I have a lot of good stuff I will get to later, but the Huskies were fired up after the win here today.
UConn has the core returning, 18 starters or one time starters, roughly on the team and this game is a spring board for the 2010 season. They should get Top 25 preseason votes next year if anyone is paying attention.
On the defense, the Huskies switched things up if you haven't noticed. The Huskies were a much more pressure team and brought the linebackers on zone blitzes with regularity. South Carolina couldn't adapt. The front 4 was terrific with Kendall Reyes and Jesse Joseph having monster games. Lutrus was aggressive at linebacker and Garcia never really had time to throw and exploit UConn's secondary.
This isn't going to be a temporary thing. Edsall said that they looked at the personnel and decided that is the type of defense they need to be. UConn can't sit back and stifle teams with their front four and they were much more aggressive today.
Here's Lawrence Wilson
"It felt good to finally play well," Wilson said. "They all palyed hard and we got pressure on the quarterback all day. That is one of the main reasons we won.This is the most complete game we played this year."
Wilson played well and had a sack, perhaps it was the homemade BBQ that his father snuck into his hotel room last night.
As far as Dixon and the offense, Dixon was the workhorse. He earned that MVP honors by grinding the ball on the ground. USC's defense is terrific, but the Huskies were almost stubborn with running the ball and wore them down just enough.
Edsall was emotional talking about Dixon after the game.
"When you have a guy like Andre, 33 carries, 126 yards, What a way for him to go out. He gets over 1,000. All week long I watched him practice and he had a bounce in his step. He was ready to go. And when you get a guy like this and you get a big offensive line like we have, and you keep pounding it, you wear people down."
I have a lot more that I will hash out late.
The Huskies have a bowl win, are 8-5, and have a ton coming back. This could be the start of something special in 2010.
Happy New Year, time to pay the bills
Showing posts with label Papajohns.com Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Papajohns.com Bowl. Show all posts
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Game Day USC
Traffic is building up and its cold down here in Birmingham. I can't believe how cold it is, I was expecting mid 40s, but it is freezing here and has been the last day or so. Last night the wind chill had to be in the 20s. Cold snap has gripped the entire U.S. I guess.
I am for establishing a lower tier bowl game at the equator. Let's call it the Amazon Bowl, sponsored by Amazon.com, and play it in the rain forest.
As far as game day goes the paucity of UConn fans is alarming. This is going to be a Gamecock homegame. I see sporadic people around, and there is allegedly 4,500 tickets sold/distributed. The number of actual UConn fans down here is much less than that. That's too bad, but in defense of Nutmeggers, the Notre Dame game traveled well and Birmingham is a difficult place to get to from Hartford. All the flight I looked at were $500+ out of Bradley. Still, bowl reps don't want to hear that so UConn has some work to do in this area or it's Yankee Bowl forever.
As far as today's game, I don't have a good feeling. I felt better about this game but as the week has wore on the SEC is looking stronger. West Virginia lost, PIttsburgh held on and Cincinnati was annihilated.
This is a big game for Big East credibility, the Huskies have to put up a good showing.
It's also an important game for UConn. This is the first game for next season and a win here will get them on the cusp of the Top 25 preseason next year. UConn at 8-5, with a 4 game winning streak and 18 starters back is an attractive team to pick to contend for next year. But, the Huskies have to prove it again today.
This is a measuring stick game for the Huskies and their program. It matters today.
Going to hit the media buffet, I be back before kickoff.
I am for establishing a lower tier bowl game at the equator. Let's call it the Amazon Bowl, sponsored by Amazon.com, and play it in the rain forest.
As far as game day goes the paucity of UConn fans is alarming. This is going to be a Gamecock homegame. I see sporadic people around, and there is allegedly 4,500 tickets sold/distributed. The number of actual UConn fans down here is much less than that. That's too bad, but in defense of Nutmeggers, the Notre Dame game traveled well and Birmingham is a difficult place to get to from Hartford. All the flight I looked at were $500+ out of Bradley. Still, bowl reps don't want to hear that so UConn has some work to do in this area or it's Yankee Bowl forever.
As far as today's game, I don't have a good feeling. I felt better about this game but as the week has wore on the SEC is looking stronger. West Virginia lost, PIttsburgh held on and Cincinnati was annihilated.
This is a big game for Big East credibility, the Huskies have to put up a good showing.
