The View From Section 241 — UAB

[businesslawyer]

There really isn’t tons of analyzing to do after yesterday’s game, as despite the fears that we suck and UAB, having played a single good game against Memphis, was really good, this was easy enough as to not learn much more than we were much better than them. So here goes.

1. I felt a real hangover in the empty stadium yesterday (I’d guess 12 to 14k actually in attendance). Maybe it was that it was the morning after Halloween, maybe (my best guess) the emptiness after a third OT road loss, maybe just that with the wind at least on the visitors side the wind chill was pretty bad, but there just didn’t seem to be the enthusiasm that a must win game for a 5-3 team that was undefeated at home should have. But there was no juice in the building at all.

2. On a personal note, instead of doing what she normally does when she wants to tailgate with me and the folks invited that week, and taking a separate car and leaving after the tailgate, my wife said she wanted to ride up with me and stay for the game. Shocking no one, she was done by half time and went to the car to nap. Forcing me to leave after 3 quarters. Not that I missed anything important but sigh.

3. Yes, it’s against our schedule, but our offense is really good. We never turned the ball over (1 fumble lost and no picks in 8 games) and I don’t believe we punted until the game was clearly over. Even back to Orlovsky, we have never had a combination like JF to Bell. Despite Skyler, in what was nonetheless a great game, dropping a TD pass that reminded us of last year’s Bell. And Neider is going to be a Marcus Easley type stud by the time he’s done. (Assuming we have a QB who can get him the ball).

4. I am assuming that the constant fiddling with the running game is all about limiting Edwards’ snaps and carries unless and until he gets healthier. But weird stuff. Now we’re using a freshman, Graves, who hadn’t played at all to keep Rosa from getting carries as a back up. And running wildcat, but with JF on the field (meaning you’re losing a blocker) and no threat of passing?

5. Similarly, am I the only one noticing some bizarre over-aggressiveness in our play calling? On our opening drive, going on 4th down in certain FG range on 4th and 2 is one thing, but on 4th and 6? Why in the world wouldn’t you just take the lead there and move on. What if UAB doesn’t turn it over on their first drive and scores, and having to play from behind makes the game totally different?

6. UAB’s QB was weird. Until garbage time, it looked like he was dropping back not to throw but to see if he could find a lane to scramble forward. Also, I give the coaches a pass for not figuring out how to defend ineligible lineman lining up wide, but I hope someone tries to figure it out before it’s used against us again.

7. On a day that Parham was as quiet as he’s been since winning the MLB job, man, did Cam Chadwick step up. Overall, D did a really solid job for 3 quarters, until it no longer mattered

8. Maybe never has there been a game giving such emphasis to the phrase statistics are for losers.

9. Next week against Duke will be the last chance to avoid being a team with a good record but only beating teams that just aren’t any good. For the second straight year. Clearly the best team we’ve played since a healthy Syracuse. But this game is home, and Duke is playing a game that doesn’t mean much for them in between games that mean everything. I give us a chance. Hoping the team is healthy, there are fans in the building and the fans this week bring some electricity to the Rent. But remember that, over the last two years, we’re 10-1 at home. Duke is better than us, but I give us a shot.

Have a good week all.

 

[uconnyankee]

Just the reality of having a legit shot to win a game is massive progress.
Yesterday was the most dominant they’ve looked in all phases.

This isn’t a complete or perfect team, but is has some players that can do some damage on both sides of the ball. When all things are clicking, we’re very good.

Excited for next week to play a solid team and see where we stack up.

Let’s go Huskies!
Mush!

 

[Forte]

The no Rosa makes no sense. Not sure what I'm missing.... He produces just about every time he touches the ball and as soon as he has two or three good runs or catches out of the backfield in a row they decide OK that was fun lets move on?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Hey BL.

Comments on your points:

1) - I thought you were serving Bloody Mary's pregame. A hangover shouldn't have been an issue.

2) - I should have spoken with you earlier. I had five extra tickets on me. I could have given a few to you, then you and your better half could have returned if you wanted to.

3) - On Bell's miss, I think he misjudged the pass because of the wind. He appeared to slow down slightly as he was approaching the goal line, then the ball hit his fingertips as he stretched as far as he could. As it happened I was thinking he ended up a bit short because the wind added a foot or so to what he anticipated.

4) - I also find some of the tinkering with the RB stable a bit curious. There must be things going on that we aren't aware of.

