I'm just taking the coach at his word. Read my initial post. I think this is a fair question and one that deserves some conversation.
Sadly, I agree. I understand playing for the future. But when a coach gives the impression that he wasn't even trying, and some of his calls also give that impression, I'm not sure what to think. You can play for 2015 and beyond if you want. Lots of new coaches do that. But at least make it look like you're trying to win the games you play. You think it is better to play 22 freshmen, play 22 freshmen with a play to try and win the game. Play 22 freshmen and just go with them...there are only 12 games on the schedule. You have to try and win 12. You don't throw up a white flag in any "just to get data points."
BYU was a tough out. I get that. But UConn had a shot to get back in the game and we've all seen better teams panic when the weaker team makes a run. Somebody tries to make a play that isn't there and drops the ball on the ground. A quarterback tries to hit a covered receiver, all sorts of things can happen when a team you are knocking around is suddenly scoring points. Happens all the time in college. I actually didn't have a huge problem with the fake field goal. I didn't like the way it was run, the execution, and I thought it was a strange call on 4th & 12. But at least it showed some courage. But the 50 players and the 2 quarterback thing was beyond strange. the late figgie down 3 scores for "practice"... changing qbs in the red zone was unthinkable. Spiked the drive right there. had we scored htere and made it 21-14 would we have won the football game? Probably not, but stranger things have happened.
Final point. I agree with Fishy. there is no question to which the answer is it is ok to lose to Stony Brook.