Syracuse post game thread

[RitzLuce1]

This isn't complicated. Maybe it wasn't a must win game at opening kick-off but it became a must win game up 17-6 with 7 minutes left. Let's just say the football program blew it.

UConn is in a unique situation unlike any other program. Many outsiders still perceive UConn as a fledgling program that no conference wants. No, one game doesn't make a difference for most programs and it doesn't make a difference whether UConn lands in a conference, but a long series of games do. We know the financial disadvantage we are at just trying to win a single P4 game but outsiders don't care. They only care about W's.

Under our beloved HC Jim Mora and I mean that 100%

2022 1-3 vs P4 beating bcu
2023 0-4 vs P4
2024 1-4 vs P4 including 3 close losses and the Fenway Bowl victory
2025 0-1 vs P4 so far with games against bcu and duke remaining. We don't know how good those 3 ACC teams will perform this year but the W over cuse which was circling the hole would have gone a long way to giving UConn some much needed cred.

UConn plays 3 ACC, 3 American, 2 CUSA, 2 MAC, and 1 MWC programs. It's a very winnable schedule for most programs. UConn absolutely has to beat duke or bcu and not sheet the bed against G5 programs. The cuse game was a mega lost opportunity.

How about take it one game at a time. People obsess over the ACC games and just assume the rest will be easy or don’t count for the success of the season.

If Fagano plays like he did yesterday, all of the road games will be in jeopardy. As it is, UConn is about 50-50 to win on the road against Buffalo, Rice, and Florida Atlantic. It’s very possible they could “sheet the bed”.

 

[Kolumbo]

How about take it one game at a time. People obsess over the ACC games and just assume the rest will be easy or don’t count for the success of the season.

If Fagano plays like he did yesterday, all of the road games will be in jeopardy. As it is, UConn is about 50-50 to win on the road against Buffalo, Rice, and Florida Atlantic. It’s very possible they could “sheet the bed”.

This supports my main point, that not closing yesterday was a disaster for this program. UConn should go bowling this year but could very well be sitting on the couch. A P4 road win means something. At Buffalo or Rice or FAU, not so much.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[RitzLuce1]

This supports my main point, that not closing yesterday was a disaster for this program. UConn should go bowling this year but could very well be sitting on the couch. A P4 road win means something. At Buffalo or Rice or FAU, not so much.

If we finish 9-3 with 3 Losses to the ACC teams the season is a success. It would be annoying. But a success.

Diminishing winning the G5 games is just ignorant. Ignoring how fortunate we were to win vs Temple and UAB last year. And ignorant to win predictably hovering at about 50% for several of the games on our schedule this season. If we win them all the season is a success. It’s not a sure thing at all.

 

[Scrutineer]

Except it wasn't a god awful Football game, it was a great one. Had it been a terrible game, I would be upset. But as a fan of the game, I can recognize good losses and solid games and, while still upset with the outcome, I can appreciate a good game for what it is and be entertained. That's the whole purpose of being a spectator

If you maintain your mindset, you are only gambling your happiness every time you watch any game.

Also this "The only thing that matters is whether you win or lose" thinking is junk, sports aren't black and white like that and direct winning isn't the only metric to measure progress. It's ok to find a silver lining in a loss

If you're not just some troll, or a fan of some other team toying with UConn fans, here's a clue:
Most here love the school, many went to it, many graduated from it, many buy tickets and attend games year 'round and a goodly number make or have made meaningful donations to help their teams remain or become competitive and win.

They don't make those donations or pay for seat licenses or buy tickets to go see a great loss.

Few, if any, appreciate a loss of any type in a twelve game season, especially when all games have the potential to influence the next round of realignment, let alone a gut wrenching loss of an eminently winnable game against an old rival and one of the three most important games on this year's schedule.

And, if you went into that post-game locker room and told the players "don't be upset, look at all the good things you did, and you'll get 'em next time and how much you enjoyed the game", the players would have tossed your butt out into the end zone to do sprints with Fran Brown.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

We blew an opportunity, one that we don't get that often. It wasn't a disaster for the program.

