Some quick thoughts

[UconnFamily]

I wouldn't say the the issue is the whole staff. The problem I see are the offensive play calling at times. Verducci needs to step up the play calling, he's been shown to be repetitive at times and conservative. When he starts to open up the playbook you can see what we're capable of on offense. We need to see that aggressiveness some more, not just 1 or 2 series a game, which ultimately causes us the games. We also have to keep in mind that this is his first year with Uconn, I think once he gets settled in and gets more comfortable with the play calling he'll get a bit more aggressive. If not Verducci would have to go because we will not win week in and week out playing conservative on offense. Yes, the defense struggled in the first half, but they made adjustments. Good job by the defense and the rest of the staff.

 

[whaler11]

Most overrated thing in football - college or pro - playcalling.

 

[RedStickHusky]

yeah but that third and three option was pretty shaky...

 

[RedStickHusky]

Thanks btw, for the 'voice of reason' thread. Yes Navy was the better team and we were going to have to turn them over to get a chance. That kick-off fumble was a huge swing play though; we get to the half no worse than 14-10 and Navy isn't stretching it out to 28-10 in the 3rd qtr just grinding clock and putting pressure on us to run a quick strike offense. We're at least in the game much longer if that play goes our way. One thing that I wonder though, is why not take 3 to get to 7-6 in the first qtr? I mean is that about HCBD trying to send a message or change the culture or what? They had a decent play called but Max can't get to the spot and they come up empty off a nice drive. Take three points there and 14-6 and 21-13 are still one possession deficits.... I'm not trying to criticize, I am in fact very impressed with the improvement in this team. just trying to understand the call...

 

[Nostical]

Most overrated thing in football is playcalling.

I don't think play calling is overrated. It sets the tone. Absolutely hated the FG on first drive. We were moving and had Navy on their heels. On 4th and 1 we needed to go for it. We knew Navy was going to be tough to stop. We needed points. Kick it on 4th and 6. And we needed to have our two big TE's challenge the smaller guys playing against them. For all that Navy did, one thing is clear to me. We could and should have won the game. With our offense. But hats off to Navy. The only thing that can beat them is a superior offensive effort by the opponent. I expected that from us.

 

[RedStickHusky]

The only thing that can beat them is a superior offensive effort by the opponent. I expected that from us.

That's asking a lot from such a young unit. They're getting better every week though.

 

[Colt house75]

Absolutely hated the FG on first drive. We were moving and had Navy on their heels. On 4th and 1 we needed to go for it. We knew Navy was going to be tough to stop. ".

Understand your point. Maybe on not going for it-his thought
1)was to get points on the board AND
2)after last week's ST breakdown, give confidence to his kickers & team AND
3)he had confidence in his Defense that they could stop NAVY 3 & OUT sending a message
and get the ball back.
4) WE HAD HELD THE BALL four minutes plus.

The counter to that was not kicking the field goal with a fourth and six later on.....

 

[Bonehead]

Hindsight is 20/20

I didn't like the 4th and 6 th call at the time.
Looking back I still don't. Unless you are going for the win at that point in the game you could have used the FG.

 

[whaler11]

I don't think play calling is overrated. It sets the tone. Absolutely hated the FG on first drive. We were moving and had Navy on their heels. On 4th and 1 we needed to go for it. We knew Navy was going to be tough to stop. We needed points. Kick it on 4th and 6. And we needed to have our two big TE's challenge the smaller guys playing against them. For all that Navy did, one thing is clear to me. We could and should have won the game. With our offense. But hats off to Navy. The only thing that can beat them is a superior offensive effort by the opponent. I expected that from us.

You live in an alternate universe from me so none of this surprises me.

Your standard for should have won a game is every game UConn plays they should have won.

5 possessions - 4 long TD drives. How should they have won that gane? If they go on fourth and 1 you start with an assumption they score a TD on the drive?

 

[Bonehead]

Why is this playlist thing an issue? Should we also say Diaco can't coach because the new carry-a-dude-through-an-obstacle-course-race is a dud? Or that he can't coach because we've yet to see a contestant throw more than 2 footballs through a Webster Bank hole? C'mon guys.

The only issue I have with the playlist is the playlist itself.

 

[Nostical]

If they go on fourth and 1 you start with an assumption they score a TD on the drive?

Absolutely. They were clicking on all cylinders and had Navy guessing.

 

[J187Money]

If we did everything right we maybe win by 7. Navy is very good. We don't have the luxury of making mistakes either in the coaching calls or the execution.

 

[whaler11]

Absolutely. They were clicking on all cylinders and had Navy guessing.

Yet they ended up 4th and 1. I guess if you take every hypothetical to the most positive conclusion with results based analysis...

 

[bigAbruns]

Easy to pick out the negatives and the scratch you head calls but we also saw a well timed and executed flea-flicker (except the ending), a successful on-side kick and a two point conversion. They'll get it figured out...

I somehow don't think Diaco will. He continues to make boneheaded decisions. Its like he is thinking backwards. the 4th and 1 on the first drive should have gone for it. The 4th and 6 you kick the FG.....that side had the wind too. I honestly don't think he has a great 'thinking on the fly' mentality.

 

[Excalibur]

10 pt deficit versus 11 pt deficit - Right call?

