The View From Section 241 — First Three Game

[Gburyhusky]

This was the killer and most of it is on Sammis. A friend, an astute football guy and former OC at a small school who was watching from Texas, said the game came down to this sequence.

"With the score 26-21 you get great field position on a Duke punt and start moving the ball toward the go ahead score--while importantly churning the clock. 1st and 10 on the Duke 30. Then came the worst series of play calls of the day. 3yd run by QB, long incompletion into double coverage (why?!) leaving 3rd and 7. Two runs were the calls at that time. Or at least a backside screen after a short sprint right. QB threw at feet of too many receivers--accuracy issues. Never picked up any yards to help your kicker. The OC needs to regroup."

Agreed that Sammis did not have a great game. First year coordinators are no different than first year players - need experience and reps to get better on the job. I'm guessing that we wont be seeing many trick plays the rest of the way. I think the staff felt they wanted to reward Joe F. with some plays designed to get him the game - hence the gadget plays we saw. Would have made much more sense to give Joe a series or a drive in the conventional offensive scheme, which is the role he is best suited for. Live and learn.

 

[Alum86]

Agreed that Sammis did not have a great game. First year coordinators are no different than first year players - need experience and reps to get better on the job. I'm guessing that we wont be seeing many trick plays the rest of the way. I think the staff felt they wanted to reward Joe F. with some plays designed to get him the game - hence the gadget plays we saw. Would have made much more sense to give Joe a series or a drive in the conventional offensive scheme, which is the role he is best suited for. Live and learn.

We don’t do that here at Vanilla State. Don’t want to upset the starter by letting a backup run the first series in the 2nd qtr. Better to do slow developing circus flea flickers with both QBs in. Dopey.

 

[Nostical]

I asked my buddy about starting Fagnano or (what I thought would happen) starting him in second half. His comment was "after you pay a guy $750,000, you don't bench him after two starts. Word gets out and you'll have a tough time getting another promising portal transfer."
(I'm not sure where he got that $750,000 figure--lol)

 

[metsfan2323]

I asked my buddy about starting Fagnano or (what I thought would happen) starting him in second half. His comment was "after you pay a guy $750,000, you don't bench him fter two starts. Word gets out and you'll have a tough time getting another promising portal transfer."
(I'm not sure where he got that $750,000 figure--lol)

I hope we are not making our QB decisions based on NIL.....and benching Evers will have zero impact on future NIL transfers. If we are the highest bidder for a transfer, they won't reject UConn because Fagnano was better than Evers and Evers got benched.....having another lousy record in 2024 will have a much bigger impact on recruiting, we need to play the best QB and win games now.

 

[Bonamassa]

On the 47yd field goal attempt down 6 I was so disappointed that they didn't go for it. You go for the win there with a chance to run down the clock to nothing. If they had made the fg they still would have had to get the ball back from Duke. That's too much to do considering Dukes offense had found their footing again. To me the odds to win the game where way better going for it on 4th down all things considered.

 

[Bonamassa]

Down 5

 

[Patman]

I hope we are not making our QB decisions based on NIL.....and benching Evers will have zero impact on future NIL transfers. If we are the highest bidder for a transfer, they won't reject UConn because Fagnano was better than Evers and Evers got benched.....having another lousy record in 2014 will have a much bigger impact on recruiting, we need to play the best QB and win games now.

Its not about the player, its about the payer. The payer is paying to get what they want.

 

[hardcorehusky]

IF Mora can get Evers to reach even close to his potential, he now has a new track record of getting portal QB's from P4s to elevate their games at UConn. Evers isn't just about this year, it is to set up the next few years with portal QBs.

 

[SubbaBub]

To have the best chance to win we need a QB that is an accurate passer first. We have RBs and receivers that can get the job done and right now are better at those position groups than last year overall. As others have said play action off a decent run game should be the main focus of our offense. Having a QB that can run when protection breaks down is nice but the passing part has to be the main threat from that position. We will see how this progresses in the next 2 games.

Decision making (speed and accuracy) is equally important. I think it improved from MD, doesn't really matter if it will improve enough, it's what we got this year. I don't think Fagnano is measurably better, but I'm open to re-evaluating after FAU, a team we should consider on par with Merrimack for this purpose.

Neither QB did well vs MD. Fagnano caught a tomato can in MC. Evers was better vs Duke on the road but left a lot on the table. Evers will get his chance against a poor team this week. All opinions will be heard after that. We have an 8-4, 7-5 strength of schedule. Missing bowl eligibility is not an option for anyone associated with the program. No one is entitled to anything. Win these home games, give Wake a game, don't get blown out by Cuse, everyone will be jumping for joy.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I asked my buddy about starting Fagnano or (what I thought would happen) starting him in second half. His comment was "after you pay a guy $750,000, you don't bench him after two starts. Word gets out and you'll have a tough time getting another promising portal transfer."
(I'm not sure where he got that $750,000 figure--lol)

Or….as I stated in another thread (and was told my comment was weird)…it’s hard to go back to donors for more NIL money when the guy they just helped bring in got benched.

