Live game blog Syracuse

Coin toss: Syracuse gets ball first.

First play: Carter runs left for a yard.

Update 12:11 p.m.: Cuse goes backwards first drive. great pass rush by Trevardo Williams. He bull rushes, then sheds block and sacks Paulus.  Wow. 13 yard punt by Syracuse. Wind is playing some tricks.

Update 12:15 p.m.: Kasnif Moore on a reverse goes about 8 yards for a first down and fumbles at the 1. It was fumbled by Moore while he tried to extend it was hit out of his hands out bounds. First and goal from the 2.

Update 12:19 p.m.: Wind is really blowing. The goal posts are hard. Huskies' Andre Dixon for a 4 yard TD on third down. Huskies are going to keep this on the ground. 7-0 UConn.    8 play, 25 yard drive.

Update 12:30 p.m.: OUCH. 15 YARD personal foul (hands to face) on Kendall Reyes keeps cuse drive laive. At the UConn 30 now.

Update 12:39 p.m.: Lichtenstein 26 yard field goal. Cuse goes 12 plays and uses 6 minutes. Not going to see many passess today unless the wind dies down. It's shaking the goal posts violently.

Update 12:41 p.m.: Mike Lang 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The kicks are short because of wind, and the Cuse are caught flat footed. The wind is really affecting Syracuse's special teams. UConn has had a kickoff return for a TD in three of last 4 games. Each by a different guy. Lang showed some burst and speed not allowing the special teams to get an angle and push him out.

First wrap

The wind wins the first quarter. The Huskies had a 13 yard punt from Cuse, caused by the wind, and went and scored a TD. Then, the Huskies had an 80 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The kickoff  was so short, the special teams never got down there and Lang burst through a gaping hole.

So much for Time of possession: Syracuswe 11:04, UConn 2:56. Score UConn 14, Syracuse 3.Huskies haven't really had a chance to play offense.

Update 12:53 p.m.: UConn defense allows cuse to run down the field and score. D might be a little tired, but the Huskies are getting beat on a little misdirection. 8 play 80 yard drive for Cuase. #UConn 14, Syracuse 10.

Update 1:01 p.m.: Huskies can't convert on a second and 1. All the time off for the offense has taken them out of their rhythm. Frazer has thrown only two passes, and they have only run a handful of plays. UConn's defense needs to get off the field and let the offense gain some rhythm.  Wind is a major factor.

Update 1:14 p.m.: Huskies offense can't get in rhythm. Passing game is going to struggle today, Frazer doesn't throw a tight enough ball. BTW, HUskies should run a fake punt today. On Cullen's punt if he started running he would have gained 15 yards before anyone even turned around.

Update 1:19 p.m.: Twyon Martin recovers a fumble on the pitch.Nassib hits Carter in hands, but he drops it. Huskies have ball at the Cuse 44.

Update 1:20 p.m.: Todman 42 yard TD run. Hole was wide open. Huskies have 7:48 time of possession here and are leading 21-10. Go figure. 14 rushing TD of season for Todman. Todman is over 1,000 yards this season on that play.

Update 1:25 p.m.: Wow, Huskies bring pressure. Junior comes on a blitz, but that disguises a delayed blitz from Lawrence Wilson who gets the sack.

Update 1:31 p.m.: Huskies defense just hasn't been that good today. Cuse isn't blowing up UConn, but they are moving the ball. Huskies blow this game open if the defense tightens up in the second half.

Update 1:33 p.m.: Syraucse pass play to 3 yard line. Defense just giving up too many yards. Pressure is startiung to get there, but secondary is playing soft.

Update 1:35: Paulus TD pass to Lemon. Huskies linebackers struggling on pass coverage. I take issue with the HUskies going conservative at end of half. It's difficult to throw it against the wind, but the defense isn't good and can't be relied upon.

The Huskies are playing offense like they expect the defense to stop Syracuse. Paulus is 10-12 117 yards and a TD. You can't play a field position game when your defense can't get off the field. 21-17 UConn. The defense has given up too many yards and points today.

