Wasabi Fenway Bowl Game Post Game

[RSTuthill]

If the players don't care about the bowls, then I don't care about the bowls. The bowls have been ridiculous, with the Clemson/Penn State game one of the silliest exhibitions of half-assery I have ever seen in a college football game.

End the bowl games, and make the playoffs games with real stakes. Then make an "NIT' bracket with real dollars for each win. That would get player buy in.

I like that idea.

 

[rich1122]

Let’s see

Hockey looks to be in mid season form.
Baseball ⚾️ is right around the corner.
March Madness soon
Spring Game.

We showed up. We put Jerseys on. A couple of guys had pride. Thanks to all the fans who went.

Time to get ready for the next thing.

 

[RSTuthill]

We win by 20 with Fagnano and Bell. We couldn’t score or move the ball without Edwards.

Edwards carried the ball 11 times for 108 yards. Did he get injured or something or did he pull a Bell?

 

[Patman]

I think Notre Dame was the brunt of a lot of jokes for opting out this year, but they probably got it right. I expect that next year will have a lot more universities following suit...

People forget this is not nd's first full opt out

 

[WestCoastHusky]

It is unfortunately season ended this way. The team is shell of itself, and played like it. The Dline got mauled by b Army Oline, and was regularly pushed for 10 yards gain by the Army RB.

Bowl season is just an embarrassment at this point. It really sucks the season ended this way.

I hope Candle is working overtime to keep some of the talent in the school but I am sure he got his own plans.

 

[BKLand]

Haha, tell it like it is! That is, if you can confirm Bell didn't get hurt and chose not to participate. Bottom line, players owe nothing to fans and institution (school, fans, boosters) these days. This is true for All no? If so then all institutions feel the burn. I think as a fan, one must find something to hold onto in addition to wins and favorite players. I'm not sure what that is. I think it's loyalty and community. Easier when your boys win for sure. Great day today. Go Dogs.

 

[Jetskies]

it’s hard to maintain hope sometimes, but I want to believe that had Jim mora stayed we would have gotten a game against Washington or Minnesota, something like that. Which may have convinced our studs to run it back one last time for big10 glory. That would have been wonderful but such is life.

 

[Scoe]

I think Notre Dame was the brunt of a lot of jokes for opting out this year, but they probably got it right. I expect that next year will have a lot more universities following suit...

No ND decision was even worse. I cannot and will not support this notion that skipping out on bowl games are the right decision, understand personal decisions but doing it as a team wide decision is selfish and sickening IMO. I understand the times have changed, the system needs to change.

 

[ScottVib]

Edwards carried the ball 11 times for 108 yards. Did he get injured or something or did he pull a Bell?

They started keying on him in the second half and there wasn't running room, then they started throwing the ball and got some others in as the game was out of reach.

 

[RitzLuce1]

No ND decision was even worse. I cannot and will not support this notion that skipping out on bowl games are the right decision, understand personal decisions but doing it as a team wide decision is selfish and sickening IMO. I understand the times have changed, the system needs to change.

ND was 100% correct. They thought they deserved to be in the playoffs and didn't want to play in a bowl the team didn't want to play in. They didn't waste their fans time/money or mislead them. Watching people "understand" personal decisions (aka paid players quitting on the team) and suggesting a team opting out is morally abhorrent is hypocritical.

 

[The Viking]

went to both Wasabi's. Im shocked how many UConn fans made it to the game considering Mora bolting in the middle of the night, no Fagnano, everyone shoveling their way out this morning, knowing the temps were going to be 20ish, and knowing armys style of play on offense can be excruciating to
Watch.
Kudos to this fanbase for continuing to get up from all the variety of different kicks to our nuts we receive

 

[Rich]

If you are Bell why even bother playing? Honestly, I thought Samis once he learned of Bell's plan should have just said, 'No thanks, fam. Nice knowing you.'

 

[CTBballfan243]

Sorry, but I dont think any school considers what the players want when it accepts a bowl bid. Instead, they consider the exposure (regardless of eventual outcome) and the projected revenue. Even if they took the players wishes into account, at the time of the offer no one knows whether guys like Fagnano, Evers, and Bell are going to play.

How do fans start holding UConn’s feet to the fire about getting into a Power 4 conference? I was under the impression that it’s the conferences that are delaying this, not UConn.

Finally, I don’t think you need to be very concerned about Fagnano, Bell, etc., being hurt by what’s said about them on The Boneyard and other social media. They made decisions that are very common these days, especially since they know that they put their potential futures at risk every time they suit up, and they're being asked to play in one of the meaningless bowl games, not the CFP.

It is not up to UConn whether we get a P4, soon to be P2, invite.

 

[CL82]

Welp....

Let's move on to Coach Candle and 2026.

Actually, though it was a painful watch, it kind of got my mind right for the Candle era.

