Rice post game thread

[NE Football]

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.

It’s not NIL anymore, it’s revenue sharing. Are we spending the full 20.5 million (75% to football)? If not, we are in a hopeless position. NIL deals over $600 have to be approved by Deloitte. No more boosters paying 1 million to a player to get him to take a selfie!

 

[ZooCougar]

It’s not NIL anymore, it’s revenue sharing. Are we spending the full 20.5 million (75% to football)? If not, we are in a hopeless position. NIL deals over $600 have to be approved by Deloitte. No more boosters paying 1 million to a player to get him to take a selfie!

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

 

[NE Football]

I guess BC really was our Super Bowl. I hope the bookstore makes up New England Champions shirts and hats!

 

[Mora4Prez]

$2.5M to lose to Rice is insanity. Just putting that out there.

 

[Woof 101]

The only one who wraps up is Parham.

I ran out of fingers & toes counting missed tackles.

 

[TMB4405]

No one is or should be happy. That said, after enduring the mountain of crap for 10 years this is much better. Mora did that. I am willing to let is play out for another yearor two. I was screaming yesterday at play calling and clock management and not going for 2 among many other things. I think we can and will do better. Starting over unless Saban is next coach does not sound good to me. Hell last year I thought our D coordinator was next hot prospect. Now he's clueless (according to thia board). Bottom line our defense stinks because the D line gets pushed around by whoever they play. Look at tape from central game. They did it too.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Interesting thoughts on going for 2 after first score in OT. However I was like to point out how knowledgeable HCJM is. With about a minute and a half left and Rice has the ball on say their 35, Mora calls TO three times to get the ball back. I thought after the first TO wtf?

He knew we would get a last chance and we did only for our gifted FG kicker slipping on a clenching FG.

To all the Debbie Downers throwing shade on our program, I do appreciate your interest in UConn fb, but please try to think what the players and coaches are feeling after this depressing loss.

 

[Jetskies]

Bb is going to go downhill.
And then it will come back up.
People had Geno dead, he’s doing okay in his twilight years.

There is genuine fatigue over people looking at every result of every football game and suggesting that result is why we aren’t good enough, aren’t viable, and therefore not worthy of a P4 invite.

People are seeing what UConn is doing. People see what Mora has done. The FB program has turned the corner. Get upset after a frustrating loss. It means we should have won vs the apathy of the previous staff where just being competitive was the goal.

Just stop with the ‘this ^ is why we won’t get a P4 invite’ stuff’.

we're on the same team, ultimately. i have my view and you have yours. please stop responding to my takes. you're not gonna agree, and that's ok.

 

[Scoe]

It's time to bring back the Oklahoma drill in practice there has to be a coach who breaks the rules and become a trend setter. You have at least have some contact in practice.

Also just because Cam maybe hurt it doesn't mean you abandon the run game even though Rice was stopping the run. Coleman-Lunderg should've had more carries.

Here's what I don't get Mora doesn't wanna risk going for 2 in OT but is willing to risk throwing on edge of fg range on 2nd and 5 thus taking the risk of a sack or holding penalty, ended up being OPI thus coming away without 3 pts. Your on the edge of fg range and your not valuing your field position.

 

[Purple Stein]

Build a team on the field that is a top 10 G5 team.

Let’s start there.

We were ranked 11th in a G5 poll last week. Will obviously slip this week, but wouldn't be surprised to see us finish in the top 10 in G5 this year.

 

[hardcorehusky]

The problem with this yrs defense isn't as much about Brock but more about guys who are either physically too weak or just too small to be out there combined with a lack of dawg. Mills and Parham are the only 2 guys who drill ball carriers. The rest of the guys don't drill people and get shaken off too easily. The D line gets collapsed too easily. We had guys in right spot all day yesterday and they got discarded by Jackson with ease.

 

[Stinger92860]

Hard to say anything without an isolated camera, but Bell disappeared in 2nd half. NFL talent shouldn't be invisible against a G5 secondary.

The biggest question is why? I thought the play calling was sub-optimal yesterday.

 

[Stinger92860]

The problem with this yrs defense isn't as much about Brock but more about guys who are either physically too weak or just too small to be out there combined with a lack of dawg. Mills and Parham are the only 2 guys who drill ball carriers. The rest of the guys don't drill people and get shaken off too easily. The D line gets collapsed too easily. We had guys in right spot all day yesterday and they got discarded by Jackson with ease.

I wish our D hit and tackled as well as Rice.

 

[gioff2323]

$2.5M to lose to Rice is insanity. Just putting that out there.

… 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.

 

[Stinger92860]

attendance reported as 21K

Drop the K and I agree with the number. Terrible loss.

 

[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.