Syracuse Post Game Thread

[huskymedic]

Was Nick available today or is his injury season ending?

Mora post-game:

-> Fagnano for UConn, for now: UConn coach Jim Mora chose Joe Fagnano to start at quarterback, citing his winning performances as a backup and Nick Evers‘ lingering foot and hip injuries. But he hinted Evers could be back to play vs. UMass next week.

“Joe’s done some really good things for us when we’ve put him in those situations,” Mora said. “We felt that was the best decision for today’s game, it means nothing going forward.” … <-

 

[Slick]

This game was largely about QB play.,

I still think Fagnano was the right call. We lost by 7.

That was my predication that if he started, we would have a shot - and we did.

But I‘d wouldn’t be entirely honest if I didn’t say I was disappointed with his play. Mostly, he had the time, and consistently missed open receivers.

I am feeling anything after this game other than we had a GOOD season, no great, but good. I am accepting this and let’s move on to UMass.

 

[Slick]

Our receivers looke very angry when they were open and our QB couldn’t come close to hitting them.

 

[Purple Stein]

Mora post-game:

-> Fagnano for UConn, for now: UConn coach Jim Mora chose Joe Fagnano to start at quarterback, citing his winning performances as a backup and Nick Evers‘ lingering foot and hip injuries. But he hinted Evers could be back to play vs. UMass next week.

“Joe’s done some really good things for us when we’ve put him in those situations,” Mora said. “We felt that was the best decision for today’s game, it means nothing going forward.” … <-

Mora just feeding The Boneyard. Lots of hits for Tom at least...

 

[UCan3]

I

”out classed? “ If you mean Syracuse has more talent then you’re right. That said, they competed to the very last second and belong on the field with Syracuse.

“Out classed“ would be the last thing in the world I would use to describe what happened there today.

Actually it was polar opposite.

We got beat, yes.
Syracuse played offense with a pro like efficiency, yes.
Even facing this, we were inches away from having a chance to steal this game.

“Out Classed” might have been a term to describe our team last year. But not this year..

Not this year!

 

[uconnbill]

Sorry to be a glass half empty guy but I was very disappointed with this loss. It would have been sweet to finish 8-4 and say we beat a P4 conference team. Especially cuse who I hate. 8-4 is nice but our schedule was a joke

You only play the schedule you have, so stop your complaining. I will take this over what we have seen the last 12 years or so. I don't get people complaining about wins. It is what it is

 

[HCCForever]

- I’m overall happy with Sammis at OC but those 3 passes that went nowhere after Mel’s almost TD run was Charlton-level playcalling. Running is our strength and it didn’t get established enough early beyond Cam’s huge TD run

I couldn't understand the passes either after Mel's run and the fact that Syracuse DLine seemed to be getting tired.

I'm just surprised that the game was so close in score after McCord started out so hot. I believe he was 14 for 14 until the incompletion due to UConn pass rush forced him to throw it away. On to next week.

 

[HCCForever]

Our receivers looke very angry when they were open and our QB couldn’t come close to hitting them.

I believe the announcers talked about Gathings's pronounced strut after one of those misses.

 

[RSTuthill]

Haha. Yes you are right. 8-4 after next week but no wins vs P4 teams is bad look for our conference realignment dreams

A profound statement of the obvious. We are all disappointed. It is what it is. Rome wasn't built in a day.

 

[Rich]

So far, the team has demonstrated proof of concept. But the ceiling won't get any higher unless Mora is able to level up his recruiting, both high school and portal. And he's gonna have to get a better QB, whether Welliver, another high school kid, or a transfer. Put a McCord, Rourke, Murphy etc. things would have been much different.

We're damn sure going to need those improvements given the upcoming season schedules though. Either that or look into cancelling some of those buy games......we have zero business playing an SEC team unless and until we can improve the overall roster quality. I don't want to see any of those Tennessee results ever again, it's just not necessary.

 

[zls44]

Welliver will be playing on Sundays.

UConn will go heavy in the portal at QB. Tough for Cole but it’s the reality.

 

[Bubba1957]

I believe the announcers talked about Gathings's pronounced strut after one of those misses.

Gathings did the same crap last game on balls thrown by Evers. That needs to stop.

 

[PackTheRent]

You only play the schedule you have, so stop your complaining. I will take this over what we have seen the last 12 years or so. I don't get people complaining about wins. It is what it is

Take off the blinders. Since Mora started in 2022 we have not improved. 2 wins against BC and Liberty in 2022, then 0-9 vs P4 or ranked teams in 2023 and 2024. That’s not good. How are we ever going to get into a legitimate conference?

