Let's take a look at the offense

[UConnJim]

I think we are all in agreement about how poorly the defense performed in 2018, but what about the offense? And, how did the offense compare vs 2017?

First, let's look at Pindell. He had great rushing stats, gaining over 1000 yards as a QB. Unfortunately, his passing stats were subpar. Pindell passed for 163.5 yards per game which was 87th in the country and 10th in the AAC. His QB ranking was 123.41. In addition, he tied for 3rd for most interceptions with 13. In 2017, Bryant Shirreffs passed for 254 yards per game and was ranked 26th in the country and 4th in the AAC. His QB rating was 153.58 and threw 5 interceptions.

Overall, Pindell averaged 258 yards in total offense per game, ranking 35th in the country and 4th in the AAC. Sherriffs averaged 276 yards per game, ranking 26th in the country and 5th in the AAC.

Here are the offensive stats:

Total offense: 2018: 378 ypg, 2017: 415 ypg
Total offense rank: 2018: 88, 2017: 50

Passing offense: 2018: 179 ypg, 2017: 269 ypg
Passing offense rank: 2018: 108, 2017: 34

Rushing offense: 2018: 199 ypg, 2017: 146 ypg
Rushing offense rank: 2018: 40, 2017: 89

Scoring offense: 2018: 22.2 ppg, 2017: 23.6 ppg
Scoring offense rank: 2018: 114, 2017: 103

Turnovers: 2018: 28, 2017: 19
(The 28 turnovers were worst in FBS)

3rd Down Conversion: 2018: 42.4%, 2017: 39.8%
3rd Down Conv rank: 2018: 43, 2017: 65

Red Zone Conversion: 2018: 74.3%, 2017: 73.8%
Red Zone Conversion rank: 2018: 126, 2017: 117
Red Zone TD Conversion: 2018: 74.3%, 2017: 52.4%
(Note: UConn had 0 FGs in the red zone this year which has not happened in FBS in the last 10 years. In other words, UConn almost always went for the TD this year, probably due to being behind or expecting a high scoring game.)

Sacks Allowed: 2018: 2.33, 2017: 2.92
Sacks Allowed rank: 2018: 78, 2017: 109

Tackles for Loss Allowed: 2018: 6.92, 2017: 7.58
Tackles for Loss Allowed rank: 2018: 100, 2017: 117

Time of possession: 2018: 31:43, 2017: 29:33
(Seems meaningless as the opponents scored quickly.)

My read on the stats:

UConn passed more in 2017 and ran more in 2018. Sherriffs was a better passing QB than Pindell, but Pindell was the better runner. The UConn offense turned it over 9 more times in 2018 than 2017 (UConn lead FBS in turnovers in 2018) and Pindell threw a large number of interceptions. Sure, UConn had different OCs in 2017 and 2018, but how much did the skills of the QBs impact the offensive game plans?

I think the offensive line improved as sacks and tackles for a loss declined over 2017. UConn slightly improved on 3rd down conversions vs 2017. The red zone stats are skewed due to not kicking field goals in the red zone this year.

The 2018 offense did not pass the ball well enough and turned it over too much. The outcome was similar to 2017 as both teams scored about the same amount of points.

Bottom line is that the offense needs almost as much improvement as the defense.

 

[tiger8mush]

Different philosophy in 2018 vs 2017, but same outcome. What do we do going forward?

We're losing our starting Center (Crozier), three top WRs (Beals and Mayala and Buss), top two TEs (Davis and McLean), and starting QB.

But we do get RB O'Reilly back from injury (he was the starter going into 2018), Mensah and Black are another year older, and have a solid WR coming back (Dixon). The rest of the OL is coming back, so hopefully they can help the young Center (Hubbard?). Jay Rose at TE, and/or a JUCO or 2019 recruit?
Most important, who is gonna be QB? JUCO, new recruit, or a youngin' already on the roster?

 

[Stainmaster]

Different philosophy in 2018 vs 2017, but same outcome. What do we do going forward?