5) - I was a bit curious on the first drive on why we weren't running slightly more. It appeared that they couldn't stop it and (for a lot of the first half) we only ended up behind the sticks when we called a pass play when we did not need to. At the end of the first drive I believe they didn't want to attempt a FG (even a relatively short one) into the wind (which was at its worst at the start of the game.

6) - We caught a break for a lot if the first half with their QB being as inaccurate as he was.

7) - Chadwick was something else yesterday. We got far too sloppy over the final 20+ minutes, which is something that will need to be corrected if we want to get where we're hoping. This has been a bit (or more) of an issue for a while.

8) - This was clearly a case of the when being far more important that the how many in terms of yardage.

9) - We need to play our best game not only of the year, but possibly of the Mora era on Saturday. Last year at Duke we could have (and I believe should have) pulled the game out. I'm not sure that there is enough difference in both teams from a year ago where we can't believe we can be competitive. We can't afford missed tackles and we can't afford empty (not at least improving field position and not leaning a little their defense) offensive possessions.

See you in 241 on Saturday

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I personally love going for it on 4th down in opponents territory in nearly any situation. The analytics show that electing to attempt a FG only has a marginal increase in win expectations.

We have a 18th year Sr qb, one of the best WR in the nation and a good ground game. Just go for it.

 

[businesslawyer]

The no Rosa makes no sense. Not sure what I'm missing.... He produces just about every time he touches the ball and as soon as he has two or three good runs or catches out of the backfield in a row they decide OK that was fun let’s move on?

I feel like we’re all missing something here. I’m sure there is something — I don’t find our staff generally irrational — but from past and cameo performances, you would think he would be getting Mel Brown’s touches.

 

[uconndogs]

What a season Joe F. is having! He's going to give us a shot against Duke, although we'll need to run the ball better than we have over the last several games to win that one.

Thanks Biz.

ummmmm........maybe let the wife drive separately to the next tailgate........😉

 

[businesslawyer]

Hey BL.

Comments on your points:

1) - I thought you were serving Bloody Mary's pregame. A hangover shouldn't have been an issue.

2) - I should have spoken with you earlier. I had five extra tickets on me. I could have given a few to you, then you and your better half could have returned if you wanted to.

3) - On Bell's miss, I think he misjudged the pass because of the wind. He appeared to slow down slightly as he was approaching the goal line, then the ball hit his fingertips as he stretched as far as he could. As it happened I was thinking he ended up a bit short because the wind added a foot or so to what he anticipated.

4) - I also find some of the tinkering with the RB stable a bit curious. There must be things going on that we aren't aware of.

5) - I was a bit curious on the first drive on why we weren't running slightly more. It appeared that they couldn't stop it and (for a lot of the first half) we only ended up behind the sticks when we called a pass play when we did not need to. At the end of the first drive I believe they didn't want to attempt a FG (even a relatively short one) into the wind (which was at its worst at the start of the game.

6) - We caught a break for a lot if the first half with their QB being as inaccurate as he was.

7) - Chadwick was something else yesterday. We got far too sloppy over the final 20+ minutes, which is something that will need to be corrected if we want to get where we're hoping. This has been a bit (or more) of an issue for a while.

8) - This was clearly a case of the when being far more important that the how many in terms of yardage.

9) - We need to play our best game not only of the year, but possibly of the Mora era on Saturday. Last year at Duke we could have (and I believe should have) pulled the game out. I'm not sure that there is enough difference in both teams from a year ago where we can't believe we can be competitive. We can't afford missed tackles and we can't afford empty (not at least improving field position and not leaning a little their defense) offensive possessions.

See you in 241 on Saturday

So as for #2, thanks, but once she left the building to sit in a warm car she wasn’t coming back. I’m still not sure why she came in to begin with. But if God wanted us to be able to understand our spouses behavior — well, I don’t know what but something would have been done differently.

As for 9, Duke is much different because they have a QB and #1 WR. Even if the rest of the roster is similar, that makes a huge difference. But, on the other hand, we have a QB who gets the job done with amazing consistency (Evers played the Duke game last year IIRC) and we’re home, where we’re 10-1 over the last two seasons). If they blow us out I’m not shocked, but I’m also not shocked if this game is there for the taking either way in the last five minutes. We’ve only played 1 team anywhere near Duke’s level this year, so it’s not that I don’t know what Duke can do — it’s that I don’t know what we can do. If the defense has one game like they played at Syracuse, or in the 2d half at BC, ….

 

[CL82]

4. I am assuming that the constant fiddling with the running game is all about limiting Edwards’ snaps and carries unless and until he gets healthier. But weird stuff. Now we’re using a freshman, Graves, who hadn’t played at all to keep Rosa from getting carries as a back up. And running wildcat,, but with JF on the field (meaning you’re losing a blocker) and no threat of passing?

