This Isn't Working

[shizzle787]

Serious question. How many years before they can win 6 games?

We can get to six next year. We have a decent chance to win 4 this year. UMass, FIU, and Ball State all look worse than us.

 

[wheelerdog]

Our lack of size in our secondary is a major issue. We are never going to competitive with these major football programs until we get much bigger athletes in are secondary.

I was on the field during warmups. The size of the Syracuse guys compared to UConn was alarming

 

[CTforthewin]

Anyone know about Matt Drayton's status, he was pretty good as a freshman 2 years ago, I don't think I saw #4 on the field or the sidelines this game.

He was arrested

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[Hoophound]

Go watch Zion's high school tape. He is a good scrambler and he throws well on the run.

I just can't get over how people think a true freshman QB in his 2nd start with a short handed WR corpse with apparently no fully healthy backup QB should be much better than we have seen so far. I do believe we would have seen a more dynamic offense with Roberson as he is more experienced and the QB depth was better with a healthy Turner the backup and we would have seen more QB runs.

UConn has allowed 1.33 sacks per game through 3 games, so I think Turner and the offensive scheme are avoiding sacks. Last year, UConn allowed 3.33 sacks per game and was ranked 120 out of 130 schools.

I don’t expect Zion to be much better than he is. I just don’t think he has what it takes to maximize the potential of this team. We need someone faster.

Yes, Zion was a good scrambler in high school and I was thrilled to get him. I am in South Florida and knew all about his exploits. Unfortunately, this isn’t high school. His ability to scramble isn’t what Tyler Phommachanh’s is and according to our own coaches, not as good as Millen’s either. So, we either bang our heads against the wall all season or try a QB with more speed. That doesn’t mean anything in regard to Zion’s long term prospects, just that we are depleted of receivers and aren’t giving the QB much time when he drops back. Maybe, one of the other guys is better equipped for this temporary situation.

 

[Hoophound]

I was on the field during warmups. The size of the Syracuse guys compared to UConn was alarming

We’ve been saying that for about 10 years. My hope was speed was going to be to our advantage over the big guys. It isn’t.

 

[ZooCougar]

The game was about what I expected it to be.

I went on record saying that 3-9 would be a success. UMass, FIU and Central. With Ball State being a reach goal. But this was when I thought we would have an experienced transfer under center.

That puts us within the realm of normal bad and not just historic bad.

 

[UCFBfan]

I just think many of you were not realistic. Many of you were counting Cuse as a victory and not a maybe win but a win. Not sure where that came from but this was everyone's reality check. Mora stated before the season started that expectations needed to be tempered. Syracuse has a massive OLine that easily manhandled our defense. It was not a winnable game to start with.

As for Zion, I just think he was thrown into the fire before he was really ready. He's a true frosh who needed this year to adapt and learn. Playing in live games is not the learning he needs and right now we're seeing that. I still believe he is the future QB but I just hope this year doesn't set him back.

Finally, the comments about us not getting 3-4* recruits is no longer applicable. We may pull a 3* or two but Mora knows how to use the portal and that is how you build a roster now in CFB. He will, and needs to, build depth through it and try to retain players from leaving as best he can.

Many of you are still having instant reactions and I get it. However, we need to step back and realize that this team was never going to win more than 2-3 games. Losing our QB1 and starting 2 WR makes that goal of 3 even harder.

 

[cohenzone]

Exactly. Looking at some of the posts in this thread makes me wonder is some people have a clue about the distance we have fallen and the hill we have to climb. Vince Lombardi could do no better. There are several teams on this schedule we will be crushed by

I do agree that Turner does not look like a dual threat. Not great speed but also no running instinct or ability to avoud a sack. But he us young. But between jhim, our wide receivers and our pass blocking, stretching the field is nit in the picture against a bunch of teams, especially this month.

Got interrupted before i could finish or edit. Too lazy to look up correct spelling but Pommekhan looked far more ready lad year. Carter us a stud. But fir me a dreary week, my son and my money went to UMich. At least he knows beating this UConn team isnt worth bragging about.

