Rice post game thread

[uconnyankee]

This is all mostly true. I feel like the program is still in the long corner though. Like trying to turn around an aircraft carrier. Jim Mora has absolutely done a great job improving the program. I feel like UConn should be at the level of the top half of every G5 conference to be considered having turned the corner, but it's not there yet. Delaware, FIU, Ball St, Buffalo are in the middle of their conferences but it's CUSA and the MAC. Rice is the bottom half of the AC with FAU and UAB. Air Force is the bottom of the MWC. Beating the rest of these teams helps but losing to them is going to be a problem. UAB can certainly beat UConn. This loss to Rice is going to knock UConn down hard in the rankings. As the only non-power independent, big picture, we probably can't expect too much more. I really believe UConn's destiny is G5 until the ACC implodes.

That’s pretty much the reality. Although it’s not far off. 2030 isn’t that far off.
UConn is getting it together at the right time. I agree there is zero reason why UConn can’t be the top dog in G5. Everything is in place now.

I’m hopeful Mora can start really getting some traction with players wanting to come here / stay after last season and this (I think we get 9 wins). The continuity and development will hopefully lead to more on field success.

 

[uconnyankee]

All will be fine for the gatekeepers like yourself who like to treat the program like a toddler heading off to the bus stop for the first time and say all will be well when they get an F on their report card.

You want to normalize losing games to bad teams when you are a double digit favorite. Almost every team on this schedule outside of Duke is a BAD football team. We are watching bad games vs bad teams where the winner is the team that does just a little less bad stuff. And people like you want accepting that standard to be normalized.

This!
Either people don’t realize how bad UConn football was, or they don’t realize how hard it is to change a culture and rebuild a program in FBS.
I’m curious what your solution is. Schedule all P4 programs? Dump Mora, dump Benedict? Just go join ACC or Big 12?
You throw out this term gatekeeper. Whatever that means. And then whine about things nobody can control because they support the program. Do you propose people not follow the program?

I’m not suggesting this wasn’t a bad loss. I just don’t know what you little chicken little’s propose people do other than get ready for next game and keep supporting the team.

 

[uconnyankee]

Build a team on the field that is a top 10 G5 team. This requires knowing how to navigate the portal effectively and being willingly to spend the necessary money. Something we clearly didn’t do when putting the defense together this year. Win games you are supposed to win. Beat bad teams. Stop normalizing losing to them and call it for what it is.

Let’s start there.

This is laughable! Your solution to how UConn can improve is to build a better team???? This after calling people gatekeepers and head patters????
Oh, and you add win games! Brilliant…

What does normalizing a loss look like actually? You have all the answers so far. Let us know so we gatekeepers and head patters can be better prepared when you have a meltdown after the next tough loss.

 

[Hoophound]

I’m disappointed with the losses this season but we had a massive experiment on D coming in. We now see that we are young and undermanned. Last season was a huge step in the right direction.

This season is disappointing, but I understand why we are in this position. I don’t think there is any reason to sound the alarm on Mora. I do think we need more help on D and we also need to find replacements for Joe and Skylar. That’s a lot of yards and points leaving.

 

[RitzLuce1]

I’m disappointed with the losses this season but we had a massive experiment on D coming in. We now see that we are young and undermanned. Last season was a huge step in the right direction.

This season is disappointing, but I understand why we are in this position. I don’t think there is any reason to sound the alarm on Mora. I do think we need more help on D and we also need to find replacements for Joe and Skylar. That’s a lot of yards and points leaving.

If losing 3 overtime games (it’s nearly impossible to lose all 3) doesn’t warrant “sound the alarm” should it at the very least raise some eye brows? Lead to some questions?

It also seems your solution to improve is to build a better team this off season. I agree with that.

 

[Mora4Prez]

… and Delaware.

For me, im tired of watching a mediocre G5 team. Yes we’re better, but we play a schedule designed to win 9 games and show B12 we could be competitive at that level. Can you imagine the TX schools trying to be persuaded a team that lost to rice deserves a slot?

I see no path back to the early part of this century. We played a P6 schedule and played well. Now we celebrate beating a bad BC team or a ball state or FIU - bad G5 teams. Now, P4 teams have to run sprints if we keep it close.

Is there any pride left in the administration or are we going to be forced to be happy with this level of performance - which would be unacceptable for every other sport there.

Exhausted and exasperated.

Just like on the field, the program needs to make consistent forward progress. We as fans - who have supported this program for years - should be able to

This!
Either people don’t realize how bad UConn football was, or they don’t realize how hard it is to change a culture and rebuild a program in FBS.
I’m curious what your solution is. Schedule all P4 programs? Dump Mora, dump Benedict? Just go join ACC or Big 12?
You throw out this term gatekeeper. Whatever that means. And then whine about things nobody can control because they support the program. Do you propose people not follow the program?

I’m not suggesting this wasn’t a bad loss. I just don’t know what you little chicken little’s propose people do other than get ready for next game and keep supporting the team.