I wonder about this all the time too. Edwards is clearly the better back, but why not give Rosa some more burn?

 

[coachcap]

Sitting on the press box side of the field in 50 degree weather with the strong winds making it feel like temperatures were in the low 40s, it was obvious that a Southern team would be at a climate disadvantage. Add to that, UAB had those heated sideline benches in full use on the shady side of the field. Mentally, they were toast before the game even started. Meanwhile, the Huskies were running around in short sleeves. in the 3rd quarter, the fan cam had an 8 year old & his Dad dancing on the jumbotron, naked from the waste up. Just a balmy afternoon at the RENT.
Loved the game effort on both sides of the ball. Once again saw some dubious calls by the officiating crew. (Especially that last td by UAB where the receiver was sitting with his butt out of bounds)
On to next week & hoping for another win by UConn to pad its resume...

 

[coachcap]

Also, it was obvious that UAB's kickers had no idea or ability how to kick into the wind..

 

[ZooCougar]

There really isn’t tons of analyzing to do after yesterday’s game, as despite the fears that we suck and UAB, having played a single good game against Memphis, was really good, this was easy enough as to not learn much more than we were much better than them. So here goes.

1. I felt a real hangover in the empty stadium yesterday (I’d guess 12 to 14k actually in attendance). Maybe it was that it was the morning after Halloween, maybe (my best guess) the emptiness after a third OT road loss, maybe just that with the wind at least on the visitors side the wind chill was pretty bad, but there just didn’t seem to be the enthusiasm that a must win game fora 5-3 team that was undefeated at home should have. But there was no juice in the building at all.

2. On a personal note, instead of doing what she normally does when she wants to tailgate with me and the folks invited that week, and taking a separate car and leaving after the tailgate, my wife said she wanted to ride up with me and stay for the game. Shocking no one, she was done by half time and went to the car to nap. Forcing me to leave after 3 quarters. Not that I missed anything important but sigh.

3. Yes, it’s against our schedule, but our offense is really good. We never turned the ball over (1 fumble lost and no picks in 8 games) and I don’t believe we punted until the game was clearly over. Even back to Orlovsky, we have never had a combination like JF to Bell. Despite Skyler, in what was nonetheless a great game, dropping a TD pass that reminded us of last year’s Bell. And Neider is going to be a Marcus Easley type stud by the time he’s done. (Assuming we have a QB who can get him the ball).

4. I am assuming that the constant fiddling with the running game is all about limiting Edwards’ snaps and carries unless and until he gets healthier. But weird stuff. Now we’re using a freshman, Graves, who hadn’t played at all to keep Rosa from getting carries as a back up. And running wildcat,, but with JF on the field (meaning you’re losing a blocker) and no threat of passing?

5. Similarly, am I the only one noticing some bizarre over-aggressiveness in our play calling? On our opening drive, going on 4th down in certain FG range on 4th and 2 is one thing, but on 4th and 6? Why in the world wouldn’t you just take the lead there and move on. What if UAB doesn’t turn it over on their first drive and scores, and having to play from behind makes the game totally different?

6. UAB’s QB was weird. Until garbage time, it looked like he was dropping back not to throw but to see if he could find a lane to scramble forward. Also, I give the coaches a pass for not figuring out how to defend ineligible lineman lining up wide, but I hope someone tries to figure it out before it’s used against us again.

7. On a day that Parham was as quiet as he’s been since winng the MLB job, man, did Cam Chadwick step up. Overall, D did a really solid job for 3 quarters, until it no longer mattered

8. Maybe never has there been a game giving such emphasis to the phrase statistics are for losers.

9. Next week against Duke will be the last chance to avoid being a team with a good record but only beating teams that just aren’t any good. For the second straight year. Clearly the best team we’ve played since a healthy Syracuse. But this game is home, and Duke is playing a game that doesn’t mean much for them in between games that mean everything. I give us a chance. Hoping the team is healthily, there are fans in the building and the fans this week bring some electricity to the REnt. But remember that, over the last two years, we’re 10-1 at home. Duke is better than us, but I give us a shot.

Have a good week all.

I liked going for it on 4th down. Mora said that the FG was not certain because of the wind. Even the TV guys got it.

That was one of the first decisions he made this year that actually made sense.

As for Duke, the cards will be stacked against us. Mensah passes for like 300 yards a game. We still have our defense. We also have to deal with the ACC Officials who will be protecting Duke for sure.

