Preparing for a new, improved UConn football (Kidwai/Chamberlain Husky Football Forum Podcast)

[CJasmer]

You are likely correct. What I want to see more than anything else, however, is the starter named well in advance of game week. That would indicate a clear winner in the competition, something we have not seen in quite awhile. And if that happened to be Fagnano, that would be a disappointment knowing the other candidates available.

Trust Mora and the staff will select the QB that gives UConn best chance to win. None of us are at practice so you need to trust the coaches.

 

[Jimdish255]

I'm sure Fagnano is a great guy, but with Evers and Cole coming in, I don't see how he starts.

Especially with them being 2 and 3 behind Tucker McDonald.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Especially with them being 2 and 3 behind Tucker McDonald.

Seems everybody has Evers as the starter like Ourlads. Storrs Central does have Tucker as the backup though.

 

[Chin Diesel]

You are likely correct. What I want to see more than anything else, however, is the starter named well in advance of game week. That would indicate a clear winner in the competition, something we have not seen in quite awhile. And if that happened to be Fagnano, that would be a disappointment knowing the other candidates available.

Or a coaching staff which was willing to be decisive and make the decision early on in fall camp.

 

[RSTuthill]

Or a coaching staff which was willing to be decisive and make the decision early on in fall camp.

Any way you cut it, there isn't much game video of any of them floating around, so that excuse is not gonna cut it.

 

[Forte]

When do players report to practice ...is it August 1st? This is the most excited I've been about hearing what comes out of preseason practice in years. Really hoping it gets some coverage

 

[huskidork]

I don't think Fagnano gets it over Evers, I don't trust Fagnano much but I understand if you want a veteran with actual in game experience to take over.

 

[CJasmer]

I don't think Fagnano gets it over Evers, I don't trust Fagnano much but I understand if you want a veteran with actual in game experience to take over.

I think game experience matters. Fagnano may start the Maryland came with Evers getting lots of reps. Perhaps Evers running more than throwing in the game. Giving Evers easy passes to complete - screens and dump passes to running backs to build his confidence. The worst thing that could happen is if Evers has a bad game and loses confidence.

 

[Hamms30]

When do players report to practice ...is it August 1st? This is the most excited I've been about hearing what comes out of preseason practice in years. Really hoping it gets some coverage

Yes, I believe 30 days before the first game.

 

[RSTuthill]

Guessing that it is likely at this early juncture that Evers starts. But that could easily change.

Regarding Fagnaro, we all remember that opening scoring drive against NCST. And we all said, WOW, we'll take some more of that, thank you very much. Especially that third down bullet for completion and a first down into double coverage.

But we never got any more of that with the suddenly overly cautious play calling by the OC. So I am not totally convinced that we have a full data set on Fagnaro that would enable us to make a definitive eval on him.

Which is a long way of saying, lets just see how this plays out.

 

[freescooter]

Or a coaching staff which was willing to be decisive and make the decision early on in fall camp.

Well sometimes coaches just like to play coy on the starter. When Dan Orlovsky was a senior, Edsall said something like there was competition for every job. Someone asked about quarterback and he replied Every job. I’ve seen it with others too. Everyone knows who the starter is. Everyone on the team knows. I don’t know if it is gamesmanship, trying to make sure the #1 doesn’t slack off or what. But it is pretty common not to “officially” name a guy until camp ends.

 

[JohnFSilver]

If you are an average or below FCS QB with double figure starts its enough sample size to show you are not a FBS starting QB that is going to be a difference maker. He attempted 365 passes in 2022 with passing efficiency rating of 119.2 (#82) out of 102 FCS QB's rated.
If you are a FBS capable QB you should excel at FCS level, he did not. He has thrown over 750 passes over 5 years of college playing, plenty big enough sample size. As a comparison, Zach Frazer attempted only 562 passes in his entire UConn career.

Just win games.

Whoever starts has to win games. I don’t care. No playing for the future (nonsense). Win games.

 

[freescooter]

Just win games.

Whoever starts has to win games. I don’t care. No playing for the future (nonsense). Win games.

I agree with this. And I think Mora does too. I get the sense that he was very frustrated last year and maybe even a little embarrassed. Especially with the offense.

 

[AllHusky]

"Just win baby"

 

[CJasmer]

"Just win baby"

Hopefully the Raider team from early 1980’s and not the current one.