To be fair, 4 years is a long time. I’m not suggesting we’re in the exact same boat but

This!
Either people don’t realize how bad UConn football was, or they don’t realize how hard it is to change a culture and rebuild a program in FBS.
I’m curious what your solution is. Schedule all P4 programs? Dump Mora, dump Benedict? Just go join ACC or Big 12?
You throw out this term gatekeeper. Whatever that means. And then whine about things nobody can control because they support the program. Do you propose people not follow the program?

I’m not suggesting this wasn’t a bad loss. I just don’t know what you little chicken little’s propose people do other than get ready for next game and keep supporting the team.

I mean for one I’d suggest AD Dave go down and tell Mora these losses aren’t acceptable and that he needs to find a new DC. That would be a start.

 

[JwittersPAC]

Call it whatever you want, UConn’s NIL is on par with the rest of the G5 or the top end of the G5.

Reading reports the top G5 programs for NIL/Revenue Share are USF, Oregon State, Boise State, Memphis State and Tulane. If UConn NIL is at $2.5 million, I would think it would put them in the Top 6 or 7 of the G5 teams.

 

[JwittersPAC]

That’s pretty much the reality. Although it’s not far off. 2030 isn’t that far off.
UConn is getting it together at the right time. I agree there is zero reason why UConn can’t be the top dog in G5. Everything is in place now.

I’m hopeful Mora can start really getting some traction with players wanting to come here / stay after last season and this (I think we get 9 wins). The continuity and development will hopefully lead to more on field success.

So you have us beating Duke?

 

[CTBasketball]

Brock’s defense was stout last year, we also spent less money on our defense last year.

We missed in the portal. Unfortunately, Vegas was right this is a 7-8 win team.

 

[UCONNRPh]

I think that signing and evaluating talent is one of Mora's superpowers. He's clearly comfortable in that process..

As for this season's defense? We lost a bunch of stud DLs to graduation and the portal and the guys we brought it weren't as good. Nobody stepped up to lead either. Basically we replaced good with worse. This will happen with the portal, it's not exact science and while we have a decent NIL budget we don't have the funds for can't miss type recruits.

Having said all that, better decision making on gameday would have delivered victory in every single loss this season. And at $2.5M a year we should get a coach who can win close games against programs that have much smaller budgets than us.

Is that 2.5M now and then the revshare 3M=5.5M???

or is it just the 2,5M ?????

 

[JwittersPAC]

Is that 2.5M now and then the revshare 3M=5.5M???

or is it just the 2,5M ?????

I cannot find any specifics. In fact it is hard to find any information on any college football team.

 

[storrsroars]

Is that 2.5M now and then the revshare 3M=5.5M???

or is it just the 2,5M ?????

I don't have 2025 figures, but assuming raises from last year, Sammis is probably around $370K and Brock $270K.

That would put Sammis at the bottom of the AAC and Brock in the middle of the Sun Belt as far as compensation.

Charlton was paid competitively for our status.

That's not the question you asked, but IMHO, Mora delegates lots of decisions to those two so all three need to be better.

 

[ZooCougar]

Is that 2.5M now and then the revshare 3M=5.5M???

or is it just the 2,5M ?????

That’s what we pay Mora.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Getting elite defensive players linemen, linebackers, safeties, and cornerbacks cost significant NIL. Mora needs to find diamonds in the rough via his coaches evaluation process. Unfortunately, he struck out this year. The other way is to build up the foundation of the team through high school recruiting. Unfortunately, the team was so bad prior to Mora arriving that it will take time for the better recruits to consider coming to UConn.

Hate to say it but this is right.

Almost every offensive and defensive unit needs to be rebuilt every year. The surefire transfer portal players are out of UConn's reach.
The staff whiffed big time on D Linemen this year.
It's always a possibility but a low probability you whiff on an entire position group.

I hope there have been hard conversations with those who vouched for grabbing these players and changes will be made to next year's evaluation process.

 

[coachcap]

I am beyond disappointed in yesterday's loss, but here are some facts:
1. It's obvious that Cam isn't 100% healthy & Mel has been out due to injury. The coaching staff has to use the rbs to the best of their abilities. Cam runs best off tackle, not doing sweeps, especially once the heavens open up & the contest is being played in a downpour as was the case in the 2nd half. Sammis & Co. should have told the o-linemen to tee off & blow open holes. Since the open date it seems like the linemen are great at pass protection, but have regressed in run blocking.
2. If Cam is so dinged that he can't run as effectively as earlier in the season, it's next man up.
3. This season hasn't lived up to expectations, but 5-3 with the 3 losses going to OT is miles ahead of the performances pre-HCJM.

 

[uconnyankee]

Just like on the field, the program needs to make consistent forward progress. We as fans - who have supported this program for years - should be able to


To be fair, 4 years is a long time. I’m not suggesting we’re in the exact same boat but

I mean for one I’d suggest AD Dave go down and tell Mora these losses aren’t acceptable and that he needs to find a new DC. That would be a start.

I don’t know. Maybe. I’m sure Mora is talking with his DC. Not sure what DB adding more pressure will do. It’s not like we’re paying these guys top dollar so whoever comes in is likely another young up and coming DC.