 

[CL82]

Of course Playing Bell would not have made a difference but to play one series then decide enough it’s a bad look. Especially after all his talk before the game.
While The Army QB played with 101 fever.

Meh, by showing up, he gave army more things to game plan for. In this new era of college football ball games have become meaningless. I don't love it, but that doesn't change that reality.

 

[ScottVib]

Having made it home and started to thaw out...

I mentioned it pregame... but was not optimistic about Farrar watching the warm-ups. His passes were consistently behind and had receivers stopping or waiting for them. McDonald and Smith were throwing better during warm-ups, ultimately I'm assuming that while he dressed, McDonald wasn't fully cleared for contact; Smith obviously is a walk-on. Farrar slings the ball from a 3/4 to side arm & this played into several balls batted down and he struggled to throw the ball forward (many of the completions were bubble screens). It might have been nice to be slinging the ball to Bell on those bubbles to see if he could break something with his athleticism (something Edwards did on runs throughout the first half). The play-calling the first half also did the team no favors. The trick play, then trying to force some passes even after they started to demonstrate the ability to run the ball comfortably hurt.

At 14-10 UConn was still in the game, but I hadn't felt as frustrated by the offense against a G5 team since Zion Turner's appearance in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. I was surprised they didn't do more wildcat or try more read option to force the defense to at least account for multiple potential threats when it became clear that Farrar wasn't going to stretch things deep.

Then the second half happened... on the long score to open the half, he was wrapped up twice (by Hogg at the line of scrimmage and then by three guys about 5 yards down field) and even Jones late (and great hustle for a lineman being the guy to chase down the RB 30 yards down field) had a hand down the jersey and yet they couldn't stop him... and well fom there it got painful... and cold. Really cold.



Ultimately... I'm glad I made it up, wish things had gone differently of course, but still happy to have had one last time before we wait another 9 months to see the team on the field again.

 

[Khal Drogo]

They started keying on him in the second half and there wasn't running room, then they started throwing the ball and got some others in as the game was out of reach.

Reymello Murphy #6 looked good the second half

 

[Windham4th]

I just wish it wasn't painful to watch. Serious BD/RE2.0 PTSD watching the -11 yard reception et al

 

[RSTuthill]

No ND decision was even worse. I cannot and will not support this notion that skipping out on bowl games are the right decision, understand personal decisions but doing it as a team wide decision is selfish and sickening IMO. I understand the times have changed, the system needs to change.

It is a way for the players to let the school know they are in charge now. Wait until the players start signing off on coaching hires.

 

[Scoe]

It is a way for the players to let the school know they are in charge now. Wait until the players start signing off on coaching hires.

This is what people who support these decisions to skip bowl games don't get, there's no shortage to this.

 

[BigTenFan]

Uconn has successfully navigated the NIL and transfer portal in BB with great coaching and player moves....probably the best in all of college basketball.

I just don't see the football program having the financial resources to compete at the next level. They have done very well with what they have to work with. How much will it cost to keep Cam Edward's and grab a top QB?
9- 4 is an excellent season that a lot of fan bases would love to have.

 

[Scoe]

ND was 100% correct. They thought they deserved to be in the playoffs and didn't want to play in a bowl the team didn't want to play in. They didn't waste their fans time/money or mislead them. Watching people "understand" personal decisions (aka paid players quitting on the team) and suggesting a team opting out is morally abhorrent is hypocritical.

It does not make this better so screw over guys who won't play in the nfl or who may have a shot at the nfl and screw over the band, so a personal decision should be the majority decision?

 

[fleaflicker]

There’s really nothing to discuss with the game because it wasn’t a game and the result was baked in the cake a month ago. A tragic ending to a great season. It should have never happened.

UConn never never never ever again should participate in a bowl game if our players do not want to go. Players made personal choices to put us in a position where we couldn’t win this game. And sorry this is competition. It’s about winning and losing. If we don’t want to compete. Don’t show up. And how is it that our program, in the precarious state it is in as an independent, thinks it’s too good for a bowl? Including a backup qb who fleeced Mike Burton out of 6 figures. Too good to showcase the best of the program on a Saturday on ESPN? Likely the biggest audience that saw us all year. We don’t play for a conference championship. So what are we playing for? What are the fans supposed to be invested in? Well I hope for starters we start holding UConn’s feet to the fire about getting into either the ACC or Big 12. I mean things are clearly going well for us as we feel comfortable enough to forfeit a bowl game and get worked by Army for 3 and half hours on ESPN. If the bowl doesn’t matter, something better for the fans to justify the support. Only getting us into a power 4 conference does so that should be the minimum expectation of the administration going forward. And no excuses on it this time.

Well let’s forget the fans for a second because we know us poor saps are not the focus during these times. How about what we did to our players?

