We’re wearing the wrong shoes.

[ZooCougar]

The guys are slipping all over the place. The OP simply made a factual observation. I would assume this is something that's researched for every game but maybe it was the short week between games. Even SK on the option run. Cut and fall.

Short week? You mean the 600 day long week?

 

[Jimdish255]

You guys, stop. This cannot be a serious conversation

Because you don't like it'? Maybe move on to another thread that makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
Not sure if you get the fact that materials change drastically when the temps are extreme. I've had running shoes that were too stiff to run on in the winter but softened up considerably in the 80's.

 

[JMick]

Short week? You mean the 600 day long week?

it had to be sarcasm. it had to be.

 

[ZooCougar]

it had to be sarcasm. it had to be.

God I hope so.

 

[Palatine]

It's not an excuse then it's 31-0.

There's a difference between an observation and an excuse.

 

[Dean Wormer]

Let’s give HCRE more $$$ to hire a footwear coach. That would really get us on the right track! (pun intended)

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Unfortunately, over the past two years, the Covid virus did more to make itself stronger than UConn.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

You can be both terrible at football and also falling all over the place. OP never claimed we would've won otherwise. I thought it was an interesting observation.

 

[sub legacy]

This is where we are at folks. 2 years off to make gainz, thwarted by… footwear. Embarrassing.

 

[CTMike]

He’s not wrong.

 

[Hoophound]

The shoes were an issue. Fresno had backup shoes in every size in case they were actually melting. They dealt with it before. Melting. We suck, but we were slipping every time our guys planted their feet to explode. I have a feeling they felt like they were wearing plastic cleats on asphalt.

Regardless, this blowout is on Randy for playing 1940’s football and choosing the QB that doesn’t have basic fundamentals down. What a mess.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Because you don't like it'? Maybe move on to another thread that makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
Not sure if you get the fact that materials change drastically when the temps are extreme. I've had running shoes that were too stiff to run on in the winter but softened up considerably in the 80's.

My Nikes came apart earlier this summer, granted they had had about a year of usage. They were Air Max 360’s, ran in mid morning with forecast highs of 96-98, air temps were about 88-89 when I ran, the upper sole separated from the bottom sole. Had pair of flip flops. Lol. Bought some silicone adhesive and carefully pressed them together, using a cement block. Gave me another week of usage until I had to get rid of them.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

He’s not wrong.

Not wrong about what? That they DID get blown out? I would’ve asked, why on earth did you not take JZ out and put in SK? I also would have asked who was responsible for the stupid play calling? Did you practice on this field a day or two before game time?

 

[uchusky32]

The announcers said that Fresno had back up shoes in case there soles melted.

 

[Nostical]

45-0 was an embarrassment of incredible proportions. After all, we were all expecting a much better effort, even with the outcome being a probable loss. But the question hangs out there—was that outcome the true reflection of our abilities? I say no way.
And well, well. After the game one of our players said playing on that field was “like playing on ice”. When your feet are unstable everything is affected, the QB throwing the ball, the O line blocking up front, the RB’s and DB’s making a cut, you name it. Fresno had the cleats to deal with it. “They were driving on snow tires while our tires were bald”. “No traction—no reaction”. “Picture a sidewalk after a freezing rain, you’re in dress shoes trying to chase a guy who stole your wallet.”

Now, was that why we lost the game? No. For one, Giufre’s play calling was abysmal. But did the slick field contribute to a sickening 100 yd offensive day and a 45-0 outcome? Absolutely. There’s no question it was a factor. Perhaps even more so than my original observation. .
There’s a reason we’re so upset. It’s like the Twitter guy said” You had two years to prepare for that game.” My sense is that the initial proof of our improvement will come Saturday when we clobber Holy Cross. Let’s see how we play over the next few games. I’m betting we’ll be much improved and look back on Fresno as the 120 degree aberration that it was. If I’m wrong, I’ll deservedly suffer the slings and arrows—but I’m pretty sure I’m right.