 

[Gburyhusky]

Very good analysis and review as always. Regarding the lack of juice in the stadium (which is a fair observation) - with UConn having to piece together an independent schedule with no-name no-brand opponents with no regional connection to us - I am not sure what else we can fairly expect. We do not have the traditional rivalries or regional opponents to sustain a home schedule that would generate casual fan excitement every week, so what you are left with on a day like yesterday is the hard core fans like us. Still it should not detract from the quality of the product we are seeing week in and week out, especially at home, which from a football perspective is light years better than the pre-Mora period. Mora has done a remarkable job.

 

[AllHusky]

I liked going for it on 4th down. Mora said that the FG was not certain because of the wind. Even the TV guys got it.

That was one of the first decisions he made this year that actually made sense.

As for Duke, the cards will be stacked against us. Mensah passes for like 300 yards a game. We still have our defense. We also have to deal with the ACC Officials who will be protecting Duke for sure.

For sure!

 

[hardcorehusky]

UAB had the silver coffee hot water heater next to the gatorade. Never seen that before.

Unpopular take, I was not in love with Cam Chadwick's game yesterday. His first 2 picks were thrown right to him. The 3rd int he should have knocked down as we would have had better field position as it was a 4th down pass. The corner blitz resulted in a sack. However, UAB QB's were bad and there were open guys in his zones that just weren't completed. My eye test is the stats were better than the play.

Duke just beat Clemson and have a huge game against Virginia next week. If there was ever a trap game, this is it for them. I like our chances as we do play well at home.

 

[businesslawyer]

Very good analysis and review as always. Regarding the lack of juice in the stadium (which is a fair observation) - with UConn having to piece together an independent schedule with no-name no-brand opponents with no regional connection to us - I am not sure what else we can fairly expect. We do not have the traditional rivalries or regional opponents to sustain a home schedule that would generate casual fan excitement every week, so what you are left with on a day like yesterday is the hard core fans like us. Still it should not detract from the quality of the product we are seeing week in and week out, especially at home, which from a football perspective is light years better than the pre-Mora period. Mora has done a remarkable job.

I fully get and agree with all that. But even adjusting for the fact that we’ll need have juice like we had in the Big EAst days unless and until we join a conference that is competing for major bowl games, I thought yesterday still lacked any energy at all compared to other blow outs we’ve had against no name opponents.

 

[businesslawyer]

What a season Joe F. is having! He's going to give us a shot against Duke, although we'll need to run the ball better than we have over the last several games to win that one.

Thanks Biz.

ummmmm........maybe let the wife drive separately to the next tailgate........😉

I tried. But the use of the word “let” in my marriage is tricky. I would have had to “made” her not drive with me, and that doesn’t work well. Luckily, it will be at least five years before she wants to come in the stadium again, and more before she wants to come in past mid-October. (She was ready to be bored, just not to be so cold.)

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

There really isn’t tons of analyzing to do after yesterday’s game, as despite the fears that we suck and UAB, having played a single good game against Memphis, was really good, this was easy enough as to not learn much more than we were much better than them. So here goes.

1. I felt a real hangover in the empty stadium yesterday (I’d guess 12 to 14k actually in attendance). Maybe it was that it was the morning after Halloween, maybe (my best guess) the emptiness after a third OT road loss, maybe just that with the wind at least on the visitors side the wind chill was pretty bad, but there just didn’t seem to be the enthusiasm that a must win game fora 5-3 team that was undefeated at home should have. But there was no juice in the building at all.

2. On a personal note, instead of doing what she normally does when she wants to tailgate with me and the folks invited that week, and taking a separate car and leaving after the tailgate, my wife said she wanted to ride up with me and stay for the game. Shocking no one, she was done by half time and went to the car to nap. Forcing me to leave after 3 quarters. Not that I missed anything important but sigh.

3. Yes, it’s against our schedule, but our offense is really good. We never turned the ball over (1 fumble lost and no picks in 8 games) and I don’t believe we punted until the game was clearly over. Even back to Orlovsky, we have never had a combination like JF to Bell. Despite Skyler, in what was nonetheless a great game, dropping a TD pass that reminded us of last year’s Bell. And Neider is going to be a Marcus Easley type stud by the time he’s done. (Assuming we have a QB who can get him the ball).

4. I am assuming that the constant fiddling with the running game is all about limiting Edwards’ snaps and carries unless and until he gets healthier. But weird stuff. Now we’re using a freshman, Graves, who hadn’t played at all to keep Rosa from getting carries as a back up. And running wildcat,, but with JF on the field (meaning you’re losing a blocker) and no threat of passing?