Yes, with no reasonable argument otherwise. Kick the extra point or fail the conversion and you still need two touchdowns. Make the conversion and you need one touchdown and a field goal.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Hmm...interesting. So essentially the sabremetrics support going for 2 early and not waiting until absolutely necessary?

My first thought when they lined up was that Diaco has lost all faith in our EP team. Then I thought that it might make sense to go for 2 when Navy's D may have been slightly less interested than if the score was closer and the conversion would have tied the game (if we got there).

I'd be interested in the stats of when to go for it and when to kick.

Our weak spot on offense is how to take 3rd and 3 or 4 when we are in four down territory and how to call two coherent plays. Once we get inside the opponents 45, it should be 4 down territory. Instead of trying a couple of plays that develop quickly and force the defense to read and react the coaches have long, drawn out plays that take forever to come about.

First down calls have been fine, UConn can finally execute a WR screen, there is variety in the schemes. But when UConn absolutely needs a play to keep a drive alive, the coaches bail out and bring out the Goofy play list.

 

[Excalibur]

Yes, with no reasonable argument otherwise. Kick the extra point or fail the conversion and you still need two touchdowns. Make the conversion and you need one touchdown and a field goal.

Didn't finish my thought - navy holds the ball and melts clock, so possessions were limited. Lastly, it's not like we are great at finishing drives. Two more touchdowns was not reasonable to expect.

 

[Excalibur]

Our weak spot on offense is how to take 3rd and 3 or 4 when we are in four down territory and how to call two coherent plays. Once we get inside the opponents 45, it should be 4 down territory. Instead of trying a couple of plays that develop quickly and force the defense to read and react the coaches have long, drawn out plays that take forever to come about. First down calls have been fine, UConn can finally execute a WR screen, there is variety in the schemes. But when UConn absolutely needs a play to keep a drive alive, the coaches bail out and bring out the Goofy play list.

Great analysis. It shouldn't be difficult to learn that on third and four or less in for down territory, you run the ball, take a big loss out of the equation, and then get creative on fourth down if you don't get it.

 

[RedStickHusky]

I somehow don't think Diaco will. He continues to make boneheaded decisions. Its like he is thinking backwards. the 4th and 1 on the first drive should have gone for it. The 4th and 6 you kick the FG.....that side had the wind too. I honestly don't think he has a great 'thinking on the fly' mentality.

Pure speculation on my part, but I have the feeling that his decision making is at least partially influenced by a concern over messaging. Whether he's trying to convince the team or himself or the fans, he's so committed to the message that we're all in on winning that he's making decisions that don't make much tactical sense.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

There's no denying just how far this program has come even from the end of last season. They got beat by a better team today and that just flat out happens.

They are improving and there is absolute buy in from the team on Diaco and his staff. This is all very encouraging as a fan.

Speaking of fans? 1 year removed from what 3k in the house against SMU, to 34k announced at today? Seems like the fan base is coming back too.

I don't think it takes much to get people to come out and grill, drink beers, see their friends and family all while watching at least a somewhat competent team. That was lost during the P era. If UConn can get back to 07-10 levels, even in the AAC, I think people will show up.

Another week and another loss, but I still can't do anything but remain hopeful based on what I've seen from the players, Diaco and the fans.

 

[EJHarrington]

Beals looks like the real dead. He and Thomas are going to be a treat to watch for years.

 

[noeynox]

Army beat an FBS team yesterday in Eastern Michigan. Scored 58 pts in doing so also.

 

[FDNY99]

1. Progress isn't linear. They never threatened to win, but from 2011-2014 that Navy team would have beat UConn by 30. Unless you got overly excited by beating Army and Villanova - you had to know that outcome was probable.

2. Beals should shatter every UConn FBS receiving record. Offers matter - it's not an accident a player with his pedigree can step in and contribute.

3. They have to be more careful with Newsome. They ran him 5 straight plays at one point. He's not going to be as effective if they run him into the ground.

4. Going on fourth. onsides kicks. Love it - go out and play to win.

5. Crowd was dead - Navy's approach will do that.... but it was so nice to see a solid crowd so quickly. Clearly the schedule isn't as big a barrier as some may have believed. Win some games, be entertaining and the attendance will be pretty good.

If may not go well in Provo - but they have given every sign the trend is still up. To me, ahead of schedule.

EXCELLENT post...

 

[kris1]

Another quick thought (and I apologize if this has been discussed on other threads): why did we go for 2 there on our last score? TD made it 28-16, so the EP keeps it a two possession game. Has Coach lost all faith in the EP team? Or are we going for 2 when the game is a bit more lopsided and Navy's D might be a little "less interested"? It's a moot point since we converted thanks to the refs picking up their flag, but it just seemed like a curious decision.

A TD and a FG (to tie) vs 2 TDs (to win).....Coaching Football 101. You go for 2pts in that situation.

 

[uconndogs]

Fully agree concerning the OP. Excellent perspective. This is a rough stretch of schedule with @Mizzou, Navy and @BYU. Stealing just one of those would be huge.

This team is competitive and while the O is very much a work in process, it is progressing and a far cry from the absolute disaster of last season.

Don't be surprised if Navy beats ND and ends the season ranked. Very good team.