 

[uconnfan68]

There’s a reason we’re so upset. It’s like the Twitter guy said” You had two years to prepare for that game.”

This was all that needed to be said.

 

[Jimdish255]

I really should let this go but CLEARLY Fresno was expecting heat and turf related issues. I can't access the Fresno Bee article but I'd love to see the condition of UConn players shoes after they unwrapped.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I'm betting we’ll be much improved and look back on Fresno as the 120 degree aberration that it was. If I’m wrong, I’ll deservedly suffer the slings and arrows—but I’m pretty sure I’m right.

I'll give you credit for this, after a decade of being wrong on nearly every single prediction, you keep coming back for more.

 

[Yup!]

Relax man it was just one game, 2yrs of preparation isn’t enough. Actually, we were pretty much dominating the first 20mins against a top notch offense in Alab.. oh I mean Fresno State who were killing it on offense with one of the toughest schedules last year. Not to mention a team full of NFL stars 45-0 should of been expected. I really don’t know how high your expectations was, but give it a break it was one game. On to Holy Cross!!!

(sarcasm guys)

 

[Yup!]

This was all that needed to be said.

Exactly what team gets two years to prepare for their opponent? Almost unfair. And we still got smacked

 

[Chief00]

Yes it was. Mensah and Carter were slipping on all of their cuts. I'm not saying it would have resulted in significantly more yards, but the RB were definitely slipping in the first quarter.

The shoes did not execute. The coaching staff put them in position to succeed.

 

[huskymedic]

I really should let this go but CLEARLY Fresno was expecting heat and turf related issues. I can't access the Fresno Bee article but I'd love to see the condition of UConn players shoes after they unwrapped.

View attachment 69528

From the Bee:

-> Fresno State held several high school camps over the summer with at least some work done on the artificial surface inside Bulldog Stadium. The turf installed in 2019 includes an infill that substantially reduces temperatures on the field. But at one event, with the air temperature around 105 or 106 degrees, several campers had problems with their footwear. The cleats or soles of their shoes would tear away from the rest of the shoe. It happened several times, Bulldogs coach Kalen DeBoer said.

An already well-worn shoe would likely play into that, and Fresno State hasn’t had any problems in fall camp, though most of its practices have been on the grass field adjacent to Bulldog Stadium. But even with an 11 a.m. kickoff it is not going to take any chances, either. The Fresno State equipment staff, DeBoer said, will have several extra pairs of shoes on the sidelines, just in case. <-

 

[RSTuthill]

I am tempted to give my youth sports speech. Most sports are done primarily with the feet. Pitching a baseball, catching a fly ball, turning a double play, checking a player in hockey, hitting a tennis ball, yadda yadda yadda. Move your feet!! Applies to tackling too. Head and feet mostly, with the arms relatively little to do. Head for anticipation, feet to drive the body to the right place. Can't wrap up a tackle if you are reaching from distance all the time.

I haven't reviewed any of the game, and I am not likely to given my schedule. But I would not discount the OP unless I had taken the time to review the footage that he has.

 

[Nostical]

I would not discount the OP unless I had taken the time to review the footage that he has.

Whether or not anyone wants to watch the replay, others around the country noticed.
"On Fresno's first offensive touchdown, UConn's DB slipped, spun and stumbled like a drunken dervish."
"I just watched game on YouTube. DL being pushed back because of slipping."
"OL has no footing. UConn coaches unprepared for this."
"Huskies are slipping out there."

Ever wonder why after a competitive 1st Q, we fell into the abyss? While the Fresno players in their appropriate footwear could still cut sharply, playing on that molten field finally turned our football cleats into hockey skates. And the game got away from us. More precisely, it slipped away from us. I'm not saying we lost just because of our lack of footing, but it was a huge factor in turning the game into a 45-0 embarrassment. We barely had over 100 yards of offense. You really think that's what we're destined to be? When you don't have solid footing it impacts how--and how fast--you react. Whether a running back or a DB, you become tentative on cuts when traction is tough. And try throwing a long pass with your back foot sliding, even ever so slightly. Think it might affect accuracy, even a little bit?