 

[Uconnalliance]

O.K., a few things to cover here.

1. The overwhelming odds when we kicked off at College Park were that even if we had gotten somewhat better or, God forbid, worse, we were going to be 1-2 after 3 games. That’s where we are. We looked as bad as I could have feared on opening day (unfortunately, the game I was at in person), but we looked significantly better than last year, and probably than I would have realistically hoped, in the last two games. Yes, yesterday was winnable (more on that in a moment), but we are record wise where everyone should have expected and quality of play, on balance, showing improvement. It was not a bad first quarter season. Now we get to the part of the schedule that will determine if we reach a bowl and if we can show improvement not just from last season but from ‘22 as well. Because from this moment on, there is probably only one game left (at Syracuse) that we are unlikely to have a reasonable chance to win.

2. I did not expect to be competitive yesterday, especially with Mora’s QB decision (again, more on that later), but we were. We didn’t look like we’d be after their opening possession, but from that moment on the defense was competitive, on the road, against a P-4 school. The offense more than struggled in the first half — I couldn’t believe we didn’t change QBs at the half — but then played much better on back to back drives. And we had a 4th Quarter lead and every chance to win the game and didn’t get it done. Sucks that we didn’t but this was always going to be an uphill struggle, and now we have chances to win games mostly at home (6 of the last 9) and against a lower quality of opponents.

3. The disparity in FG kickers was a huge factor in the loss. I pray that Mora knew what he was doing by going to get Freeman rather than focusing on keeping Ruelas (not to mention benching Ruelas for a McFadden who clearly wasn’t the same post injury) but the jury is out on that, at best, and may will argue that the votes are already being counted (to mix metaphors). I get that.

4. We just didn’t look good enough on the opening drive, but from that moment on the overall defensive performance was really good. After the first drive we gave up barely 300 yards of offense, 19 points and got a defensive TD. Tackling, pass coverage and rush defense — all far from perfect but light years ahead of what we saw in College Park a few weeks ago. Was Durante Jones playing in the first half? I didn’t see him. But the second half was the first time we’ve see Jones and Dixon-Williams on the field together, and not shockingly it looked to make a huge difference in a 5 DB set. I hope Yates is ready now also as we start the deciding portion of our schedule. But I’m hoping the defense is ready to lead us to a 2022 type season at a minimum.

5. Which takes us to the offense. So it was not good enough, and was poor for most of the game, but had a 20 minute stretch where it looked much more competent. The OL seems to be doing its job both running and passing, and the running game was really good. Edwards is going to be a stud by the time he’s done (assuming we can keep him here). The passing game? I really don’t get how you didn’t give Fagnano this game to see if last week was just a mirage, but tons have been said about that so I’m just writing this assuming Evers is the guy. So how was the guy? Clearly better then at Maryland, and therefore the hope is there that, when he gets to play at home and against non P-4 competition, he’s going to be better than what we’ve had for a while. And he did show skill running the ball. I’ll even put aside what looks to be inaccuracy until I see him next week. My concern, however, that I’m totally sold on is the fact that he locks in on one receiver all the time and there is no progressions. The number of times he threw to Bell when Bell was double covered (with a third DB keeping one eye on him) was frankly startling. I’m hard pressed to think that’s going to get better quickly, but it’s Mora’s call so we’ll see.

That’s what I’ve got. I think we’ll know a lot more about where this season is going after next week. Hope we get good weather, a good crowd and a good performance.

Ahhhh 241 has returned

 

[BigTenFan]

Wisconsin just lost their starting QB this week....wonder if they regret losing Evers

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Wisconsin just lost their starting QB this week....wonder if they regret losing Evers

I have a feeling they have about 3 other qbs they would play before Evers…so no.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Or….as I stated in another thread (and was told my comment was weird)…it’s hard to go back to donors for more NIL money when the guy they just helped bring in got benched.

Not disagreeing................but, big donors should also be big fans whose ultimate goal is program success. I'd also suggest many people with that kind of disposable income have taken financial risks on their way to success and have gotten burned on some risks.
Maybe give them the opportunity to kick one of UConn's coaches in the nuts as a way of apologizing for pissing away money on a high risk prospect?

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Not disagreeing................but, big donors should also be big fans whose ultimate goal is program success. I'd also suggest many people with that kind of disposable income have taken financial risks on their way to success and have gotten burned on some risks.
Maybe give them the opportunity to kick one of UConn's coaches in the nuts as a way of apologizing for pissing away money on a high risk prospect?

True…but I still think they will lose trust in the coach’s judgement on recruits. “You told me last time that this was the guy…why do I believe you now?”

Using your analogy…it an invester get burnt by investing in a particular opportunity….do they go back and make another investment in the same opportunity?

 

[CL82]

True…but I still think they will lose trust in the coach’s judgement on recruits. “You told me last time that this was the guy…why do I believe you now?”

Using your analogy…it an invester get burnt by investing in a particular opportunity….do they go back and make another investment in the same opportunity?

I'm not sure that investor is the right analogy. I suspect they consider it more of a charitable donation.

