Every loss had a theme around it, each of which was crucial to get us to this point.
It's a weird way to tell the story, but the losses are actually pretty powerful in their own right, to understand what this team has been made of.
If Ball state hadn't happened, I personally am not sure if BC or Liberty happen. based on that, I accept the Ball State loss happening when it did, if indeed it changed the team moving forward.
This. Is. Possible.
We. Are. Enough.
Beyond happy for those kids, and excited to see what the next game (hopefully 2 games) looks like.
Not worrying about next year just yet.
One play, one series, one quarter, one half, one game - at a time.
- Utah State: The smell of competitiveness & the prospects of what a competent UConn football program could be. The wounds of the past are so open still, that this felt like a win in so many ways. We're overjoyed, but HCJM isn't taking any moral victories as a source of satisfaction.
- Syracuse: A humbling reminder that our team wasn't even close to "there" yet. Injuries still fresh, new replacements clearly unsure of selves and we are humbled start to finish. A learning experience.
- Michigan: A taste of destiny - Daytime ABC broadcast in one of the temples of the sport. We never had a chance, but it was OK - We needed to be there to understand ourselves and see what could be.
- NC State: Possibly the most painful of the expected "obvious" losses - However, in spite of the perceived lack of growth, the identity of who the current roster is as individual players and as a collective (on all 3 sides of the ball) is starting to take shape. There is something here that we can work with, even though the fans & pundits cannot see. Keep going.
- Ball State: Probably the hardest of ALL losses of the year, given the matchup on paper and 1st half dominance. However, HCJM himself said today (11/12/22), this game was perhaps the unexpected turning point in the team - This was painful, and deeply so - but a different kind of pain. Any remnant of doubt remaining is now pulverized; We have what it takes, and we'll never let something like this happen again.
It's a weird way to tell the story, but the losses are actually pretty powerful in their own right, to understand what this team has been made of.
If Ball state hadn't happened, I personally am not sure if BC or Liberty happen. based on that, I accept the Ball State loss happening when it did, if indeed it changed the team moving forward.
This. Is. Possible.
We. Are. Enough.
Beyond happy for those kids, and excited to see what the next game (hopefully 2 games) looks like.
Not worrying about next year just yet.
One play, one series, one quarter, one half, one game - at a time.