 

[RSTuthill]

So this morning the volatility index (VIX) has gone wild among the fanboy group. The analysts on the other hand are much more sanguine. Much easier on the mental health to be an analyst taking the long view. UConn is still on track to win three games this year. There won't be a parade for doing that, but it'll be a helluva accomplishment.

 

[businesslawyer]

There's nobody for him to throw to down the field. It's probably the worst receiving core in the country. If he's throwing down the field to covered guys in that game he's going to have a few interceptions.

I agree it's impossible to beat legit opponents with dink and dunk, the reality is the team is nowhere near in position to beat legit opponents because of it's deficiencies.

This. The passing offense is unbelievably pitiful. But we haven’t seen enough to put the majority of the blame on Charlton or Turner. They clearly have no faith in our receivers — possibly with good reason — or in the ability of the right side of our OL to pass protect.

We suck passing. No doubt. But I think it will take a little more time to pinpoint what the real problem is. It may be all four (QB, Receivers, OL and coaching) and it may only be one.

 

[gopher2]

After the next three beatdowns, I just hope we have enough left to manage a win over FIU, Mass and/or Balls State.
I had to leave at halftime last night. The cheers of the Syracuse fans were more depressing than the game itself.

 

[SubbaBub]

Zion isn't the answer, but there is no point changing horses for the next two games. Both will be out of hand early enough to let whatever healthy person is available take snaps. It's on Mora to pick the best person to start the Frenso State game, if it's not Zion, so they can get meaningful action before the key 3 game stretch. The season is now 3 games long. FIU, Ball State, and UMass. Until yesterday all three were ranked lower than us. Win those games. If the QB (whomever it is) can't perform against those three squads then there is no point moving forward with them as potential starters.

I have no idea how we can play better pass defense. it is literally the worst we've seen, and we've seen some bad pass defense the last few years. Playing zone doesn't mean just standing in your area. It means covering the guy in your area. No fault for losing contact after the QB has 10 seconds in the pocket, but that was rare. I'll happily take those. We've clearly improved in every other area and should be able to run over our lesser opponents and give Army a taste of their own medicine.

There is a lot to still look forward to this season, just shut your eyes for the next three weeks.

 

[cohenzone]

Go watch Zion's high school tape. He is a good scrambler and he throws well on the run.

I just can't get over how people think a true freshman QB in his 2nd start with a short handed WR corpse with apparently no fully healthy backup QB should be much better than we have seen so far. I do believe we would have seen a more dynamic offense with Roberson as he is more experienced and the QB depth was better with a healthy Turner the backup and we would have seen more QB runs.

UConn has allowed 1.33 sacks per game through 3 games, so I think Turner and the offensive scheme are avoiding sacks. Last year, UConn allowed 3.33 sacks per game and was ranked 120 out of 130 schools.

He is throwing almost all very short quick passes. Unlikely sack plays. He has had at least two plays where he was sacked and fumbled on deep drops with rushers coming straight at him. Sidestepped neither. He doesn’t have, at least not yet, the sense of when to use his feet. We all want him to succeed, but most of the heavier hitters on our schedule are in the first 6 weeks. Pommekhan looked more ready last year. And Turner was not supposed to be the starter as far as the coaches had planned. So to me it’s ridiculous to be dumping on Mora already.

 

[LBird33]

With all due respect ... at this point this sounds like a broken record.

Would you prefer RE2. Back ???

 

[Go Dogs!!]

Disappointing game last night for sure. I know it's not one thing, but I would like to see what the next guy up can do at QB. Need to stretch the field some how and maybe he can do it. You don't know if you don't try.

 

[CL82]

This Isn't Working​

Omg, you are breaking up with us?!

 

[SubbaBub]

This. The passing offense is unbelievably pitiful. But we haven’t seen enough to put the majority of the blame on Charlton or Turner. They clearly have no faith in our receivers — possibly with good reason — or in the ability of the right side of our OL to pass protect.

We suck passing. No doubt. But I think it will take a little more time to pinpoint what the real problem is. It may be all four (QB, Receivers, OL and coaching) and it may only be one.

