That was a very, very strange game. We gained 240 yards of total offense. They gained 200. And we saw a 24-21 game, with only one return TD. How is that possible? I think the result was statistically absurd. But I know three things about what was a strange game. First, I didn't know sitting there that Masters was out and we as a team were suffering with the flu on what was a surprisingly hot day. But our heroes did what they had to do, spectacularly at times and just enough at the end, and got a win that was incredibly important to them personally and necessary for our season. Will power counts. Second, as opposed to the NC State game, we scored first and played from ahead, rather than behind, the whole game. I think that that did effect how both teams played. The way we are built this year, playing from ahead is going to be necessary for us to win. And, when we're ahead, we are not going to be playing dynamic offensive football. And shouldn't be worried about it. Third, that was the first time as a UConn football fan that I've ever had the same feeling I've had at times on the road as a hoops fan -- that this is not just another fanbase, but one that supports its team on the road and enthusiastically and makes me want to travel. More on this later, but compared to some of our showings in Piscataway and Morgantown, it was night and day.
Let's start with the trip and the feel of the place. Worked a full day on Friday, and but for some idiot driving off an enbankment on an exit ramp on the west end of the Cross Westchester, costing me 30 minutes by closing an exit ramp (please consider how your actions will effect me next time dude) had an uneventful drive down, checking in to a hotel in Alexandria, VA around 11:30. Hotel was deluged with gold and navy WVU fans waiting for the JMU game on Saturday. Now there is a fan base. Some sleep, picked up my son at GW (hung over and with not a clue where he left his contacts the night before -- parents are often made so proud) at about 9:45 and was in the parking lot setting up by 10:30 or so. Tailgate was good. College children are very appreciative of beer and real food. Lot was empty, and more fans wearing blue than red (to be fair, these are the cash lots -- obviously there were nearer lots all in red). Kudos to the young male alum from Trumbull parked next to me, who was with a jeepfull of attractive former cheerleader young alums. Good for him. (Note to self -- remember to bring much, much more extra food to road games in case this ever happens again). There were a lot of UConn fans there. Maybe, realistically, 2500 to 3000 or so. (As opposed to the 200 or 300 I've seen at other road games I've been.) Not only was the visitors section full, but in the center of the upper deck (where we were) there were as many UConn fans as Maryland fans. Equal enough that it reminded me of sitting mixed with MD fans in the outer reaches of the Carrier Dome during the 2002 Eastern Regionals at Syracuse. And the UConn fans weren't there just to curse Edsall. Everyone was into the game, cheering and making their presence known to the players on the field. The Maryland fans, by the way, were incredibly nice. Far nicer than the two games I went to in Piscataway, and far nicer, frankly, than I think we treat visiting fans at the Rent. The closest I saw to fan tension at any point was when MD fans started fighting over "Redskins vs. Ravens." Like Yankee -- Red Sox fights breaking out at the Rent. The campus was very physically attractive -- I do think nicer looking than UConn -- and is only 10 miles or so from downtown DC. The day was much, much, hotter than either of our home games. Everyone in my party was caught unprepared and burned to a crisp. It was low 90s where we were sitting, fairly high up. I can't believe it wasn't hotter in the stadium itself, and that had to play a role in the game. Easy drive home after, and with a stop for dinner was home by 11:30.
Special teams first. Christen kicked well, despite missing a 48 yarder. Wagner was really good, again. Nick Williams, in the return game, made the single biggest play of the game, as it had us playing ahead the entire game. The kick coverages, however, were not what they should be and need to be. Yes, I recognize that Diggs is going to be a special player, but we made it too easy on him. Kinney had a chance to take his head off on a punt he should have fair caught and didn't, leading to a long return. Deshonn Foxx refused to stay outside, and let Diggs get outside him on a kickoff without making a move on him. The coverages need to get better quickly. The good news is that the miscues look to be more physical than mental. I don't know what Brandon Steg did to extend their second TD drive. But if he actually did anything (because nothing was said ever on the field), he needs to not do it again.
A very, very strange day for the Defense. On the one hand, they only gave up 200 yards total offense, and had tons of sacks and tackles for losses, and did it on a day without Blidi, without Joseph at the end and with many of them fighting the flu in unseasonably warm weather. I'd like to do nothing but sing their praises. However, I know we play a gambling, aggressive defense but you can't allow a team to score 21 points on reasonably long drives when you only give up 200 yards total. You need more consistency. A lot of individuals were great. Sio, Yawin, Ryan Wirth and Gratz come to mind. We played 5 DTs to keep people fresh. I didn't see a sub DE come in until Jesse Joseph got hurt, and then I think Willman finished the game. Taylor Mack did not look outmatched generally, but was victimized for the second straight week, and had a late hit flag to boot. Tymeer Brown made a bad play on one of their TD drives, going for a ball on third and long instead of letting the receiver catch it and stopping him short of a first down. Overall, I guess, I think giving up the 21 points was not a good result, but the number of plays the D made didn't make me lose my faith in what they can accomplish this season. Now, if Blidi's injury was a hammy, and he wanted to play, hopefully that isn't long term. And it was nice seeing Stephen back on the field, although I don't think he played a lot. But the loss of Joseph, if that occurs, on top of the loss of Jennings, would leave us in a pickle. If you still have Trevardo, backed up by Norris, you now need some combo of Willman, Louis, Maybe McBridge moving back to DE, maybe a Donohue or Vann lining up there to rush the passer, something, at SSDE, which may be the key position to a college defense. One other thing to consider -- Joseph was a "true" Sr. who never took a redshirt. I think 3 games is one to many to play and then take a medical redshirt, but I'm not sure of that.
On offense, I know we only had 240 yards (again) but I saw a lot of positives there as well. Whitmer showing a willingness to tuck it in and run. McCombs, McCummings and the run blocking looking much more like last year than the last two weeks. Leaving the wildcat in for a few plays at a time. We didn't throw as much, in part because we were up the whole game and were trying to make their offense beat us, but good efforts by Delahunt and by Michael Smith. And turnovers and penalties were limited. Whitmer missed a throw or two he could have made, but you'll trade that for eliminating the picks. (Or, more accurately, you should be willing to trade that). And, most importantly, I think it's only fair to remember we won the game, never trailed and were up two scores as much as we were up only one. If it got conservative, it got conservative for a reason. Having said that, Mateas needs to be much, much more consistent snapping the ball in shotgun. I think that is a material part of our problems offensively, and wouldn't be surprised if we see Bullock get a shot there before we start conference play.
So we're 2-1. That is where we probably should be at this point. Yes, we could be 1-2 or 3-0, but we've neither proved that this is a great year or couldn't be a really good year. We now need to stop the WMU passing attack and get revenge in Kalamazoo. And remember that we moved the ball against them last year, so it would be a good week to get the offense moving a bit more. Win there, take care of business at home against an unmatched Buffalo, and then let's see what the Big East play will bring.