We're losing our starting Center (Crozier), three top WRs (Beals and Mayala and Buss), top two TEs (Davis and McLean), and starting QB.

But we do get RB O'Reilly back from injury (he was the starter going into 2018), Mensah and Black are another year older, and have a solid WR coming back (Dixon). The rest of the OL is coming back, so hopefully they can help the young Center (Hubbard?). Jay Rose at TE, and/or a JUCO or 2019 recruit?
Most important, who is gonna be QB? JUCO, new recruit, or a youngin' already on the roster?

Given Hubbard’s performance in mop-up duty this year, I’m expecting a close competition between him and Peter Rooney this spring.

 

[Husky68]

"Bottom line is that the offense needs almost as much improvement as the defense."


Hmmmmmmmmmm! Looks like a head coaching issue going into YEAR THREE.
I've got the solution: "LET'S HAVE THE SAME CAST OF COACHING CHARACTERS RUN THE PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND EXPECT BETTER RESULTS"

I didn't say "DIFFERENT" results 'cause they could be different, WORSE! Me who laughed at the poster who said "one win in 2018 was possible" and I posted that if that occurred HCRE2.0 would be fired; he was right and I was unfortunately wrong.

So in December 2016 AD Dave hired exHCREDreamJob1.0 to become HCRE2.0 with the idea of fielding a FBS team that is competitive (didn't say bowl eligible) in 202?. If anyone here thinks UConn football will be competitive in 2019 you haven't been looking at the product on the field or listening to DO IT THE RIGHT WAY HCRE2.0.

Unless Washington is Cam Newton the 2nd (and has time to play given his academic load) or the kid "K" is a secret import from the Hawaiian Island QB tree, it is going to be a long, long season on offense. And that is before you even factor in that HCRE2.0 will be calling the shots on offense.









Quote R

 

[Stainmaster]

"Bottom line is that the offense needs almost as much improvement as the defense."


Hmmmmmmmmmm! Looks like a head coaching issue going into YEAR THREE.
I've got the solution: "LET'S HAVE THE SAME CAST OF COACHING CHARACTERS RUN THE PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND EXPECT BETTER RESULTS"

I didn't say "DIFFERENT" results 'cause they could be different, WORSE! Me who laughed at the poster who said "one win in 2018 was possible" and I posted that if that occurred HCRE2.0 would be fired; he was right and I was unfortunately wrong.

So in December 2016 AD Dave hired exHCREDreamJob1.0 to become HCRE2.0 with the idea of fielding a FBS team that is competitive (didn't say bowl eligible) in 202?. If anyone here thinks UConn football will be competitive in 2019 you haven't been looking at the product on the field or listening to DO IT THE RIGHT WAY HCRE2.0.

Unless Washington is Cam Newton the 2nd (and has time to play given his academic load) or the kid "K" is a secret import from the Hawaiian Island QB tree, it is going to be a long, long season on offense. And that is before you even factor in that HCRE2.0 will be calling the shots on offense.









Quote R

Okay then, pay up.

 

[gioff2323]

"Bottom line is that the offense needs almost as much improvement as the defense."


Hmmmmmmmmmm! Looks like a head coaching issue going into YEAR THREE.
I've got the solution: "LET'S HAVE THE SAME CAST OF COACHING CHARACTERS RUN THE PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND EXPECT BETTER RESULTS"

I didn't say "DIFFERENT" results 'cause they could be different, WORSE! Me who laughed at the poster who said "one win in 2018 was possible" and I posted that if that occurred HCRE2.0 would be fired; he was right and I was unfortunately wrong.

So in December 2016 AD Dave hired exHCREDreamJob1.0 to become HCRE2.0 with the idea of fielding a FBS team that is competitive (didn't say bowl eligible) in 202?. If anyone here thinks UConn football will be competitive in 2019 you haven't been looking at the product on the field or listening to DO IT THE RIGHT WAY HCRE2.0.