 

[Chin Diesel]

True…but I still think they will lose trust in the coach’s judgement on recruits. “You told me last time that this was the guy…why do I believe you now?”

Using your analogy…it an invester get burnt by investing in a particular opportunity….do they go back and make another investment in the same opportunity?

I'm not sure that investor is the right analogy. I suspect they consider it more of a charitable donation.

Regardless, yes, I think they'd be pretty pissed off at the coach and whatever name you give the staff member who figures out the NIL money value. And yes, I'd be a bit more hesitant. For UConn and other's in the lower rungs of FBS football finances, there is always going to be a gamble trying to lure away big name players who didn't find the field at their first school.
Every school is going to miss on some of their NIL poaches but smaller schools like UConn have less capital to waste.

Did I use enough mixed-up analogies to make sense?

 

[CJasmer]

Key is to get a QB that actually has starting time at FBS/FCS level so you can do an evaluation. Sluka who went to UNLV is 3-0. Of course you are talking significantly more NIL.

 

[king conn]

What about if the player the donor paid for plays, and he is so terrible it leads to losses. The donor would also be upset in that scenario too correct? Still be questioning the coach

This is something you can't worry about

 

[Chin Diesel]

What about if the player the donor paid for plays, and he is so terrible it leads to losses. The donor would also be upset in that scenario too correct? Still be questioning the coach

This is something you can't worry about

Endow the position, not the player. Have a donor who strokes a check for X amount of dollars and that money goes to the starting QB.

 

[CJasmer]

Endow the position, not the player. Have a donor who strokes a check for X amount of dollars and that money goes to the starting QB.

Sure. Are you volunteering? My guess all big Donors are basketball fans. You need to get a QB that actually has experience on playing FBS. My guess you are looking at least $200K. I would be surprised if Evers cost us more than $100k. Do portal evaluations like Hurley. The issue is then you need a significant bag to get a QB.

 

[huskymedic]

Endow the position, not the player. Have a donor who strokes a check for X amount of dollars and that money goes to the starting QB.

It’ll get there… give it time.

Starting for UConn @ the Chin Diesel QB position…

 

[freescooter]

Uconn women’s basketball had its first National Championship in 1995, and men got their first four years later. Were we climbing a ladder to win a National Championship when they built Gampel in the early 90’s? Guess what happened just a few years later? Before those years UConn was competitive in major college basketball since the Corny Thompson years. My point is I have higher expectations than you, and if you are content with maybe a bowl game in a few years that’s fine, but if the school can put more money into the football program then anything is possible over the next 5 or 10 years, especially in a 12 team playoff. You can take your “UConn Fieldhouse” mentality and apply it to football, and have a few beers, but you’ll always be about as proud as URI fans are in basketball.

In our current situation, independent G5, being competitive with mid tier P4 teams would be a solid accomplishment. When we get to a P4 league, I suspect we will very quickly climb the ladder to at least playoff eligibility. I had a chance to speak with Jim Calhoun fairly early in his UConn career in an informal setting. I had a cousin who grew up next door to Calhoun in Dedham. He volunteered as a tutor for Northeastern basketball when Calhoun was there. I was the lone UConn guy among a bunch of BC folks so we got on well. I asked the hardest challenge he faced and he said all the other teams knew what was needed to compete at a national level, “even Seton Hall”. (His words, LOL) because they had all done it if not in bssketball than in football but the requirements were the same. UConn needed to learn it because we never competed at a high level in anything. The NIT was part of that process. I think we now know how to do it and when we get the opportunity we will do it again.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

In our current situation, independent G5, being competitive with mid tier P4 teams would be a solid accomplishment. When we get to a P4 league, I suspect we will very quickly climb the ladder to at least playoff eligibility. I had a chance to speak with Jim Calhoun fairly early in his UConn career in an informal setting. I had a cousin who grew up next door to Calhoun in Dedham. He volunteered as a tutor for Northeastern basketball when Calhoun was there. I was the lone UConn guy among a bunch of BC folks so we got on well. I asked the hardest challenge he faced and he said all the other teams knew what was needed to compete at a national level, “even Seton Hall”. (His words, LOL) because they had all done it if not in bssketball than in football but the requirements were the same. UConn needed to learn it because we never competed at a high level in anything. The NIT was part of that process. I think we now know how to do it and when we get the opportunity we will do it again.

Was PJ or Raftery the coach when he said that? Just Curious. Maybe not Raftery, didn’t he coach in the 70’s?

 

[cohenzone]

Given who the first two opponents were, and that Evers had the job but played only a half after basically sitting for 2 years after high school, and hardly anyone, at least on the BY wanted Fagnano in school this year let alone starting, picking the starter after Merrimack was no slam dunk for Fagnano. It would not have been nuts to start him vs. Duke but it was also not ridiculous to go with the guy who had won the job. As I said in another post, Evers biggest issue seemed to be locking on a receiver, often a double covered receiver. He certainly has to show improvement, so we will probably get to see why he was so well regarded out of hs or he will not be the starter very long. But let’s not pretend that Merrimack suddenly erased all the misgivings many had about Fagnano.