki Diabate (linebackers) and Kenny McClendon (defensive line) will be working with Mora and the analysts to fill the empty spot at defensive coordinator.

All three earned Bachelor’s degrees from their respective universities in 2013. Diabate was a linebacker at Syracuse from 2011-13, while McClendon played defensive line at Central Michigan. Hilliard played safety at UCLA and later returned as a defensive graduate assistant – both stints with Mora at the helm. <-

-> Not too far removed from their own respective careers as student-athletes, the defensive trio has related well to the UConn players. Being without a veteran coach, all three took turns calling the defense in unscripted situations. Mora will make the defensive decisions in-game for the time being, but it won’t be without consulting each of them first over the headphones: “What do you like? What do you want to hear? What are you guys thinking? How are we feeling?” <-

-> The group is still working out how they’ll manage play-calling in game, but Mora said if anyone is to blame for a bad call, it’s him.<-

The Mike Anthony/Hearst Improvise-Adapt-Overcome version :

How will UConn football function without defensive coordinator?

UConn football coach Jim Mora and three assistants are collaborating to fill the role of defensive coordinator during Lou Spanos’ leave of absence.

www.ctinsider.com

Alternate access link here <<<

-> “It’s been pretty smooth, I guess,” said junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell, of Ridgefield. “Coach Mora is a really good coach and he’s a really smart coach defensive coach. It hasn’t been too hard, I guess. Obviously, (Spanos) is my guy and I hope everything is good with him, but we’ve got to move on fast because obviously we have a game in four days. It was kind of weird the first couple days. But I think we’re good now.” <-

-> “We have a feeling for what we want to do,” Mora said. “Right now, I’d say if you want to blame anyone for a crappy call, make sure you blame me, OK? It is me, not them. But it’s a great collaboration right now. These guys are outstanding. They’re the best young coaches I’ve ever been around. They’ve unbelievable. And they’re great people. The players love them and they love the players.” <-

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Samoo]

I’m not just drinking the Kool-Aid, I’m surfing it. I am fully aware that a big dose of reality may hit us this Saturday, but for right now, I’m enjoying the ride.

I did not watch it, but I would note that we are now at that oh shiitake moment of a year ago when people got their first look at the Fresno two deep and reality started to set in. Hoping that HCJM's use of the portal will pay dividends on Saturday. But not gonna raise the bar unrealistically. A stop or two each quarter for the D, a couple of scores including at least a TD for the O, and I will be happy. A small step forward perhaps. But as they say in hockey, one shift at a time.

I was joking about the cleats. Someone had the audacity to accuse me of trolling with my comment.

I'll take plenty of flak on these message boards without responding, but if you accuse my humor of being trolling, well, that's a bridge too far in my book.

Humor?