 

[uconnyankee]

So you have us beating Duke?

I would love to see it.
Not sure I’d bet on it, but I’ll see what the line is first.

I think there are 4 more victories including a bowl game.

 

[Woof 101]

I hope there have been hard conversations with those who vouched for grabbing these players and changes will be made to next year's evaluation process.

No attack @Chin Diesel but many who think this do not realize the players in the portal may be offered and get to pick and chose.
UConn has no conference money or championship to offer. Only a bowl game if some team turns it down.
JM and the staff have the toughest job in college football recruiting in MHO.
I love the loyalty of the fans on this forum but it must be realized the biggest battle we face is not on the field of play. It's that of being odd man out recruiting and coaching up the best of the rest.
It should also be realized it is Mora that got a few big donors to buy in and keep a couple of key players of staying here.

Very tough loss for sure but our win over UAB will have everyone off the ledge and bowl talking again. ; )

 

[Viet Vet]

Mora has brought us from the outhouse to indoors. We’d all like to be up in the penthouse, but that is not yet realistic. Football is not basketball. Bringing in three or four studs each year immediately builds a basketball powerhouse. Football requires dozens. We don’t have basketball’s pedigree to bring in dozens of football studs.

Let’s all reflect in the mirror for a moment on how low this program had sunk. We are three overtime losses removed from an undefeated season. Sure, the schedule is very weak, but does anyone think we’d be better off with Diaco, Pasquiloni or Edsall?

I have the same issues with offensive play calling and defensive (tackling) deficiencies as everyone else, but let’s ask ourselves Ronald Reagan’s noteworthy question, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

 

[jdb50]

Watching some of the replays during the game on Saturday it looked like we had our D tackle/ends stunting away from where they were lined up and LBs did not fill the hole. That and Rice was happy to shove our guys where they were stunting to and the Rice RB hit the gap. As aggravating as the defense can be with the missed tackles it was the offense that lost the game. In the second half we did stop Rice and had good field position but the offense crapped the bed. 2nd and ten or 2nd and 12 over and over. You win by scoring and that group could not produce. The next 3 opponents will not be beaten without top level scoring production.

 

[Jetskies]

Mora has brought us from the outhouse to indoors. We’d all like to be up in the penthouse, but that is not yet realistic. Football is not basketball. Bringing in three or four studs each year immediately builds a basketball powerhouse. Football requires dozens. We don’t have basketball’s pedigree to bring in dozens of football studs.

Let’s all reflect in the mirror for a moment on how low this program had sunk. We are three overtime losses removed from an undefeated season. Sure, the schedule is very weak, but does anyone think we’d be better off with Diaco, Pasquiloni or Edsall?

I have the same issues with offensive play calling and defensive (tackling) deficiencies as everyone else, but let’s ask ourselves Ronald Reagan’s noteworthy question, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

i read this in Ronald Reagan's voice.

 

[RitzLuce1]

No attack @Chin Diesel but many who think this do not realize the players in the portal may be offered and get to pick and chose.
UConn has no conference money or championship to offer. Only a bowl game if some team turns it down.
JM and the staff have the toughest job in college football recruiting in MHO.

Maybe if it is such a hopeless job and situation you should have let us known at the beginning of the season when people had penciled in 9 wins with this schedule. I guess we just can't compete with Rice or Delaware in the facilities/cash dept.

Reading some of the posts, Mora may have one of the best jobs in football. He will always look good in comparison to what Edsall 2.0 left him. He can't lose. Even when we do.

 

[Chin Diesel]

No attack @Chin Diesel but many who think this do not realize the players in the portal may be offered and get to pick and chose.
UConn has no conference money or championship to offer. Only a bowl game if some team turns it down.
JM and the staff have the toughest job in college football recruiting in MHO.
I love the loyalty of the fans on this forum but it must be realized the biggest battle we face is not on the field of play. It's that of being odd man out recruiting and coaching up the best of the rest.
It should also be realized it is Mora that got a few big donors to buy in and keep a couple of key players of staying here.

Very tough loss for sure but our win over UAB will have everyone off the ledge and bowl talking again. ; )

Agree UConn is in a poor position for recruiting for all the reasons you mentioned.

I've also said recruiting transfers for defense is harder since Brock plays a 3-3-5 and few other teams play it so they have to project how players will fit in the 3-3-5.

None of that changes a really poor result in backfilling the D Line this year. Taking a hard, honest look at what decisions were made, who made those decisions, and determining if there needs to be changes,is something every healthy organization does when process leads to poor results.

 

[UConnDan97]

If losing 3 overtime games (it’s nearly impossible to lose all 3) doesn’t warrant “sound the alarm” should it at the very least raise some eye brows? Lead to some questions?

It also seems your solution to improve is to build a better team this off season. I agree with that.

The odds of losing 3 overtime games isn't "nearly impossible". It's 12.5%...

 

[coachcap]

Just another thought: for those who want the DC's head served on a silver platter, remember that after last season there were many on this board who, after last season's success, anointed him as head coach in waiting. You are only as good as the players on your roster, & last season's defense had a lot of seniors who were not adequately replaced...