USU Post Game thoughts/Analysis

[ShakyTheMohel]

Only thing the coaches did that I questioned was not giving CM at least 1 more shot. It was successful the couple plays we gave him and we needed more offensively.

It seemed obvious that ZT wasn't completely comfortable out there, so it was odd that Millen or Tyler Phommachanh didn't get more playing time.

What I take from that is there never really was 4 "ors" on the QB depth chart. It was really only one...TR or ZT. I would assume Tyler Phommachanh still needs more recovery time. And that they don't feel Millen is ready yet.

Millen has been out of high school a few years already, so you would think he would have been a better option than the true freshman. But Charlton had more confidence in ZT.

I will say... leaving ZT out there will speed up his development. Let's hope he makes a big leap forward against ccsu.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Our O-line coach is gonna have to work quickly to figure out the RT situation, it seems Fortin also got beat of the edge when he went in at RT. In most cases, a qb should step up in the pocket if that is the case, but I’m not sure if it was just Utah De was much better or Lundt and Fortin probably need time to develop. It’s only the first game, but most important is they did not give up a sack which means they recovered to block but that won’t always be the case against good DEs.

I don’t think their D adjusted that well in my opinion, I think we should’ve kept running the ball down their throats with Carter, they had no answer for him and we should’ve then go off into playaction when they loaded the box but still run the ball. What ZT needs to do a better job is selling the fake…. Many times I saw him pull the ball for a pass too quickly instead of waiting for the running back run across him faking it like he is giving the ball to the RB. I think Charlton wants teams to load the box so it creates passing lanes, in which I think this game we did, but ZT was too slow and impatient. I expect Charlton will figure it out with ZT

The solution at RT may be as simple as keeping a TE on that side to help with the blocking before flaring out for a dump off opiton or doing the same with an RB.

With this staff I have confidence they can identify a problem and come up with a solution

 

[KembaKek]

I've got a feeling we may see some Dayne Shor vs CCSU

 

[Palatine]

The offense never reached the red zone after the first quarter. Not the end zone the red zone (20 yard line).

The UConn team that ended this game was much worse than than the team that started the game. The team that started the game could have won. The team that finished the game had no chance.

Mora has his work cut out for him. He was dealt a very bad hand on Saturday. At this point the QB situation actually looks worse than last year. On the upside, the running game is much better. On defense it's okay to play a soft zone if you can pressure the QB. Again, Mora will have to sharpen his pencil and figure something out because the Utah State QB played in a clean pocket all game.

They have enough to beat Central, duh. But there is much work to be done. The hardest part will be learning to win. They haven't experienced success for a long time. Even when things were going well against USU, they were making losing plays. They are not good enough to overcome helping the opponents. Get to 1-1 and keep grinding.

 

[businesslawyer]

BL, does this mean that you are starting to believe?

I’ll do a 241 later today or tonight. But until they were able to play 9 in the box, the running game was really encouraging. As was the effort and determination.

 

[Guru13]

The solution at RT may be as simple as keeping a TE on that side to help with the blocking before flaring out for a dump off opiton or doing the same with an RB.

With this staff I have confidence they can identify a problem and come up with a solution

I agree, because it will at least free up some time for the Qb to make a throw.

 

[giddyup]

After trashing Charlton and Zion, what would you have done differently if you were Charlton?

Trashing seems a bit much. Use the tight ends more on the last drives and look for middle of the field. Carleton fell into the trap of only passing outside the hashes for no more than ten yards plus screens. You just can’t establish a passing game using only 20% of the field. They went long I think twice all game. They never passed in the middle of the field in the 10+ - 20+ yard range.

Definitely would have switched up Zion for Millen for a series or two in the 3rd after they stalled our on the prior 6 possessions to see if he could drive the team.

 

[UConnJim]

In the 2nd Q, the offense caused most of the problems that resulted in Utah State scoring 24 points. Here were UConn’s drives in Q2:

1) 1 play, fumble, 10 seconds
2) 4 plays, -2 yards, punt 1 minute
3) 7 plays, 30 yards, punt, 2 min., 45 seconds
4) 4 plays, 4 yards, punt, 54 seconds
5) 4 plays, 3 yards, 51 seconds
6) 1 play, downed, 1 second

If UConn had even 1 sustained drive or used more clock on drives 4 and 5, Utah State doesn’t score 24 points.

Hopefully, UConn can figure out an offense that best fits the healthy QBs. That said, I was very encouraged by the game.

 

[CL82]

Other than that I liked the play calling. First time in forever it looked like we had an actual plan, well except for diaco where the plan was to run the clock out all game.

Which he executed to perfection in the navy game.

 

[CL82]

It seemed obvious that ZT wasn't completely comfortable out there, so it was odd that Millen or Tyler Phommachanh didn't get more playing time.

What I take from that is there never really was 4 "ors" on the QB depth chart. It was really only one...TR or ZT. I would assume Tyler Phommachanh still needs more recovery time. And that they don't feel Millen is ready yet.

Millen has been out of high school a few years already, so you would think he would have been a better option than the true freshman. But Charlton had more confidence in ZT.

I will say... leaving ZT out there will speed up his development. Let's hope he makes a big leap forward against ccsu.