Update 1:41 p.m.: Marcus Easley with a gorgeous one handed catch. Great throw from Frazer, even better catch by Easley. Easley is a pro wide receiver. I don't know how he hasn't played in recent years. A terrific player.

Update 1:45 p.m.: Dixon 1 yard TD run here. thank Frazer and Easley for the TD. #UConn 28, Syracuse 17.  I'll tell you what, sometimes Frazer drives you crazy, but he made a great throw into the wind to Easley. It was a one handed catch out there. Easley has 3 passes for 57 yards.

Halftime update: Huskies doing what they haven't do, but haven't played well. But, 28-17 at the half I can't complain. Great throw and great catch from Easley at the end of the half. Frazer 5-for-9 68 yards and not much asked from him. Todman has 57 yards and one big run, a 37 yard touchdown run. Dixon has six carries for 16. Yes, the Cuse defense is good. Wind is a big factor today.

Cuse's Carter has 60 yards rushing. Big thing is the passing game. Most of it is off a little misdirection and over the middle against the linebackers with Syracuse's Greg Paulus 10-1 for 117 and Ryan Nassib 3-5 33 yards. If the Huskies tighten up the defense this one is going to be in the bag. It's up to UConn's defense.

Wind is a major factor here.

Third quarter

Udpate 2:10 p.m.: Huskies get ball to start third, will be against the wind.

Update 2:19 p.m.: Chop block on third down. Syracuse declines it and allows the Huskies to go for it on fourth down and 6 from the 26 (can't kick into the win). Frazer hits Kanuch for a first down, and then Easley for a TD.

You know what? I don't want to hear any football coach say how superior they are to knowledge than the fan. What's Marrone doing? Push the Huskies back to 3rd and 26 in the wind. The last three weeks have seen some weird coaching calls. Belichick, the Yale coach, Charlie Weis kicking in inside the 5 yard line twice, Edsall not calling timeouts, the LSU game and now this?

I don't get it. No one is infallible.

Update 2:30 p.m. : Lloyd walks off hurt, Lutrus to middle Jory Johnson to the outside.

Update 2:40 p.m.: Frazer throws an INT on third down. Ryan Griffin looks lost out there today. Not a good throw, but Griffin didn't have his hands up and turned the wrong way. QBs fault, but him and Frazer don't look like they are on the same page.

Third wrap

UConn 35, Syracuse 17. But, the Cuse are at the UConn 11. The UConn defense needs to finish this game out and they are not out of the woods yet. In truth, I am a little disappointed in the defense. Wilson is having ahuge game, but Syracuse has moved the ball and I expected a little better play out of the defense. The offense? Frazer threw his ???? pass of the game at the end of the third quarter. a UConn scores puts this game away, and it was a nad interception. Still, the defense should be able to get Cuse off the field. Not a crisp performance.

Fourth quarter

Update 2:48 p.m.: Paulus 12 yard TD pass to O'dell. 4 plays 64 yards. That's not good defense. Huskies are going to have to play this fourth quarter 35-23 UConn with 14:55 left.

Update 2:53 p.m.: Dixon 45 yard touchdown run. Huskies made a great third and 6 call to run it. Dixon went left and showed his speed for a TD. Huskies have been all about the big play today. 42-24 UConn with 12:37 left.

Update 3:02 p.m.: Cuse comes right down and scores. It's too easy. UConn defense is lacking passion here. I don't see the urgency. It's a disappointing performance. Carter TD. UConn 41, Syracuse 31. 9 plays 84 yard drive in 3:10? That's way to easy and soft.  I expected UConn to play better on defense today. Of note, Paulus set the completion record for Syracuse today. He eclipsed RJ Anderson, of Plainville, for the Cuse single season completion record.

 Syracuse passing 25-32, 301 yards. Just not very good by the defense today.

Update 3:09 p.m.: Huskies go 3 and out. Kanuch had a chance on a second down pass play, but he didn't make the play degree of difficult 6. Huskies punt. Cuse has ball at its own 4 down 42-31 with 7:59 left. Plenty of time to go. Defense is going to have to win this one. Huskies have more than enough points.

