Positives from last night

[PRHusky]

Last night feels like a horrible nightmare. That said, we did win and there were a number of positives. Here are a few:

1. Shireffs; one tough SOB

2. Special teams

3. Tyler Davis

4. Concerted effort to get Noel the ball, something rarely done with him or Geremy previous two years

5. Run defense

6. Student section

7. Game tying and winning drives with under 10 mins left

8. Ron looked better than at any point last season

That is about it, which is sad, but I think there has been a lot of overreaction here. We really were trying not to put anything on film for Navy and I truly think Maine was a lot better than the coaches thought they would be. A win next week at Annapolis and it is all forgiven.

 

[Excalibur]

Last night feels like a horrible nightmare. That said, we did win and there were a number of positives. Here are a few:

1. Shireffs; one tough SOB

2. Special teams

3. Tyler Davis

4. Concerted effort to get Noel the ball, something rarely done with him or Geremy previous two years

5. Run defense

6. Student section

7. Game tying and winning drives with under 10 mins left

8. Ron looked better than at any point last season

That is about it, which is sad, but I think there has been a lot of overreaction here. We really were trying not to put anything on film for Navy and I truly think Maine was a lot better than the coaches thought they would be. A win next week at Annapolis and it is all forgiven.

1 is not a positive -- that he had to nearly kill himself so we could eke out a last second win vs. Maine is troubling. Plus if he makes that throw to a wide open Thomas in the 2nd quarter we probably win comfortably.

2 agree and not as concerned about punt returns as others and I'm guessing returns will be down even more across college football this year

3 was going to post that he was a bright spot and looks to have some ability at that position

4 -- Meh. Thomas should be open against them.

5 defense did its job against the run and physically dominated a smaller unit.

6 - they generally show up well for the first game but it looks like Benedict's efforts here may pay off

7 - happy that they didn't gag on themselves when the pressure ratcheted up, but Maine's D was gassed at that point

8 - Johnson had holes to run through in the second half. I doubt he'll get much of that against better defenses.


I don't think there is overreaction at all. Nobody is defined by one lousy game but there were a lot of discouraging signs last night. Probably the most discouraging game of the Diaco era.

 

[CTBasketball]

I want to convince myself we were hiding our playbook, but yet again the playbook doesn't matter when the offensive line is so horrible.

 

[CTMike]

Positives from last night :

 

[Marty Jackson]

1 is not a positive -- that he had to nearly kill himself so we could eke out a last second win vs. Maine is troubling. Plus if he makes that throw to a wide open Thomas in the 2nd quarter we probably win comfortably.

2 agree and not as concerned about punt returns as others and I'm guessing returns will be down even more across college football this year

3 was going to post that he was a bright spot and looks to have some ability at that position

4 -- Meh. Thomas should be open against them.

5 defense did its job against the run and physically dominated a smaller unit.

6 - they generally show up well for the first game but it looks like Benedict's efforts here may pay off

7 - happy that they didn't gag on themselves when the pressure ratcheted up, but Maine's D was gassed at that point

8 - Johnson had holes to run through in the second half. I doubt he'll get much of that against better defenses.


I don't think there is overreaction at all. Nobody is defined by one lousy game but there were a lot of discouraging signs last night. Probably the most discouraging game of the Diaco era.

there are about 25 different posts about everything wrong and how the duck**ing sky is falling because they didn't dominate, didn't run the correct plays, didn't win like they were supposed to, didn't cheer loud enough or the actually cheered the wrong cheers, fan's didn't show up on time, and anything else people want to complain about.

THE ONE positive thread, just one, and you snuff it out like a big ol' wet blanket.
Thanks.

 

[Exit 4]

Positives from last night :

lol

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

I thought Myers' catch and run was great. So that's one positive.

 

[Adios]

We do have some hardcore fans. We're not Kansas. Our potential is far greater than being like Kansas. Need the right coach.

Warde should have hired an offensive-minded coach.

 

[HomeKing93]

The fried dough was delicious.

 

[Chin Diesel]

OLine with zero holds or false starts.

Obvious joke that you can't hold if you are getting blown by, but it was a positive.

Another positive was the staff adjusting personnel. They started using Davis and Johnson much more throughout the game and they opened things up.

I'm not as concerned as others about the defense. I thought they played the scheme well (Except for the safeties who got destroyed all night). This is a bend but don't break D. Rarely do more than 4 rush and usually the pass coverage is soft. You can debate the scheme but players generally played it well.

