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.
Agree with some of comments about the game. Was very apathetic, went anyway, and was miserable.
You seem to be very focused on every game being some indication or measure of UConn’s P4 candidacy. This game meant nothing in that regard.
Yes, this game sucked. It was a tough matchup for UConn even at full strength. Players weren’t excited to be there. It was cold and Army plays a style that is punishing. The field itself looked cold, hard, and unforgiving.
The fact UConn has players sitting is because that’s the new normal for CFB Bowls not part of CFP, especially if players have NFL aspirations or transfer portal plans. That’s not just a UConn thing. this is same thing happening across the board to all schools. And then throw in coaching change. UConn was always in a tough spot once Mora announced his departure. Again, not unique to UConn.
And the fans still showed up! Over two seasons UConn has sold better in Boston than BC. That’s a positive that will mean something to P4 committees.
Yes, disappointed. But not with UConn really. Yeah, would be great if team was jacked for game like last year. But situation is different with coaching change and half team in portal. Is what it is.
I’m more upset with CFB/ESPN who want to sell inferior product and meaningless games to fund P4 media deals all while touting that only 10 teams should even be considered for NC in any given year. It’s a sham that is starting to be exposed by players and fans. UConn is just trying to navigate from a position of zero leverage.