Update 3:14 p.m.: UConn defense is awful. Paulus is taking the Cuse from the 4 and has them at midfield in 5 plays.

Update 3:19 p.m.: Huskies hold on 4th down. They brough pressure the last two plays, finally...Greg Lloyd is hurt and favoring one of his knees. Not sure how bad. 

Update 3:20 p.m.: Huskies have 4:30 left and the ball at their own 39. Need to close this out with a nice pounding running game.

Live Game Blog Part II

THisHalftime wrap


Somehow the Huskies are leading 7-3, which is great news considering they seem to have settled down on defense. Bill Stull carved the Huskies up in the first half and has only 3 points to show for it. The Panthers have outplayed UConn, but the gap narrowed in the second quarter. The Huskies have played bend but don't break on defense and thanks to the 79 yard TD by Marcus Easley, actually are leading Pitt in yardage at 20-5172.

Cody Endres has been very good in the first half except for his fumble inside the 10 (he got caught flat-footed when he got sacked). Endres 12-of-16 for 160 yards and a touchdown. Huskies are starting to get to Stull. The running game can grind it out if they need to.

Halftime stats: Dixon 7 rushes for 41 yards. Todman, 9 for 30. Good production.

UConn gets ball to start second half. If they can score a TD to open it will put an awful lot of pressure on PIttsburgh. Avoid the turnovers and pressure Stull, and the Huskies might be able to come out of here with a win.

Update 5:17 p.m.: HUskies get a penalty and then a loss of 8 doom the drive. The Huskies have PItt backed up at their own 9. Need to pressure Stull here.


Update 5:20 p.m.: Robert Vaughn pick 6 on Stull. PRessure by load 14-3 UConn. Wow! Balloon went out.

Update 5:30: UConn has to tighten up on D. Letdown here has allwoed PIttsburgh to come down inside the 10 to the 8. 3 downs to see where they are.

Update 5:33 p.m.: 19 yard FG for Pittsburgh. Boy, gotta question the PIttsburgh play-calling there. Just poor red zone play-calling in my opinion. Huskies luck out again, 14-6.

UPdate 5:40 p.m.: Joe Moorhead is dealing here. Incredible play-calling by the new OC. Huskies just physically blew Pitt off the ball. Dixon 2 yard TD run. 21-6 3:56 left in the third quarter. 8 plays 61 yards.


Update 5:49: Yet to see a game break. Pitt had a run inside the UCOnn 2 called back 40 yards for a personal foul. Huskies need to wrap up the Pitt RBs. These runs are broken tackles.

Update 5:52 p.m: Poor tackling on defense. Jon Baldwin gets free for a 26 yard TD. Huskies can't stop the run, and it's all broken tackles. UConn needs to get to the 4th quarter and grind it out with the ground game. 21-13 UConn end of third quarter.

Third quarter wrap

HUskies leading 21-13. Huskies defense is a little sloppy there tackling on two consecutive drives. Fourth quarter is simple, the most physical team in the fourth quarter wins this game.

FOurht quarter

Update 5:59: three and out for the Huskies. Nad job by the o-line and Mike Ryan got beat for a sack and a forced fumble. Sherman recovers but the Huskies end up punting. Here it is 13:42 remaining, Pitt ball on thier own 32. Biggest possession of the game.

Update 6:06 p.m.: Huskies need a 4th quarter pass rush. Stull getting comfortbale again. Can UConn hold on?

Update 6:09 p.m.: You think they don't miss Lutrus? Lloyd getting killed in passing game. Stull 27 yard TD pass to Dorin Dickerosn. Stull 2 point converson good. 21-21.Awful job by the UConn defense. Just awful. 7:35 left. Game is up for grabs.

Update 6:16 p.m.: Huskies go three and out again. Greg Romeus is being a terror. Huskies 21-21 with 6:!4 left. Game is in PItts hands. Can the UConn defense show up?

Update 6:11 p.m. Since leading 21-6, UConn has run 3 plays and Pitt has had 2 straight TD drives and a two point conversion. Huskies offense needs to come up big here.