 

[BugsyCT]

We won. That's a positive. A loss and this would have been like Towson all over again - maybe worse considering the expectations and the looming B12 expansion. But that doesn't hide the fact that last night was one giant crapfest. Let's be real - to have that much trouble with a FCS team that was 3-8 last year is inexcusable.

What is it about this football program and the forward pass? Are they allergic to it? Do they not understand the concept? What do they do all offseason ? Shirreffs is lucky he didn't sustain another concussion on his end zone run - he's a tough kid, but at this rate he'll be lucky if he finishes the season. If he takes off & runs every other play, he won't.

Still spent from yesterday. Mini-rant over. Beat Navy next week and many of us will feel better.

 

[warbler1055]

The one positive for me was the band was enthusiastic and played with intensity!!!!

 

[UConnFranklin]

Obi has experience at safety but that's it. No other experience. When you have one weak link back there it impacts the entire defensive backfield. It's going to take time to develop synchronicity.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Another positive-

Mayala did a great job blocking on the WR screens to Thomas. He does a very good job of squaring up the defender and driving on his blocks. Maybe he can pack on another 90lbs and be an OLinemen since the staff doesn't call plays to him.

 

[Srqhusky]

Was anyone else expecting a pic of the ice cream truck

 

[UConnNick]

I want to convince myself we were hiding our playbook, but yet again the playbook doesn't matter when the offensive line is so horrible.

You don't risk an unimaginable loss to a mediocre I-AA opponent just to "hide" your full playbook arsenal from future opponents. We came damn close to losing a game we should have won comfortably vs. an overmatched opponent.

 

[BlueandOG]

1. We won. The season would be in shambles with a loss. Soon enough, people will forget the details and remember the W.
2. I really liked the drum line with the fire. That was pretty cool.
3. Special teams played great.
4. Johnson had some really good runs. Lived up to his billing as "thunder".
5. Students were great for most of the game. The rest of the place felt ready to erupt if given a reason.
6. Gorgeous night for football. Great way to spend the end of the week before Labor Day.

 

[noeynox]

Rather than start a new thread, I'll toss this in here.

Upon further review that wasn't as bad as previously thought.

The end of the first half saw Noel Thomas have an uncharacteristic drop followed by a missed throw by Shirrefs by Thomas. If just one of those was completed we would have gotten more points before the half, at least a FG attempt.

The line did create some nice pockets. Bryant was a little quick to take off a few other times but looks like it is just part of his game and we will have to live with it as he churns out yards. The once concern with that is too many hits.

Maine did a nice job disguising their blitzes. The hit that forced the fumble was a delayed CB blitz. They ran the same play from the other side with the same player and Bryant did a little spin move to elude it and made a short completion to RonJon I believe.

The lack of pass rush. Maine designed almost exclusively a quick passing game. That QB just got rid of the ball 1-3 seconds it seems like. There were a couple of exceptions like their play action TD pass to #8. It was well designed and perfectly executed.

My biggest concern is the play of the safeties including Obi. Adams not being there will be felt unless things improve quickly. I really think he was the leader of the secondary and his loss is probably the biggest to overcome. Diggs made some nice plays but he also seemed lost in coverage and looks like something that teams may look to exploit.

I believe offensively they will be fine, once they use the passing to loosen up the box, I think our run game will be much better. Even with Maine stacking the box there were some nice lanes for the RBs. The RonJon TD where Hopkins got hurt, Levy pulled nicely and got the block that sprung the long TD run. Unfortunately Levy came down on the back of Hopkins leg. Anyone know how serious he is hurt?

I think we are all OVERREACTING because of the looming conference realignment. In past years I don't think we bounce back from a strip fumble 80+yd TD return midway through the 4th quarter, and yes I know it was FCS Maine.

The Maine QB was good. I'm always baffled how we cant get guys that can execute at that level. He wasn't an all american/NFL QB but probably better than anyone we've had as a pure passer other than Cocharan and maybe Lagow?

Tyler Davis looks like he will cause some mismatches for teams. Did alligator arm one over the middle though.

Were 1-0, and in a few weeks I believe this game will be a distant memory in how bad it felt to watch live. Bryant made some nice thrpws on the run the last drive.

 

[Husky92]

Rather than start a new thread, I'll toss this in here.

Upon further review that wasn't as bad as previously thought.

