Preparing for a new, improved UConn football (Kidwai/Chamberlain Husky Football Forum Podcast) | Page 2 | The Boneyard

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

PlayItLeo said:
Reading that preview, I'm glad someone else shares my optimism. The influx of talent (meaning live snap experience) from the transfer portal combined with a lighter schedule should translate to wins this year. In a perfect scenario (emphasis on perfect), I can see 8 wins. More likely, I'm expecting 6, but I think anything under that would be a disappointment. There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to earn bowl eligibility from a home slate that includes Merrimack, Rice, FAU, Temple, Buffalo, Georgia State, and then @UMass. I could also see the potential to upset Wake Forest at home, reminiscent of 2022's win vs. BC or the 2015 win vs. Houston. Point is: this schedule lacks some big brand name opponents, but I'd rather have wins that will ultimately get butts in seats and revive interest in the program rather than getting our teeth kicked in at Michigan...
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I generally agree with you. Outside of injuries, the biggest concern that I have is the same one we have every year. Do we have a quarterback that is at least as good as the other team's quarterback? Our quarterback room is devoid of very many FBS football snaps. Other than Fagnano, the entire rest of the group has taken one snap. ( actually I think Tucker McDonald took a couple snaps the end of the Umass game ). I would love to watch a few summer practices or talk to someone who has real inside information as to how the quarterback competition is shaping up once the summer season starts. Although I am cautiously optimistic that Nick Evers will be an upgrade, I am not convinced that a transfer from a better program than Uconn who has thrown only one pass in his college career is necessarily going to be our starter. Nevertheless, our trip to the Duke game is in the works along with the two final road games. Lets hope we find our quarterback and are bowling this year.
 
cohenzone said:
Ok. The line play, the receivers at Maine are the same as at UConn As I said, he might not be the one, not arguing that he is. , but the useful sample size is virtually non existent .
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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.
 
Husky68 said:
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.
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So you have seen him play with better receivers and a better line than he (or any UConn QB) would hopefully would have compared to Maine. Ok. He might not play a snap. If he is the starter because the coaches think he is the guy, hopefully it isn’t because the others can’t cut it but because they think his Maine days are irrelevant and they think he can do the job. Let them make the call.
 
cohenzone said:
So you have seen him play with better receivers and a better line than he (or any UConn QB) would hopefully would have compared to Maine. Ok. He might not play a snap. If he is the starter because the coaches think he is the guy, hopefully it isn’t because the others can’t cut it but because they think his Maine days are irrelevant and they think he can do the job. Let them make the call.
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We need someone new. Not the ghost of Nick Charlton at QB
 
I want 300 yards passing and 300 yards rushing. Whatever combination of players that can deliver that, game after game, is who I want on the field. I really do not care beforehand who they are. ;)
 
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RSTuthill said:
I want 300 yards passing and 300 yards rushing. Whatever combination of players that can deliver that, game after game, is who I want on the field. I really do not care beforehand who they are. ;)
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I think you need realistic expectations. 400 yards total offense would put you in top 50 teams in the FBS.
 
RSTuthill said:
I want 300 yards passing and 300 yards rushing. Whatever combination of players that can deliver that, game after game, is who I want on the field. I really do not care beforehand who they are. ;)
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300 rushing yards and 300 passing yards? I imagine this is a one game number, and I believe it is your preferred per game average.

Perhaps if we did a superb job of building out our offense we could pull this off, but 300 rushing yards (a quality goal, well, fir everyone except TDHusky) would burn a good amount of clock, limiting passing attempts, making it difficult to pull both off.

I would be very happy (thrilled in fact) with 175 rushing and 275 passing as a per game average. We could do very well with that production.
 
If we can catch Maryland off guard like we did NC State in the opener last year (until it all fell apart) you never know what could happen.

They’re breaking in a new QB, the transfer from NC state that didn’t play until halfway through the season but was solid.

Maryland is predicted to finish in the bottom of the Big 10 and although they didn’t lose a ton in the transfer portal they did lose some key players and only brought 8 (6 three stars) compared to UConns 24 (20 three stars).

Of course UConn needed a complete revamp of their roster compared to Maryland but this isn’t Michigan or Tennessee we’re playing.
 
Suggsky said:
If we can catch Maryland off guard like we did NC State in the opener last year (until it all fell apart) you never know what could happen.

They’re breaking in a new QB, the transfer from NC state that didn’t play until halfway through the season but was solid.

Maryland is predicted to finish in the bottom of the Big 10 and although they didn’t lose a ton in the transfer portal they did lose some key players and only brought 8 (6 three stars) compared to UConns 24 (20 three stars).