I'm not in agreement here. If you look just at the quality of the balls being thrown, they are off. They are late or are never thrown at all. The fumble was inexcusable and indicative of the lack of poise that isn't going to suddenly appear after any number of games. If it was the receivers, there would be more drops or route mistakes. The staff is obviously limiting the risk because they see the same thing and are either hoping it works out because they think there is upside or they don't think there are better options. Even the analyst in last night's broadcast was wondering out loud how long Mora can stick with Turner. We keep hearing about injuries, but Millen played quite a bit. We have no official word on Tyler Phommachanh that I'm aware of.

We started this season being told by many here that all these guys are close. If that's the case we should be playing them because the play has been unacceptable, even for us.

 

[Coach J]

Our lack of size in our secondary is a major issue. We are never going to competitive with these major football programs until we get much bigger athletes in are secondary.

The good news is the top 3 or 4 of our recruits for next year are secondary players.

 

[huskymedic]

We keep hearing about injuries, but Millen played quite a bit. We have no official word on Tyler Phommachanh that I'm aware of.

We started this season being told by many here that all these guys are close. If that's the case we should be playing them because the play has been unacceptable, even for us.

Millen is coming off his second throwing shoulder surgery since 2019. I don’t fault the staff for being cautious with the depleted QB depth. Buying time for continued healing amongst Millen & Phommachanh seems to be the plan.

 

[Coach J]

He was arrested

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Well that explains that, now we literally down 3 of our top 4 WRs. Those are tough breaks, but A. Turner has speed as evident his TD run yesterday and so do our backs - have them run some flys or fades and take a shot once and a while if for nothing to keep the defense from completely loading the box.

 

[jdb50]

This. The passing offense is unbelievably pitiful. But we haven’t seen enough to put the majority of the blame on Charlton or Turner. They clearly have no faith in our receivers — possibly with good reason — or in the ability of the right side of our OL to pass protect.

We suck passing. No doubt. But I think it will take a little more time to pinpoint what the real problem is. It may be all four (QB, Receivers, OL and coaching) and it may only be one.

Zion has the arm strength just judging by the 3 long throws in the first 2 games. One at Utah St and the two towards the scoreboard against Central. All were catchable with a top level receiver. I did not pay attention enough to see if we were getting any separation at wideout. Aron Turner in most offenses would be in the slot. He can play and I am glad he is stepping up. Using a tight end would be nice off play action as we are run heavy or a two receiver combo route downfield while all else help in protection. I think the coaches are trying to get first downs and not get in 2nd and 3rd and long. It is where we are without now our top 3 wideouts.

 

[Husky68]

Would you prefer RE2. Back ???

With the play calling wasn't sure if he snuck back onto the sidelines.

 

[ZooCougar]

I just think many of you were not realistic. Many of you were counting Cuse as a victory and not a maybe win but a win. Not sure where that came from but this was everyone's reality check. Mora stated before the season started that expectations needed to be tempered. Syracuse has a massive OLine that easily manhandled our defense. It was not a winnable game to start with.

As for Zion, I just think he was thrown into the fire before he was really ready. He's a true frosh who needed this year to adapt and learn. Playing in live games is not the learning he needs and right now we're seeing that. I still believe he is the future QB but I just hope this year doesn't set him back.

Finally, the comments about us not getting 3-4* recruits is no longer applicable. We may pull a 3* or two but Mora knows how to use the portal and that is how you build a roster now in CFB. He will, and needs to, build depth through it and try to retain players from leaving as best he can.

Many of you are still having instant reactions and I get it. However, we need to step back and realize that this team was never going to win more than 2-3 games. Losing our QB1 and starting 2 WR makes that goal of 3 even harder.

I think the unrealism was off the charts.

 

[BigTenFan]

We’ve been saying that for about 10 years. My hope was speed was going to be to our advantage over the big guys. It isn’t.

The problem is the power Five Schools players have both size and speed. Lots of players out there - we just need to get them here. When Georgia Southern, Marshall, Appalachian State, Washington State all win on the same weekend - there is hope.....

 

[RSTuthill]

The sky is not falling. This will take awhile. Let's hold it together folks and get through the next three games with no one in the fan base committing themselves. The SA's are gonna learn a lot. Maybe we can too.