The end of the first half saw Noel Thomas have an uncharacteristic drop followed by a missed throw by Shirrefs by Thomas. If just one of those was completed we would have gotten more points before the half, at least a FG attempt.

The line did create some nice pockets. Bryant was a little quick to take off a few other times but looks like it is just part of his game and we will have to live with it as he churns out yards. The once concern with that is too many hits.

Maine did a nice job disguising their blitzes. The hit that forced the fumble was a delayed CB blitz. They ran the same play from the other side with the same player and Bryant did a little spin move to elude it and made a short completion to RonJon I believe.

The lack of pass rush. Maine designed almost exclusively a quick passing game. That QB just got rid of the ball 1-3 seconds it seems like. There were a couple of exceptions like their play action TD pass to #8. It was well designed and perfectly executed.

My biggest concern is the play of the safeties including Obi. Adams not being there will be felt unless things improve quickly. I really think he was the leader of the secondary and his loss is probably the biggest to overcome. Diggs made some nice plays but he also seemed lost in coverage and looks like something that teams may look to exploit.

I believe offensively they will be fine, once they use the passing to loosen up the box, I think our run game will be much better. Even with Maine stacking the box there were some nice lanes for the RBs. The RonJon TD where Hopkins got hurt, Levy pulled nicely and got the block that sprung the long TD run. Unfortunately Levy came down on the back of Hopkins leg. Anyone know how serious he is hurt?

I think we are all OVERREACTING because of the looming conference realignment. In past years I don't think we bounce back from a strip fumble 80+yd TD return midway through the 4th quarter, and yes I know it was FCS Maine.

The Maine QB was good. I'm always baffled how we cant get guys that can execute at that level. He wasn't an all american/NFL QB but probably better than anyone we've had as a pure passer other than Cocharan and maybe Lagow?

Tyler Davis looks like he will cause some mismatches for teams. Did alligator arm one over the middle though.

Were 1-0, and in a few weeks I believe this game will be a distant memory in how bad it felt to watch live. Bryant made some nice thrpws on the run the last drive.

Couldn't agree more! Spot on.

 

[Exit 4]

Upon further review that wasn't as bad as previously thought.

I hope when I rewatch the game I come to the same conclusion. I fear I will see what I saw the first time; a UConn team that is physically bigger then in the past but also a step slower.

 

[Dove]

Don't forget the flaming drumline!!

 

[rich1122]

We ran the ball 70 times. Wow!!

 

[Huskygrad88]

1 is not a positive -- that he had to nearly kill himself so we could eke out a last second win vs. Maine is troubling. Plus if he makes that throw to a wide open Thomas in the 2nd quarter we probably win comfortably.

2 agree and not as concerned about punt returns as others and I'm guessing returns will be down even more across college football this year

3 was going to post that he was a bright spot and looks to have some ability at that position

4 -- Meh. Thomas should be open against them.

5 defense did its job against the run and physically dominated a smaller unit.

6 - they generally show up well for the first game but it looks like Benedict's efforts here may pay off

7 - happy that they didn't gag on themselves when the pressure ratcheted up, but Maine's D was gassed at that point

8 - Johnson had holes to run through in the second half. I doubt he'll get much of that against better defenses.


I don't think there is overreaction at all. Nobody is defined by one lousy game but there were a lot of discouraging signs last night. Probably the most discouraging game of the Diaco era.

Most discouraging...you have to start paying attention. Did you miss the 7-3 barn burner against Tulane, the 14-7 "let's punt our way to victory" loss against USF, or the HOME loss to the WINLESS SMU bunch? Heck this is the fourth most points we've scored under Diaco (in 26 games). If it were not for the sieve known as UCF, this would be the second most points ever scored. Heck this game is reason for celebration of our new high speed offense.

 

[noeynox]

I hope when I rewatch the game I come to the same conclusion. I fear I will see what I saw the first time; a UConn team that is physically bigger then in the past but also a step slower.

Look at the pockets the OL formed. Also on some of the successful runs we blew their DL completely off the ball especially the short TD runs by Arkeel and RonJon. As we should have no doubt. Watching that live felt worse. Maine's quick hit passing game was on the money aided by the fact that the safeties did not have a good game. All of them. The PI on John Green seemed bogus and extended a drive for them.

One other thing Mike Myers had a good game. On consecutive plays he made a stop at the line of scrimmage and chased down a receiver on an inside screen. Not to mention the FG block. Big Boy can move.

 

[CTMike]

Couldn't pay me enough to watch that again. Lock it up and throw away the key.