5. Similarly, am I the only one noticing some bizarre over-aggressiveness in our play calling? On our opening drive, going on 4th down in certain FG range on 4th and 2 is one thing, but on 4th and 6? Why in the world wouldn’t you just take the lead there and move on. What if UAB doesn’t turn it over on their first drive and scores, and having to play from behind makes the game totally different?

6. UAB’s QB was weird. Until garbage time, it looked like he was dropping back not to throw but to see if he could find a lane to scramble forward. Also, I give the coaches a pass for not figuring out how to defend ineligible lineman lining up wide, but I hope someone tries to figure it out before it’s used against us again.

7. On a day that Parham was as quiet as he’s been since winng the MLB job, man, did Cam Chadwick step up. Overall, D did a really solid job for 3 quarters, until it no longer mattered

8. Maybe never has there been a game giving such emphasis to the phrase statistics are for losers.

9. Next week against Duke will be the last chance to avoid being a team with a good record but only beating teams that just aren’t any good. For the second straight year. Clearly the best team we’ve played since a healthy Syracuse. But this game is home, and Duke is playing a game that doesn’t mean much for them in between games that mean everything. I give us a chance. Hoping the team is healthily, there are fans in the building and the fans this week bring some electricity to the REnt. But remember that, over the last two years, we’re 10-1 at home. Duke is better than us, but I give us a shot.

Have a good week all.

Good write up.

A couple things from Mora’s post game presser. Mora said going for it on the opening drive was a mistake. He said he was trying to seize momentum, but he shouldn’t have done it. Also, he said Graves played because they are in the final 4 games and they can still protect his red shirt.

But…we really need the media to ask Mora about the RB strategy. I assumed Edwards wasn’t playing that much because he was banged up…but when the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter…Edwards had carries. Why play him there if he is hurting? And all i can think with those wildcat plays was to put something on tape for Duke to think about.

 

[RedStickHusky]

That was one of the first decisions he made this year that actually made sense.

He called it a bad decision in his post-game.

 

[BlueWolf25]

I like the timing of trying some wildcat stuff out. Give Duke another thing on film to worry about. I guarantee we try a trick play next week from that formation

 

[BlueWolf25]

He called it a bad decision in his post-game.

Yeah I heard that and scratched my head. Our offense should be going for it on 4th more often than not, especially considering where we were on the field

 

[ZooCougar]

He called it a bad decision in his post-game.

Yeah I know. I was really disappointed that he believes that.

 

[coachcap]

Good write up.

A couple things from Mora’s post game presser. Mora said going for it on the opening drive was a mistake. He said he was trying to seize momentum, but he shouldn’t have done it. Also, he said Graves played because they are in the final 4 games and they can still protect his red shirt.

But…we really need the media to ask Mora about the RB strategy. I assumed Edwards wasn’t playing that much because he was banged up…but when the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter…Edwards had carries. Why play him there if he is hurting? And all i can think with those wildcat plays was to put something on tape for Duke to think about.

I think that one of the reasons that Cam was used in garbage time was to try to pad his stats. One of his stated goals in preseason is to have a 1,000 yard rushing season & he's about 3/4 of the way there with 3 regular season games left. I think the coaching staff was hoping that Cam would bust a 50 yard run to put him over 800 yards so that he can be used more sparingly in those last 3 games & give some of the bench sitters some late season playing time.

 

[ZooCougar]

Good write up.

A couple things from Mora’s post game presser. Mora said going for it on the opening drive was a mistake. He said he was trying to seize momentum, but he shouldn’t have done it. Also, he said Graves played because they are in the final 4 games and they can still protect his red shirt.

But…we really need the media to ask Mora about the RB strategy. I assumed Edwards wasn’t playing that much because he was banged up…but when the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter…Edwards had carries. Why play him there if he is hurting? And all i can think with those wildcat plays was to put something on tape for Duke to think about.

But it wasn’t even “overly aggressive” we should be going for it when we have an offense as good as ours.

Mora’s thinking just reveals how we were coached into three losses this season.

 

[businesslawyer]

Yeah I heard that and scratched my head. Our offense should be going for it on 4th more often than not, especially considering where we were on the field

The distance you’re going for is critical. The odds of converting a 4th and 2 are high enough that if you want to go for it there, fine. The odds of converting a 4th and 6th are probably roughly one in three. And getting the first down doesn’t guaranty you’re getting 7 either.