Ouch, I know, it still hurts. That is the number of the day as the Huskies prepare for West Virginia this week.
66-21
Has UConn closed the gap from an embarrassing loss in Morgantown a year ago? That 's the question this week.
West Virginia looked light years head of the Huskies last year. Why will it be different this year.
Linebacker Scott Lutrus: "Because it's another chance."
UConn isn't running way from last year's defeat. How can you?
The question this week is how much UConn has closed the gap. They have never played West Virginia close. A win on Saturday and UConn has the inside track to the league title, and a BCS game.
Will be more late tonight or tomorrow, but here is some news and notes from the UConn-WVU Tuesday presser.
* Don't ask on the QB. Game-time decision. Zach Frazer and Cody Endres are both available (Zach has practiced). Endres hasn't heard who the starter is. He said he went out on Sunday and worked on some of those short passes where he lacked touch. Edsall wouldn't talk too much about the QB position. I am assuming its an open competition this week. When Edsall will decide? Don't know. When will we find out? Officially, Saturday. Last week the worst kept secret was that Endres was starting. But, it was all rumor and circumstantial evidence. Tough to get confirmed unless you actually go to the horses mouth.
Sometimes, I wonder why we are even here. If we can't get candor (not asking for divulging the gameplan, just some candor) on the QB situation, why even bother writing about the kicker or the role of the backup running back?
I wonder if the media just dropped off the face of the Earth if the fans or the university would miss the coverage? Hmm, are we an asset or a hassle to building the program? Would you guys miss the coverage?
What are your thoughts on this?
Those are serious questions. Not sure of the answers. Ok,off my soap box. Let's move on.
*We had a Bill Stewart teleconference and he may be the most gracious coach we have ever had on the call. He answered every question thoughtfully,and even added nuggets of his own.
As far as more passing from Pat White he had some great points. Steve Slaton, Darius Reynaud, and Owen Schmidt are gone. That's 50 percent of the offense. "No. 5 can't do it all."
He had some other thought that I will cobble together for a story later this week. He did get a little too effusive in his praise when he said they felt fortunate to share the Big East title with UConn. He then said WVU wants to "hang in and do the best it can."
A bit much.
At the end of the call we usually say goodbye to the coach and that's it. Mostguys can't hang up fast enough. Not Stewart. He thanked us for essentially letting him answer our questions on why his team isn't as good as last year.
Kid you not. So un-football coach like. Great guy. You can't fake being that genuine.
* Endres is a Pirates fan and cracked, "It's hard to be a Pirates fan." He is also a Steelers fan too. I had to ask him about the long-snapper. Endres: "How do you not have a backup long snapper?"
All right, I'll be back later with more...
4 comments:
Fans just want to hear what the coach has to say. If he doesn't want to name the QB, the fans really don't care. We're all going to find out soon enough, right?
I'd miss the coverage but I get the feeling that the UConn sports media talks about itself way too much and annoys people. The Courant is the worst at this but 99% of fans don't care about the reporter or if Edsall isn't cooperating, they just want to get the news.
The whole "controversary" about Edsall keeping Frazer from the media meant nothing to the fans but there were several columnists who wrote about it from a "woe is me" perspective. As a reporter myself...that was embarassing because it showed the disconnect of what the reporters were writing and what the readers wanted to read.
Fair points Sean. I like to be overly critical of myself. But, at what point as a news person do you ignore the big news story and report the little one?
Sports media is notorious for injecting itself into the story. I do hate doing that. I try and keep myself out of the story at all costs.
I have to agree with Sean. I really only want to know what is going on and don't need to know everything in depth. I know the QBs are similar but if WV needs to prepare for both then that is more work for them which I will be happy about. On the other side I can see it being really frustrating for the reporters. I am sure you want to write about something interesting.
This is a big statement game for Uconn. The crowd should be really into it. I just hope the tailgaters decide to take down their tents before they go into the game. Last week was a mess and I have never seen so many cars scratched or dented from flying tents.
John - I wish I remember the reporter's name but he was covering the JFK funeral and to take a different angle...he interviewed the guy digging the grave. There's always a way to write a story. Like I'd be interested if WVU thinks the gameplan will be any different based on the QB since Endres & Frazer are very similar even if Frazer has a better arm.
Guando - I think this is the biggest home game in UConn history. Last year, it was about trying to get noticed. This is the next step...a win on Saturday means our crazy Orange Bowl dreams aren't so crazy. Goin to Miami...
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