I'm as pissed as anyone over what happened but pulling that game out wouldn't have gotten us a P4 invitation by Columbus day and this loss won't derail our program. How we respond will play a massive role in whether we play a game in December (and where we play).

It sucks that we missed on a golden opportunity to win on the road against a P4 opponent and it sucks even more because it was Syracuse.

There's a lot of season left. There will be more chances to show something. I hope we can capitalize on them.

 

[cellocgg]

If you're not just some troll, or a fan of some other team toying with UConn fans, here's a clue:
Most here love the school, many went to it, many graduated from it, many buy tickets and attend games year 'round and a goodly number make or have made meaningful donations to help their teams remain or become competitive and win.

They don't make those donations or pay for seat licenses or buy tickets to go see a great loss.

Few, if any, appreciate a loss of any type in a twelve game season, especially when all games have the potential to influence the next round of realignment, let alone a gut wrenching loss of an eminently winnable game against an old rival and one of the three most important games on this year's schedule.

And, if you went into that post-game locker room and told the players "don't be upset, look at all the good things you did, and you'll get 'em next time and how much you enjoyed the game", the players would have tossed your butt out into the end zone to do sprints with Fran Brown.

I'm a bleed blue UConn diehard. You can go ahead and be miserable. I'm sad we lost but I can recognize and appreciate a good Football game for what it is. And even if you can't do this, there is plenty of good to take away from the performance. Living solely by Xs and Os is childish

 

[Greg]

As we all know the football program is a huge drain financially on the University unless they get an invite to the P4. Each time we blow a game like this it makes the chances of getting that invite less likely.

Big East is actually in pretty good shape financially with this new model because Big East schools don't have football, obviously except for UConn.

At some point something has to give.

I really believe uconn will be ACC when the next expansion hits.

 

[Skies2018]

Whatever he is, he’s better than the other choices.

Did you not watch last season?

He’s a 7th year college QB. What we see is what we’re gonna get - which is clearly not good enough to take us to the next level (beating P4 teams). Why not give Tucker a try or see if Evers has improved? I don’t really get the argument for just sticking with mediocrity.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

It’s not nonsense. They simply stopped playing football. Once you start doing something other than trying to gain yards and score you open yourself up to EXACTLY what happened yesterday.

That’s how you win. You keep going until the time is gone or it truly is over.

Exactly. Well said. Middle of the 3rd quarter on, something changed. Like a boxer, they had their opponent ready to fall, and instead of finishing him off they back off like they were afraid of punching themselves out.

 

[B1GEast]

I hope we don't look back at this game at the end of season and think of what could have been if we won this game.

It could have tremendous post season implications. Still have to go out and win games, but can't worry about this one now.

I'm kind of expecting big things

 

[RSTuthill]

I think that the level of angst post game is heightened by the initial euphoria that was generated by the fact that UConn was so competitive. Amplified by the late game lead. Much like August two years ago when realignment killed the season that year.

Time to get ready for Delaware who will not be pushovers. UConn favored by only 9 means a tough game.

 

[Kolumbo]

If we finish 9-3 with 3 Losses to the ACC teams the season is a success. It would be annoying. But a success.

Diminishing winning the G5 games is just ignorant. Ignoring how fortunate we were to win vs Temple and UAB last year. And ignorant to win predictably hovering at about 50% for several of the games on our schedule this season. If we win them all the season is a success. It’s not a sure thing at all.

I'm not diminishing G5 wins and if your scenario plays out, that's basically what UConn did last year. Another successful season for UConn fans. It won't change the perception of UConn very much outside of our fanbase. An independent G5 program which can't compete with the P4. The last thing I want to do is rest on being able to beat G5 teams and accepting that losing to cuse doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I don't know how you keep misinterpreting what I'm posting.

 

[Kgun7]

How do you not call pass interference in the end zone play? I’ve seen it posted like we were fortunate to get the call. And maybe due to the way they called the game yesterday we were but..

Did you see the replay? He actually interfered with Bell’s opportunity to catch the ball with the second part of that pass interference. It was clinical pass interference and I don’t chuck that up to a good call by the refs just the right call.

NC State game 2 years ago at the Rent had a pass interference non-call in the end zone that was twice as egregious as Bell's call. Don't convince yourself that refs will make the proper call ... When their employer may be disadvantaged by that proper call.