I hear you, but we don’t know what the coaches are seeing in practice. I have confidence in the staff and if they think playing a true freshman gave us the best opportunity to win, I have to believe that there’s a reason for it.

 

[Guru13]

The offense never reached the red zone after the first quarter. Not the end zone the red zone (20 yard line).

The UConn team that ended this game was much worse than than the team that started the game. The team that started the game could have won. The team that finished the game had no chance.

Mora has his work cut out for him. He was dealt a very bad hand on Saturday. At this point the QB situation actually looks worse than last year. On the upside, the running game is much better. On defense it's okay to play a soft zone if you can pressure the QB. Again, Mora will have to sharpen his pencil and figure something out because the Utah State QB played in a clean pocket all game.

They have enough to beat Central, duh. But there is much work to be done. The hardest part will be learning to win. They haven't experienced success for a long time. Even when things were going well against USU, they were making losing plays. They are not good enough to overcome helping the opponents. Get to 1-1 and keep grinding.

you’re point on. I wanna see our dbs challenge the wr’s up the line, unless our dbs are not as physical as I thought they were

 

[hardcorehusky]

I watched Maine kill UMass last year. The offense I saw yesterday was pretty close to that offense. It was a running offense that caused the D to load the box and then go over the top. But there were screens. Charlton will work with ZT and get the passing game more down the field.

 

[kemba]

Pass protection wasn’t bad except for the RT getting blown off the edge, we gave up no sacks and not a lot of qb hits. There was one play were ZT had a lot of time to throw the ball but I guess he didn’t see the receiver. Our o-line did a good job of controlling the trenches. The team who makes the least mistakes wins the game, unfortunately for us ZT was playing against a really good team. TQ would’ve done better since he played in tougher situations before.

We also ran screens and quick hitters almost all game so that helps prevent sacks.

I agree there’s adjustments that can be made to fix the areas of where the pressure was getting in

 

[Slick]

Yes, and one is coming off a severe knee injury last year. What players on our roster used to be QB's in high school? I know Rosa is one, anyone else?

Is it too late to add a QB to the roster? It is still August, isn't Micah Leon still looking for a landing spot?

No Micah Leon !!!

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Chin Diesel]

I've got a feeling we may see some Dayne Shor vs CCSU

At what position?

 

[HuskyNan]

I’m in an airport having lunch before my flight. The restaurant has a tv turned onto a high school game replay on ESPN. During a time out, they showed highlights of the UConn-USU game, noted that the Huskies still had a chance to win late in the game, and declared UConn may be turning things around

 

[uconnfan68]

At what position?

RT

 

[Jimdish255]

Spot on analysis. Would had Chatelton’s play calling was weak. That last pick was 50% bad play calling. They were fully aware we would throw horizontally and it was just a matter of time. The screen plays are a disaster and need to be used judiciously. Once Utah understood we were running counter flows, they adjusted. Nick didn’t. Zion is no where near CFB ready. Happy feet, poor decisions, poor mechanics with low release. balls batted down. He looked like an undisciplined HS QB trying to use his athleticism to beat his opponent, but it ain’t high school and it doesn’t fly. All that said, the team looks like a credible football team. Expect teams to load the box until we can show we can develop a passing game.

If you thought Zergiotis wasn't up to the task you shouldn't be thumbs down on this summary. It's not a sin for a Freshman not to be ready and doesn't mean he can't develop into a productive starter. What it means is the coaches need to do a realistic evaluation and keep an open mind to the possibility that another guy on the roster is more ready at this point. This can not be a throw away season based on anyone's potential, upside or reputation coming in. Nothing has been earned yet.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Turner looked gassed on that entire last possession. I believe that was the reason he went down untouched on his precious reception. It also caused him to run a terrible route that lead to the final INT. Between burning through a ton of first game nervous jitters and the altitude...it sucks, but it is understandable.

 

[RSTuthill]

I hear you, but we don’t know what the coaches are seeing in practice. I have confidence in the staff and if they think playing a true freshman gave us the best opportunity to win, I have to believe that there’s a reason for it.

Yup, true, agree; but the imminence of execution sharpens the mind -- which is why some people play much better that they practice. Games, where poise is FAR more important, are much different than the practice field.

 

[businesslawyer]

I watched Maine kill UMass last year. The offense I saw yesterday was pretty close to that offense. It was a running offense that caused the D to load the box and then go over the top. But there were screens. Charlton will work with ZT and get the passing game more down the field.

People rightfully wonder if I have a life. And I guaranty you I didn’t once consider watching Maine play UMass.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I’ll do a 241 later today or tonight. But until they were able to play 9 in the box, the running game was really encouraging. As was the effort and determination.

Of greater importance: will you be in 241 next Saturday?

 

[businesslawyer]

Of greater importance: will you be in 241 next Saturday?

Absolutely.

 

[BlueandOG]

The way I look at it, there’s no one on this board who would’ve thought before the game we’d be down just 4 pts in the 4th - especially knowing both Roberson and Marion would be injured in the 1st quarter. This shows the resiliency and dog culture Mora has instilled into this program.

…and if it weren’t for that awful PI call we could’ve had a chance for the W.

Certainly encouraged, and although the injuries suck, this is a new beginning for UConn football and I’m very excited for the future!

I disagree. I had us undefeated this season and thought we would be stomping their guts out in the 4th. I've updated my prediction to 11-1.