Positives from last night

[Husky pride]

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.

Totally agree in regard to the passing game. We seem at times to be so totally "play predictable". In the past, some teams, lacking a bundle of talent, made-up for it by using the element of surprise. Not sure I've seen that very often ...and the rare times, it's failed to be executed and backfired on us. Maybe we simply don't have the talent to pull it off...but somehow I feel the coaching is lacking. Finally, as much as I still have faith in Diaco, some of his post-game utterances remain, to put it mildly, weird!!

 

[weyuo]

1: Wain had some real nice punts well inside the 20 to around the 10 yard line.
2: Sherrifs is a warrior.
3: Ron Johnson looks faster than last year.
4: Tyler Davis is a player. He found a way onto the field and looks to be making the most of it. Good for him.

That's about it. The rest wasn't very pretty.

 

[Dooley]

By my count, we dialed up one blitz last night - the 3rd and long play before Maine attempted their FG in the 4Q. Guess what? It worked perfectly. The throw was a deep shot that was off by about 10 yards AND their QB finally had to pick himself up off the ground. Could've used more of that in sporadic moments throughout the game.

 

[ASweet3781]

Really the only main positive I take is that faced with the prospect of a crushing embarrassing loss after that fumble return for the TD put Maine up with 10 to go, they responded in the final 10 and did what they really should have done all game.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

One positive for Garrett Anderson is that he's almost certainly going to get a chance to play this year with the way Shirreffs is taking shots and running at the first hint of danger rather than looking down the field.

 

[Dove]

Don't forget the flaming drumline!!

 

[RioDog]

That was awsome!

 

[HuskyDevil]

Don't forget the flaming drumline!!

That was very cool...and the students went nuts for it...

 

[Excalibur]

By my count, we dialed up one blitz last night - the 3rd and long play before Maine attempted their FG in the 4Q. Guess what? It worked perfectly. The throw was a deep shot that was off by about 10 yards AND their QB finally had to pick himself up off the ground. Could've used more of that in sporadic moments throughout the game.

We rushed five twice on third down in the first half.

 

[Srqhusky]

By my count, we dialed up one blitz last night - the 3rd and long play before Maine attempted their FG in the 4Q. Guess what? It worked perfectly. The throw was a deep shot that was off by about 10 yards AND their QB finally had to pick himself up off the ground. Could've used more of that in sporadic moments throughout the game.

Agree. We play welcome to the jungle for no reason. There is no 3rd down blitz anymore

 

[Doggie Style]

Positives from last night :

LMFAO!

 

[UConn66]

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.

You've got to have time to throw. Sheriff's didn't.

 

[Bubba1957]

Biggest positive for me was Bobby Puyol. He not only drilled the winning field goal but two of his kickoffs were touchbacks. Great to have a kicker who takes the KO return game away. I think it is a huge weapon. Davis was ok.

 

[Stray_Dog]

Positives from last night :

...well we did win...so there is at least that! An ugly win is better than an ugly loss.

 

[uconnphil2016]

By my count, we dialed up one blitz last night - the 3rd and long play before Maine attempted their FG in the 4Q. Guess what? It worked perfectly. The throw was a deep shot that was off by about 10 yards AND their QB finally had to pick himself up off the ground. Could've used more of that in sporadic moments throughout the game.

Especially given the failures of our 3rd down defense...a couple more third down blitzes would have been nice

 

[RSTuthill]

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

The band sounded terrific. They were intense. I'd put them up against any band in the country.

Oh, and on a number of occasions someone pointed out either here or on another thread, the OL did open up big holes only to have them filled quickly by linebackers or a CB stacking the box. Either gotta hit the hole faster at the moment it forms or we need Anthony Sherman back to line up as a FB. But that is a thought. If UConn is gonna run so much, they need a blocking back in the backfield.

 

[Jimdish255]

1: Wain had some real nice punts well inside the 20 to around the 10 yard line.
2: Sherrifs is a warrior.
3: Ron Johnson looks faster than last year.
4: Tyler Davis is a player. He found a way onto the field and looks to be making the most of it. Good for him.

That's about it. The rest wasn't very pretty.

Going to agree with that and even though the game made me ill I felt like the OL had better drive than I remember from last year. They were inconsistent but appeared more athletic. Tough to block 9 in the box and we have a new guy learning the game but he'll improve.

There are tools to be a decent team but the coaches need to know how to use them. Right now that's a big no-dice.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I will say this.

UConn ran for 200 yards and had 3 rushing TD's.

Those outputs will result in many wins for this team. I just don't see how this team will get those ouptuts too many more times going forward this season.

 

[RioDog]

Insiders are claiming that the UCMB has already been unequivocally accepted into the Big 12, and will start appearing at random Big12 football games starting in Sept. 2017. Commissioner Bowlsby was heard to exclaim that "...the UCMB is exciting" and "wildly entertaining...and you can quote me on that." Sources also say that it has been rumored that Big12 leadership has not so subtly suggested that UConn could improve their position by turning over the football reigns to the music department.