 

[uconnfan68]

The refs let the play with the game winning TD go on forever. Syracuse probably would have scored on that drive anyway but I couldn't believe how long it took them to blow it dead.

Well they had to wait until they thought he was over the goal line, and he was definitely stopped short.

 

[ZooCougar]

Take off the blinders. Since Mora started in 2022 we have not improved. 2 wins against BC and Liberty in 2022, then 0-9 vs P4 or ranked teams in 2023 and 2024. That’s not good. How are we ever going to get into a legitimate conference?

Are you for real?

In three seasons he has won more games than the program has won going back how many years?

Go get help.

 

[Jacks5556]

UConn will go heavy in the portal at QB. Tough for Cole but it’s the reality.

Lol.. They're going to have to go heavy everywhere in the portal with everyone that’s graduating and the possibility of best player's that aren’t graduating transferring up.
Plus a good QB with a winning record in the portal is at least $500-750k at minimum..look it up!
it’s obvious you can’t get a good QB in the portal for $150k..

 

[ZooCougar]

Lol.. They're going to have to go heavy everywhere in the portal with everyone that’s graduating and the possibility of best player's that aren’t graduating transferring up.
Plus a good QB with a winning record in the portal is at least $500-750k at minimum..look it up!
it’s obvious you can’t get a good QB in the portal for $150k..

We’re supposedly doubling our NIL budget.

We can’t afford another season without a real QB1.

 

[businesslawyer]

You only play the schedule you have, so stop your complaining. I will take this over what we have seen the last 12 years or so. I don't get people complaining about wins. It is what it is

I don’t see people complaining about winning. I do see people considering the quality of the teams we’ve beaten in trying to analyze how much we’ve improved and where we are as a program.

 

[Improviser]

Take off the blinders. Since Mora started in 2022 we have not improved. 2 wins against BC and Liberty in 2022, then 0-9 vs P4 or ranked teams in 2023 and 2024. That’s not good. How are we ever going to get into a legitimate conference?

I don't know, but maybe beating 2 out of the 4 ACC teams we played this year, would have been a start. Not sure our 3 close losses would do it.

Maybe, after a few years of splitting games with P4 teams and then beating teams slightly better than the other teams we beat this year, might be a formula for consideration by a legitimate conference.

Still nice to have the wins we did have. Better than those drought years.

 

[uconnfan68]

UConn will go heavy in the portal at QB. Tough for Cole but it’s the reality.

So you think Cole will stay? Why?

 

[How Sway?!]

Lol.. They're going to have to go heavy everywhere in the portal with everyone that’s graduating and the possibility of best player's that aren’t graduating transferring up.
Plus a good QB with a winning record in the portal is at least $500-750k at minimum..look it up!
it’s obvious you can’t get a good QB in the portal for $150k..

I think you have a misconception of NIL for non P2 programs. Sure, there will be players who move up in level, but there will be even more looking to move down in search of playing time. And at our level, our NIL funds are more than adequate to get good QB, and that's without the planned increase for next season.

 

[ZooCougar]

So you think Cole will stay? Why?

We have to have 5 scholarship QBs on the roster to run the program.

Assuming nobody leaves we will have Evers, Welliver, McDonald and the freshman.

We will go get another QB in the portal.

 

[UConnJim]

Syracuse was able to get McCord, a starting QB at a top 5 program who was fully developed due to relationships. He is a once in a decade/2 decade QB for Syracuse and that was the difference in the game. Next year, their QB play will drop off considerably.

Anybody who doesn't see how much the team has improved this year is blind. And, coaching is better this year with the new OC and DC. I've enjoyed the season and the foundation has been layed under Mora and the football program is in much better shape.

If you want to see the football team take the next jump, support the NIL efforts, specifically Bleeding Blue for Good. UConn will be hitting the portal again hard this year and it seems the portal is right up Mora's alley as he and his coaches have done a good job of evaluating available talent. Increased funding will get even better players.

 

[UConnDan97]

Are you for real?

In three seasons he has won more games than the program has won going back how many years?

Go get help.

@PackTheRent just got me to agree 100% with Zoo. That's how you know for sure that he's wrong... (just kidding, Zoo)

 

[UConnDan97]

I was really hoping that Fagnano was going to have a breakout game today because he was playing in the dome. Both our QBs have dealt with the wind at the Rent, and since Fagnano is supposed to have the bigger arm, I was hopeful that the deep ball was going to really be there.

It wasn't. He doesn't have touch. It's either fast ball or high lob. If Mora goes with Evers next week, I suspect it's gonna be because we'll have more run and RPO at Amherst...