But enough of my beating a dead horse, because now we're back on solid ground. Our playmakers on both sides of the ball can and will perform with greater confidence. We all know this is a crossroads game if we've ever seen one. The players and coaches all know we need to win decisively on Saturday, not only to set the tone for the season--but to shut up all the naysayers who were laughing at 45-0 and wondering aloud if and why we're still playing the sport. So we're not losing to Holy Cross. Not even close. And if you ever longed for the perfect opportunity to clean up, UConn at -2.5 is staring you in the face.

 

[blue93]

I think would’ve gotten slaughtered regardless, but there’s no doubt we were slipping. It was clear in the pre-snap motion alone.

 

[Nostical]

Here's my final point on the subject. I promise.

It's one of many visuals that illustrate my premise. Some of you have been skeptical of the magnitude of the impact our horrible footing had on the ability of our players to perform. Watch as our DB, #7 Tre Wortham, tries to set his foot to break back on the ball. Watch it a few times. It helps explain 45-0 and 107 total yards. That's not happening on our field this Saturday. Go Huskies. Crush Holy Cross!

"On Fresno's first offensive touchdown, UConn's DB slipped, spun and stumbled like a drunken dervish."
file:///Users/lawrencecohen/Desktop/UConn%20v%20Fresno%20-%20SD%20480p.mov

 

[Nostical]

Oops. Try this.

 

[huskymedic]

Here's my final point on the subject. I promise.

It's one of many visuals that illustrate my premise. Some of you have been skeptical of the magnitude of the impact our horrible footing had on the ability of our players to perform. Watch as our DB, #7 Tre Wortham, tries to set his foot to break back on the ball. Watch it a few times. It helps explain 45-0 and 107 total yards. That's not happening on our field this Saturday. Go Huskies. Crush Holy Cross!

"On Fresno's first offensive touchdown, UConn's DB slipped, spun and stumbled like a drunken dervish."

file:///Users/lawrencecohen/Desktop/UConn%20v%20Fresno%20-%20SD%20480p.mov

Is this the video you’re trying to post?

 

[CL82]

I think would’ve gotten slaughtered regardless, but there’s no doubt we were slipping. It was clear in the pre-snap motion alone.

I've wondered if it contributed to the overthrows.

 

[Jimdish255]

Whether or not anyone wants to watch the replay, others around the country noticed.
"On Fresno's first offensive touchdown, UConn's DB slipped, spun and stumbled like a drunken dervish."
"I just watched game on YouTube. DL being pushed back because of slipping."
"OL has no footing. UConn coaches unprepared for this."
"Huskies are slipping out there."

Ever wonder why after a competitive 1st Q, we fell into the abyss? While the Fresno players in their appropriate footwear could still cut sharply, playing on that molten field finally turned our football cleats into hockey skates. And the game got away from us. More precisely, it slipped away from us. I'm not saying we lost just because of our lack of footing, but it was a huge factor in turning the game into a 45-0 embarrassment. We barely had over 100 yards of offense. You really think that's what we're destined to be? When you don't have solid footing it impacts how--and how fast--you react. Whether a running back or a DB, you become tentative on cuts when traction is tough. And try throwing a long pass with your back foot sliding, even ever so slightly. Think it might affect accuracy, even a little bit?

But enough of my beating a dead horse, because now we're back on solid ground. Our playmakers on both sides of the ball can and will perform with greater confidence. We all know this is a crossroads game if we've ever seen one. The players and coaches all know we need to win decisively on Saturday, not only to set the tone for the season--but to shut up all the naysayers who were laughing at 45-0 and wondering aloud if and why we're still playing the sport. So we're not losing to Holy Cross. Not even close. And if you ever longed for the perfect opportunity to clean up, UConn at -2.5 is staring you in the face.

Everything isn't a conspiracy theory. I didn't watch the whole game but noticed it immediately. Sometimes you just have to believe your eyes.