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Saturday practice observations

Practice 12 is in the books and by this time next week we will be getting ready to watch and than overly dissect a spring game and see if we can find any indication of what season is in store. I am going to say this now. The spring games means nothing because last year’s UConn’s passing attack looked like the 45 points a game offense that Zach Frazer promised. Huskies got to the Fiesta Bowl, but it wasn’t on the passing game.

So, going to practice I decided to concentrate on a couple of positions today outside of quarterback (more on that latter). I wanted to see how the linebackers move (very good) and I wanted to take a look at the wide receivers and see if I see anything.

Now, a lot has been made and written about UConn’s struggles at wide receiver barring Marcus Easley’s “Joe Hardy” like run in 2009. Barring that, the Huskies have been among the least productive and explosive teams in the passing game in the FBS.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2011/04/09/saturday-practice-observations/

Today in the JI

Almost forget. Here's today's JI.

Huskies prepare to face to music

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — University of Connecticut assistant head coach Hank Hughes won’t be appearing on “Dancing with the Stars” any time soon.

But the long-time defensive coach was thinking of dancing when he started to analyze how potent and explosive the Oklahoma offense is. The challenge of playing the Sooners and their no-huddle attack reminded him of a dancing course he took as an undergrad at Springfield College.

“I was a phys ed (physical education) major in college, and we had to take different physical education classes and square dance was one of them,” Hughes said. “The guy was a Hall of Fame wrestling coach and taught the class. He would talk us through the moves and then turn the record on.”

That’s when things became difficult.

“When (the music) starts happening quick, how quickly can you respond?” Hughes said.

Familiar name calling plays for Sooners

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Oklahoma Sooners co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel doesn’t feel like a football player anymore.

The former quarterback is one of the most storied players in Sooners history, having passed for 7,456 yards and 53 touchdowns in his career.

Heupel was a Walter Camp Award winner, the Associated Press National Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2000. He capped off that historic season by leading the Sooners to the national championship before he embarked on a brief NFL career.

Heupel is back in the spotlight in Norman these days. He took a major step in his coaching career when head coach Bob Stoops promoted him to co-offensive coordinator in early December.

Fiesta Bowl Tuesday Part II

Joe Moorhead talked a lot about the UConn offense and what it likes to do and what it is. The paltry passing numbers this season are indicative of the loss of Marucs Easley. No other explanation. The Huskies catch the ball, but there is not that big play threat. UConn is running the same percentage of runs and passes, the aerial attack just isn't as explosive.

"We don’t have the balance this year like last year," Moorhead said. "Last year we were second in the conference in passing and we still maintained our rushing effectiveness. This year our passing numbers have slipped a little bit, but, when you have an All-American running back and three all-conference offensive linemen those are what your are going to lean on to win games.
“We are still 55 percent run and 45 percent pass. We aren’t running it anymore than we have last year. But, losing Marucs Ealsey and the big play capability that he brought about that’s where the yardage has gone. Mike Smith, Kashif More and Ryan Griffin have totaled highest receptions in their career.
"The fabric of each game and each season is woven differently. We have relied on the run more this year.”

As I said earlier, the Huskies have a puncher's chance in this game because of a big and physical offensive line.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2258

UConn's Puncher's chance

UConn is a big underdog and no one expects the Huskies to defeat Oklahoma.
Coming out of the press conference on Monday I thought there was no chance for the Huskies at winning. The OU offense is that explosive.

Now, I just left today’s press conference which was UConn offense and OU defense.
Now, I am waffling. The Huskies are the big underdog, but they have a puncher’s chance.

UConn’s one shot at this game is going to be doing it like they have all season — running down OU’s throat.
The Big 12 is a spread league, and the only team that is a run downhill team like UConn is Nebraska. The Huskies’ offensive line is big a nd physical and we are going to know early on if this is going to be a long day for the Huskies, or a good day.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/12/28/uconns-punchers-chance/

Fastbreak football

Oklahoma runs a no huddle offense and the difference between Oklahoma and everyone else is staggering. The Sooners have run 1,131 plays this season. The second most plays this season for a team is Troy with 997, also in 13 games. That’s 134 more plays from scrimmage than any other team this season and with an average of 70 and 8 plays per game, the Sooners have had two more games worth of offensive plays more than most of their opponents.

The numbers that no huddle attack puts up is staggering. Landry Jones has 4,289 yards passing and 35 touchdowns. Ryan Broyles has 118 catches and 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns while running back Demarco Murray has 1,121 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.

Here is wide receiver Broyles on that high-octane offense.

“It’s one of the greatest in the country,” Broyles said. “We don’t huddle and we use our time well. We can get mismatches on substitutions. I am glad we are in this offense.

“We don’t drop back on defense (like basketball), but we run and gun and keep the pressure on the defense.”

“You can’t prepare for it. A team ran extra sprints to play us – that’s weird– and guys on the field are like – What are you doing? You are going too fast?”

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/12/27/fastbreak-football/

Lang out, Generett in

Tough blow with the defense as safety Mike Lang is out for the Fiesta Bowl as an academic casualty. Harris Agbor has started at free safety for most of the season, but Lang has had a ton of action and was seventh on the team in tackles with 41.

Agbor has 34 tackles and four sacks.

Here's Coach Hank Hughes on the adjustment.

"Harris has been the guy that has been the regular there and Mike subbed in," defensive coordinator Hank Hughes said. "We are confident with what Harris can do. It hurts us in terms of depth at the position. Harris has been the regular there for most of the year," UConn defensive coordinator Hank Hughes said.

Some other injury news. Scott Lutrus is feeling better and he did confirm he had surgery on the left hand before the South Florida game. Lutrus said it still hurts, but he it is much better than South Florida, where he played.

Got some great stuff this morning from Hank Hughes, Lawrence Wilson, Lutrus and Kendall Reyes.
Saturday's game will be all tempo. OU has run about 200 more plays this year than anyone else in the county.
Will be back in a little bit. 

For all you snowed in people, I am at a resort that is in Paradise Valley.

Gotta pay the bills. Be back later.


Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2245