 

[wethyhusky]

Positive: I went to a football game to support my alma mater. Had fun tailgating for a couple hours
Negatives: coaching, play calling, Thursday night when working on Friday, idiots in section 222 belligerent, swearing and total idiots (please dear god let them be free ticket people or I'm going to security next game). Yellow coats likely to support swearing idiots over 14 year ticket holder.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

With a clearer mind, we were 2 plays from winning this game by 3 TDs. We actually had a nice drive going before the fumble return. Say that doesn't happen and we punch it in its a 14 pt swing on our favor. There was also a horrible PI call right before Maines second TD.

I'm probably being optimistic and crazy but hey.

 

[wethyhusky]

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.

Totally agree with the quarterback comment. How in the hell do we get not get a QB who can sling the ball like a FCS player?

 

[wethyhusky]

With a clearer mind, we were 2 plays from winning this game by 3 TDs. We actually had a nice drive going before the fumble return. Say that doesn't happen and we punch it in its a 14 pt swing on our favor. There was also a horrible PI call right before Maines second TD.

I'm probably being optimistic and crazy but hey.

I like the optimism, and pray that Diaco is playing possum and making our opponents think he is an idiot who posts realignment garbage from WV

 

[Chin Diesel]

With a clearer mind, we were 2 plays from winning this game by 3 TDs. We actually had a nice drive going before the fumble return. Say that doesn't happen and we punch it in its a 14 pt swing on our favor. There was also a horrible PI call right before Maines second TD.

I'm probably being optimistic and crazy but hey.

I was going to post something similar to this. Take away the fumble and UConn wins by three scores minimum. My fear is that the coaches will call that same play again and have it result in a similar disaster.

Right now, I'm not a 1/2 full or 1/2 empty person. I'm just a guy who sees a glass that has 1/2 its available fluid.

My optimism for this season is down dramatically compared to 48 hours ago.

 

[psilotic]

Biggest positive for me was Bobby Puyol. He not only drilled the winning field goal but two of his kickoffs were touchbacks. Great to have a kicker who takes the KO return game away. I think it is a huge weapon. Davis was ok.

Understood this is a positives thread, and Puyol did have a good night. Wondering why the last kickoff wasn't squibbed, though.

 

[psilotic]

I will say this.

UConn ran for 200 yards and had 3 rushing TD's.

Those outputs will result in many wins for this team.

That was my thought exactly. And took care of the ball very well except for the one brain fart that turned into a Maine TD.

 

[RioDog]

Understood this is a positives thread, and Puyol did have a good night. Wondering why the last kickoff wasn't squibbed, though.

Was wondering the same thing.

 

[Excalibur]

Was wondering the same thing.

Kicking with wind, probably confident he could kick it through end zone.

 

[sub legacy]

Only positive I got is the surprising lack of penalties committed. That's all I got...

And the offense did at least demonstrate some level of competency in answering scores. So... there's... there's that, too... at least.

 

[SubbaBub]

1. There was a palpable atmosphere of appreciation for the fans in attendance. I know a few of you had LAZ issues, but hopefully that gets straightened out. I give the AD full marks for a lot of little things that made a big difference. The aggressive distribution of programs and cheer cards, the fan ambassadors, the $3 waters, the dairy bar truck all signs of a program that gives a darn that you have a good time.

2. The band had a lot of nice new wrinkles. Being mic'd so they can help lead the cheers I think will be big. The drumline show was a big hit, though the PA/TV timeout tripped up Sandstorm. They will need to figure that out. And we got to hear more band, less PA. I still have issues with the pregame show, but halftime was great.

3. The student section was full and stayed full until the 4th, though they started leaving before Sandstorm. Needs to stay that way and they need to get there earlier. I'm a bit out of practice, but they seemed a bit lubricated. If that is a byproduct of the school sponsored tailgate, that's great. I don't know if that is going to be a regular thing, but they could convert the idea by letting student groups have reserved tailgate spots. It would develop into a culture of its own.

4. As for the game, it's our sixth year in the desert. Thirst and mirages are the order of the day. What I saw looked a lot like last year's team. OL not good enough, Too much of the offense is BS scrambling and taking big hits. He left a lot of open guys on the outside when he decided to run. Overall, the O just looks slow to develop. From the time it takes the snap to get to the QB, the handoff, and the time it takes to get to the hole. Everything seems slow, except the time it takes the pocket to collaspe. That fumble was one of the worst cases of not knowing where you are that I have seen in a while. But, they played pretty mistake free if not exciting football. They did do better in the 2nd half and when there was a hole to run though, both backs made some good gains. Davis was a nice surprise, and Thomas needs to get the ball a lot more. He is our guy this year.

5. On D, others have mentioned the lack of push by the line. More concerning is the lack of ability by our LB to drop into a zone and cover. They were very static and Maine easily passed around them. Run D was pretty good for the most part, but it's Maine, so meets expectations is about a good a review as I can give on that. The safeties got beat on the deep ball but otherwise did OK. We need to address the gaping holes in the 7-12 yard range.

6. Special teams did great. Both kickers were solid throughout, the coverage and return teams while not spectacular made good decisions and played mistake free with no penalties. We will need to return punts at some point, but I didn't see any Thursday that were returnable as Maine kicker was short legged and there was little blocking up front. I'd like to see more blocking.

7. Diaco is going to have to trust his player a little more, this is what will sink his tenure here. You have a good kicker Bob, at least try to get a FG attempt with 30 seconds left in the half.