Skyler Bell was trotted out to tell us he was playing and was trying to get others in the portal to play. Wall him! A hero! People wanted to build a statute for him over this news. The new Locked On UConn host gushed “this means UConn is going all in for win #10.” Well, That was never the case. Bell played one series and took his pads off. Was it done to rube fans to pay for tickets or throw off the opponent? Regardless, It was deceitful and he looks bad because of it.

Because of Bell’s warrior like decision to tell us he was playing (not true) Joe Fagano got smeared online (still going on today) as the sole quitter for 2 weeks while Bell got the statue built for him. He abandoned the team! I’m so mad at Joe! Turns out they both quit. Joe was just more up front about it.

The Candle era begins today and all will be forgotten with news of new hires and recruits. But it’s gonna be hard to forget about some of the selfishness and lies of the last month that robbed the fanbase from a proper send off for this worthy team. The fans and the team deserved better. It did not have to end this poorly.

It sure is not about the fans, the school, the team, is it. It's about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Fans are suckers for going all season to support the team and then seeing the stars walk away....Maybe all sports including professional sports should do the same. Superbowl players walk away from the game for more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...

 

[mauconnfan]

No ND decision was even worse. I cannot and will not support this notion that skipping out on bowl games are the right decision, understand personal decisions but doing it as a team wide decision is selfish and sickening IMO. I understand the times have changed, the system needs to change.

ND was right why play in these 3rd rate exhibition games, they’re awful? I mean the reality is that JMU and Tulane being in the playoffs and not ND tells you it’s not only the bowls that are screwed up by the NCAA.

It’s not a reward to go 9-3 and be selected for Fenway Park in freaking December let’s be honest. No palm trees, desert sun or anything instead 6 inches of snow? Don’t blame anyone for anything Army wanted to be there UConn not really. I mean the poor QB wasn’t close to being ready. A damn good thing that first pass in the 2nd drive was blocked at the line the replay showed a pick 6 was inevitable otherwise.

Ugly football, but almost every bowl has been the same. NCAA doesn’t care they make money no matter. But the days of the Rose, Cotton, Orange, Peach, Tangerine and other bowls are long gone. That used to be fun, it’s over!

 

[Sea Goat]

There’s really nothing to discuss with the game because it wasn’t a game and the result was baked in the cake a month ago. A tragic ending to a great season. It should have never happened.

UConn never never never ever again should participate in a bowl game if our players do not want to go. Players made personal choices to put us in a position where we couldn’t win this game. And sorry this is competition. It’s about winning and losing. If we don’t want to compete. Don’t show up. And how is it that our program, in the precarious state it is in as an independent, thinks it’s too good for a bowl? Including a backup qb who fleeced Mike Burton out of 6 figures. Too good to showcase the best of the program on a Saturday on ESPN? Likely the biggest audience that saw us all year. We don’t play for a conference championship. So what are we playing for? What are the fans supposed to be invested in? Well I hope for starters we start holding UConn’s feet to the fire about getting into either the ACC or Big 12. I mean things are clearly going well for us as we feel comfortable enough to forfeit a bowl game and get worked by Army for 3 and half hours on ESPN. If the bowl doesn’t matter, something better for the fans to justify the support. Only getting us into a power 4 conference does so that should be the minimum expectation of the administration going forward. And no excuses on it this time.

Well let’s forget the fans for a second because we know us poor saps are not the focus during these times. How about what we did to our players?

Skyler Bell was trotted out to tell us he was playing and was trying to get others in the portal to play. Wall him! A hero! People wanted to build a statute for him over this news. The new Locked On UConn host gushed “this means UConn is going all in for win #10.” Well, That was never the case. Bell played one series and took his pads off. Was it done to rube fans to pay for tickets or throw off the opponent? Regardless, It was deceitful and he looks bad because of it.

Because of Bell’s warrior like decision to tell us he was playing (not true) Joe Fagano got smeared online (still going on today) as the sole quitter for 2 weeks while Bell got the statue built for him. He abandoned the team! I’m so mad at Joe! Turns out they both quit. Joe was just more up front about it.

The Candle era begins today and all will be forgotten with news of new hires and recruits. But it’s gonna be hard to forget about some of the selfishness and lies of the last month that robbed the fanbase from a proper send off for this worthy team. The fans and the team deserved better. It did not have to end this poorly.

You're spot on re: the conference issue. Every damn day it needs to be front and center for DB et al. As for the kids, I grant them wide berth. How they handle the portal, their futures etc is intensely personal and I hope they do the best for themselves and their family. There are many kids who have limited options and opportunities. So with coach gone and interim coach probably catching a flight to Texas tonight and QB in NFL showcase mode, what did we expect?

This is especially true when Army remained essentially intact from the season because - well they are in the Army! No confusion to deal with at any level! Must be nice!

All in all, let's not detract from a successful and fun season. If you do suffer a bout of the winter doldrums, just fire up highlights of the Duke or BC game. You'll immediately feel better!