Of course UConn needed a complete revamp of their roster compared to Maryland but this isn’t Michigan or Tennessee we’re playing.
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Where do you find Maryland to be predicted to finish in the bottom of the Big 10. The predictions I have seen place the Terps 10th to 12th in an eighteen team league. That is not close to the bottom. Look at the teams expected to fall below Maryland and tell me which of those teams we would be expected to beat. Maryland is arguably the best team we will play this fall.
 
Windham4th said:
We need someone new. Not the ghost of Nick Charlton at QB
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A new OC has no allegiances to Charlton. If Fagnano gives us the best chance to win, who cares who brought him in.

All this Fagnano hate is odd. Tell me a more beautiful drive than the first one vs NC State last year? He got crushed on the 2nd drive, played hurt until he got injured for the season a game later.

Most coaches will tell you they have to evaluate a player in their system to see what the issues were. Even RE said that!!!

Finally, none of the those looking to deep 6 Fagnano have ever had a 2nd shot at anything at life, right?
 
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FfldCntyFan said:
300 rushing yards and 300 passing yards? I imagine this is a one game number, and I believe it is your preferred per game average.

Perhaps if we did a superb job of building out our offense we could pull this off, but 300 rushing yards (a quality goal, well, fir everyone except TDHusky) would burn a good amount of clock, limiting passing attempts, making it difficult to pull both off.

I would be very happy (thrilled in fact) with 175 rushing and 275 passing as a per game average. We could do very well with that production.
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Are you implying that this goal would require some long gainers via the passing attack? Yes, I want that. ;)
 
LIUCHusky said:
Where do you find Maryland to be predicted to finish in the bottom of the Big 10. The predictions I have seen place the Terps 10th to 12th in an eighteen team league. That is not close to the bottom. Look at the teams expected to fall below Maryland and tell me which of those teams we would be expected to beat. Maryland is arguably the best team we will play this fall.
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Athlon has them #11. They’re most likely the best team we will play this fall with our schedule. But they are no Michigan or Tennessee, I don’t expect to get blown out 56-0.
 
Regarding Fagnano, I'm in the "give the guy a chance" camp. Hoping that he is good, but can't see the field because Evers lights it up, and Welliver develops quickly. Looking forward to Maryland!!
 
One thing we know. With Charlton gone, there’ll be no favoritism towards Fagnano. Mora needs to win right away. Thus, if Fagnano takes the field first, I won’t be
expecting big things from either Evers or Welliver this year. My hope (and my hunch) is it’s one of those two who starts, and our new OC has created an offense to best match his talents. Can’t wait for the Maryland game to watch it all play out.
 
hardcorehusky said:
A new OC has no allegiances to Charlton. If Fagnano gives us the best chance to win, who cares who brought him in.

All this Fagnano hate is odd. Tell me a more beautiful drive than the first one vs NC State last year? He got crushed on the 2nd drive, played hurt until he got injured for the season a game later.

Most coaches will tell you they have to evaluate a player in their system to see what the issues were. Even RE said that!!!

Finally, none of the those looking to deep 6 Fagnano have ever had a 2nd shot at anything at life, right?
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If you look at Fagnano’s results, over his time at Maine he was pretty ordinary. People make a big deal over one game against BC but ignore the fact that he threw for under 100 against New Mexico in his othe FBS game. I think he is fine as a backup. But as the starter I don’t see it.
 
Nostical said:
One thing we know. With Charlton gone, there’ll be no favoritism towards Fagnano. Mora needs to win right away. Thus, if Fagnano takes the field first, I won’t be
expecting big things from either Evers or Welliver this year. My hope (and my hunch) is it’s one of those two who starts, and our new OC has created an offense to best match his talents. Can’t wait for the Maryland game to watch it all play out.
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Welliver could start over Evers. Evers has thrown 1 pass in a game situation since he got to college. He has the physical tools but playing quarterback is mostly mental. He has not shown he can make quick decisions in game situations. If Evers starts expect a lot of running over throwing.
 
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I'm sure Fagnano is a great guy, but with Evers and Cole coming in, I don't see how he starts.
 
freescooter said:
If you look at Fagnano’s results, over his time at Maine he was pretty ordinary. People make a big deal over one game against BC but ignore the fact that he threw for under 100 against New Mexico in his othe FBS game. I think he is fine as a backup. But as the starter I don’t see it.
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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.
 
RSTuthill said:
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.
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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.
 
RSTuthill said:
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.
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Or a coaching staff which was willing to be decisive and make the decision early on in fall camp.
 
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Chin Diesel said:
Or a coaching staff which was willing to be decisive and make the decision early on in fall camp.
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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.
 
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
 
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.
 
huskidork said:
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.
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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.
 
Forte said:
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
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Yes, I believe 30 days before the first game.
 
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.
 
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