Wait till we talk about the Duke game replay review ... Of a replay review. I have yet to see a replay review, of a replay review, by any officials, of any conference, of any game.

 

[ktuck911]

Hogwash to anybody that didn't think our offense went into play not to lose mode late...which ultimately led to this loss....which shoulda clearly been a win... If the shoe was in the other foot I bet Syracuse would've tried putting up another 7 points that late.

How can you determine the potential of your offense can be if you don't run high percentage plays that will move the football even with 8 men in the box against you on D? We might be more talented on paper than last year but you gotta play to win games... execute... not give a play or 2 or 3 away to the defense

 

[giddyup]

He’s a 7th year college QB. What we see is what we’re gonna get - which is clearly not good enough to take us to the next level (beating P4 teams). Why not give Tucker a try or see if Evers has improved? I don’t really get the argument for just sticking with mediocrity.

JF had a bad game. QBs have bad games sometimes. The kid has produced more than adequately since last year. I think the differential moving from CCSU to P4 speed threw him off and he didn’t adjust well. But, you don’t go turtle and screw with his head. You let your receivers make plays and help the QB build some rhythm. More mid range looks to Bell and going to play action with the TEs would have done wonders. My concern is Sammis set this kid back by effectively letting him know he doesn’t have confidence in him. Worse case if you're in this situation is you change gears with Evers to run some QB option sets, and it becomes more about changing scheme than screwing with his head. Bad coaching all around. Very upsetting at so many levels.

 

[huskymedic]

My concern is Sammis set this kid back by effectively letting him know he doesn’t have confidence in him.

I thought the opposite - He might have showed too much confidence - Joe went 0-8 or 0-9 passing for a stretch didn’t he (drops might have factored in there)?

 

[Chin Diesel]

UConn spent most of the 4th quarter with a 90% or better win probability. Kudos to cuse for sticking in there and taking what UConn left for them to take, but make no bones about it, UConn let a win slip away.

 

[UCan3]

JF had a bad game. QBs have bad games sometimes. The kid has produced more than adequately since last year. I think the differential moving from CCSU to P4 speed threw him off and he didn’t adjust well. But, you don’t go turtle and screw with his head. You let your receivers make plays and help the QB build some rhythm. More mid range looks to Bell and going to play action with the TEs would have done wonders. My concern is Sammis set this kid back by effectively letting him know he doesn’t have confidence in him. Worse case if you're in this situation is you change gears with Evers to run some QB option sets, and it becomes more about changing scheme than screwing with his head. Bad coaching all around. Very upsetting at so many levels.

I just want to have the best player on the field and forget about the implications on the players psyche. because Evers gets put in there doesn't mean that Joe has to be done for the season.

 

[mauconnfan]

It’s the ultimate insult to us and our football program

Agree shameful by their HC he should apologize. Maybe he should be running he was severely outcoached for 55 minutes.

 

[ZooCougar]

No bueno.

 

[giddyup]

I just want to have the best player on the field and forget about the implications on the players psyche. because Evers gets put in there doesn't mean that Joe has to be done for the season.

Respectfully, Evers isn’t our best QB.. He’s neither very effective as a n RPO QB nor pure pocket passer. However, as a change of pace under the circumstance it may have been worth running some RPO which they hadn't seen rather than icing your QB and receiver corps. And, player self confidence matters immensely.

 

[Jimdish255]

“I trust in ___________.”

The olde Boneyard refrain, they’ve been saying it since before Edsall ghosted the team.

It’s like they think Football is preordained to have it’s version of Calhoun and they form a cult around it.

Criticism, even harsh criticism doesn’t equate to wanting a coach fired. Although I have never been sold on Gordon Sammis. I like a little and I don’t like quite a bit.

I think Gordon has come a long way in managing the preparation and execution to put us in a position to win late in games. He just hasn't figured out how to manage what to do when he gets there.

 

[Jimdish255]

More worried about Buffalo than BC. We have to beat BC and we will. Coaching or no coaching. Come to think of it that should be the mentality of a 6th or 7th year qb who's a longshot for the nfl. Take charge and play aggressively. Be the example.