Unless Washington is Cam Newton the 2nd (and has time to play given his academic load) or the kid "K" is a secret import from the Hawaiian Island QB tree, it is going to be a long, long season on offense. And that is before you even factor in that HCRE2.0 will be calling the shots on offense.









Quote R

oh good another post introducing a new topic

 

[Stainmaster]

oh good another post introducing a new topic

”ExHCDreamJob1.0” gets more and more entertaining to read each time.

 

[gioff2323]

What makes the comparison more difficult is (I believe) the 2017 O numbers dropped off once BS was thru playing. I know some will do nothing for the next 9 months other than whine woe is me, but losing 3 WRs and 2 TEs who created little separation and were not a deep threat and a QB that was not a threat to throw, despite his glove size, does not equate to the end of the world. We need to start finding and/or developing playmakers. The good news for the O is that everything starts up front and we finally have the makings of a decent OL. If Washington can keep himself out of the doghouse and Krajewski develops as he should, we will have a legit contest at QB. Hopefully there is a Marcus Easley buried on the depth chart or a young pup who can become a true outside threat. Hard to be creative on O when none of your receivers needs a double team.

 

[RSTuthill]

Which brings up the other unoriginal topic. How many wins will it take HCRE2.0 to get fired next year? Two?

 

[metsfan2323]

Which brings up the other unoriginal topic. How many wins will it take HCRE2.0 to get fired next year? Two?

It will be more about showing progress than wins. Show significant progress on D (a must) and have legitimate high hopes for 2020.

 

[LBird33]

It’s gonna be a long year

 

[hardcorehusky]

I use the eye test- the O had moments where you said- that is a really good offense. But just like the D crumbled, the Offense would too. Pindell will go down as a great runner but not a great passer. Bottom line- it wasn't working with who was here. So, let's see what the new guys can do. The O line will finally be back to pre 2011 standards. We will have good RB's. Now it's up to the TE, WR and QB's to step up. I want to see what the roster looks like in the spring and training camp before I look at specific players.

 

[Husky68]

Run, run, pass, punt. Repeat. But the QB is young. But TE transferred. But starting WR's graduated. But need a new center. But need to get stronger. But need more leadership. But need better execution. But need to build a culture.

Luckily the coaching is all good for 2019.

 

[RSTuthill]

It will be more about showing progress than wins. Show significant progress on D (a must) and have legitimate high hopes for 2020.

The only measure of progress is number of wins. Full stop.

 

[RSTuthill]

I use the eye test- the O had moments where you said- that is a really good offense. But just like the D crumbled, the Offense would too. Pindell will go down as a great runner but not a great passer. Bottom line- it wasn't working with who was here. So, let's see what the new guys can do. The O line will finally be back to pre 2011 standards. We will have good RB's. Now it's up to the TE, WR and QB's to step up. I want to see what the roster looks like in the spring and training camp before I look at specific players.

I hear you, but it is often said that the most important player on an OL is the center, and that will be a new starter. And complicating that fact is that the QB will be new as well. That may require a learning curve before the O gets good.

 

[Nostical]

In addition to the obvious need for new talent to emerge at several vulnerable positions, the new QB needs to be a more vocal, take charge leader on the field. We haven't seen one of those since Casey Cochran.

 

[AndOne]

The only measure of progress is number of wins. Full stop.

Wait a minute. Playing close with an undefeated USF team didn't do it for you?

I am so proud of these kids

We're Going Bowling!

Jeff Jacobs: UConn must use effort against USF as a turning point

On a scale of 1 to 10, how close is Edsall’s team to cleaning up the little things that lead to big things like victories?

“50-50,” he answered.

That better be enough to beat UMass.

 

[RSTuthill]

Wait a minute. Playing close with an undefeated USF team didn't do it for you?

I am so proud of these kids

We're Going Bowling!

Jeff Jacobs: UConn must use effort against USF as a turning point

Get real. Learn to see things as they are, not how you want them to be. And remind yourself what happened after the USF game. But of course you are trolling me ....

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]