Update 6:22 p.m: Huskies in trouble. The tackling has been atrocious. Had chances to stop the offense, but they can't get the player down. HUskies need to tighten up on D.

Update 6:27 p.m.: I don't know how Pitt has these receivers so open. Pitt is playing pitch and catch. Just an awful performance by the defense, as poor as I have seen since I have covered the team

Update 6:32 p.m: Generous spot. Defense comes up so small in the 4th quarter. Pitts has ball at the 2 yard line with the clock running.

Update 6:33 p.m: I would let Pitt score a TD. I don't get it. UConn is going to get the ball back with 20 seconds left and no timeouts.

Update 6:36 p.m.: 17 yard FG to win. Just a terrible job here. Huskies never get the ball back.

Update 6:38 p.m.: Field goal good. Huskies never got the ball back as they lsoe 24-21. Just an awful loss for the Huskies. Defense comes up small, and the final series was brutal.

Huskies got a lot of soul searching to do after this loss.

Live blog Pittsburgh

Coin toss: UConn has won the toss, and deferred to the second half. Back to their old habity. Want to get the defense out there.

Kickoff imminent. Place about 2/3s full. It's a 65,000 seat stadium. Won't come near that. Looks to be about 45000 here.

Update 3:41: Huskies luck out on first drive. Dion Lewis, the RB, dropped a 44 yard TD catch after he beat Lawrence Wilson. Huskies didn't really bother Stull first drive but lucked out and got the ball inside the 10.

Update 3:39 p.m.: I guess the ball can't break the plane of the endzone on a touchback. Different than NFL rule, but I thought Huskies had downed it inside 5. McClain never went into endzone, but ball crossed the goal line. That's the rule I guess.

Update 3:52 p.m.: Huskies are going to need to get pressure on Stull. He and Baldwin can get whatever they want in passing game. Stull is playing in a phone booth.

Update 3:59 p.m.: Pitt gets on board first with a 42 yard FG. Pitt 3-0. Huskies a little bit of bend but don't break. Key here is getting some kind of pressure on Stull. Badlwing is too hard to cover. 7-of-9 74 yards for Stull, and the two INC were near long TD passes. ONe was a drop, the other was break up in the endzone by Reggie McClain. Huskies need to get Stull uncomfortable.

Update 4:08 p.m: Dont like feel of this. Pitt has started to put pressure on Endres. Huskies are going to need the defense to come alive here and get some field position.

First quarter wrap

Not encouraging signs for the Huskis eceot for the 3-0 score. UConn is having trouble stopping Stull and lucked out first two possessions to only be down 3-0. Pitt is driving now. Huskies on offense are steady, but Pitt got some pressure on Endres and that led to a sack and a QB pressure. Huskies just don't have it downfield. They are taking shots, but the WRs can't get open. Mike Smith doing a nice job underneath. Huskies need to get someone open downfield or power with the running game.

Second quarter

Update 4:!5 p.m.: UConn is in for a tough day me thinks. Can't bother Stull and Howard can't cover Baldwin. Pitt at the UConn 13 after a long run.

Update 4:20 p.m.: Stull INT in enzone. The Huskies are getting killed on offense and are only own 3-0. That's a big play and keeps the Huskies in the game.


Update 4:27 p.m.: Bad news on Scott Lutrus. Stinger re-injured, done for the day. It's going to take a herculean effort now.

Update 4:30. Huskies inside the 10 and Endres is sacked and fumbles. Pitt receovers at thr 31. This is turning into a nightmare. Huskies had a chance to really put PItt behind the 8-ball. 4:33 left in half. HUskies need to get to the half down only 3-0. Big possesson here. No Lutrus.

Update 4:40 p.m.: Big play Cody Endres! 79 yard TD pass to Marcus Easley (yeah, I can't believe it either). 7-3 UConn with 2:46 left in the half.

Update 4:$5 p.m.: Huskies hold on D. Bill Stull, who the Huskies are getting pressure on, walked off holding his right hand.