It's also an important game for UConn. This is the first game for next season and a win here will get them on the cusp of the Top 25 preseason next year. UConn at 8-5, with a 4 game winning streak and 18 starters back is an attractive team to pick to contend for next year. But, the Huskies have to prove it again today.
This is a measuring stick game for the Huskies and their program. It matters today.
Going to hit the media buffet, I be back before kickoff.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year quick check in
Don't have much time, hope to blog later today though I have spent an inordinate amount of time out of the hotel room...but the Huskies did have to send two players home today.
Freshmen Marcus Aiken and Tim Williman, both sitting out as redshirts, have been sent home for an unspecified violation of team rules. UConn coach Randy Edsall talked to us for about 5 minutes at the final walk through, and said that they were already on planes back to Storrs.
As far as the rest of the day, Huskies will be at a pep rally at 5 p.m. and if your in Birmingham there is street fair at the 5 points.
Hope everyone had a Happy New Year.
Freshmen Marcus Aiken and Tim Williman, both sitting out as redshirts, have been sent home for an unspecified violation of team rules. UConn coach Randy Edsall talked to us for about 5 minutes at the final walk through, and said that they were already on planes back to Storrs.
As far as the rest of the day, Huskies will be at a pep rally at 5 p.m. and if your in Birmingham there is street fair at the 5 points.
Hope everyone had a Happy New Year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's Eve Birmingham blogging
Going to head with the team to the civil rights institute in about 20 minutes, but a bit of a practice update.
The Huskies had their final practice today (tomorrow is a walk through) and as is custom, the seniors switched jerseys. The most striking was seeing Andre Dixon wear 73 and Dan Ryan try and fit into the NO. 2. Running back and offensive linemen sizes are different.
Practice ends with the seniors lining up and the entire team greeting them.
As far as Saturday, the Huskies are confident and excited. The know what they are and the month off has done them well. As far as hostility of the fans with this being SEC country, Randy Edsall first said that West Virginia is one of the most hostile places in the country, and that perhaps their are a bunch of Alabama fans who won't want to see USC win.
There is plenty I have from Lawrence Wilson, Zach Frazer and Lutrus as well as Edsall, but I will leave you with a couple of notes.
Casey Turner, QB, wasn't the only person leaving the program. Defensive tackle Scott Shultz has left the team as has Zac Zielinski.
The Huskies also left wide receivers Brian Parker and freshman Mike Lang home because of grades. Parker was academically ineligible this year, and was also stabbed outside the student union the night Jasper Howard died.
Lang was a true freshman who actually worked his way on to special teams and in the rotation. He didn't make the grade, and he is also not here.
Lastly, freshman Dwayne Difton wasn't in uniform for practice because he is struggling with an infection in his arm. He is on antibiotics, and isn't cleared to play yet.
Everything else is status quo.
Short update, I will be back when I get back from the institute.
The Huskies had their final practice today (tomorrow is a walk through) and as is custom, the seniors switched jerseys. The most striking was seeing Andre Dixon wear 73 and Dan Ryan try and fit into the NO. 2. Running back and offensive linemen sizes are different.
Practice ends with the seniors lining up and the entire team greeting them.
As far as Saturday, the Huskies are confident and excited. The know what they are and the month off has done them well. As far as hostility of the fans with this being SEC country, Randy Edsall first said that West Virginia is one of the most hostile places in the country, and that perhaps their are a bunch of Alabama fans who won't want to see USC win.
There is plenty I have from Lawrence Wilson, Zach Frazer and Lutrus as well as Edsall, but I will leave you with a couple of notes.
Casey Turner, QB, wasn't the only person leaving the program. Defensive tackle Scott Shultz has left the team as has Zac Zielinski.
The Huskies also left wide receivers Brian Parker and freshman Mike Lang home because of grades. Parker was academically ineligible this year, and was also stabbed outside the student union the night Jasper Howard died.
Lang was a true freshman who actually worked his way on to special teams and in the rotation. He didn't make the grade, and he is also not here.
Lastly, freshman Dwayne Difton wasn't in uniform for practice because he is struggling with an infection in his arm. He is on antibiotics, and isn't cleared to play yet.
Everything else is status quo.
Short update, I will be back when I get back from the institute.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Game week
How is everyone? Hope Xmas went well. Let's just say the blog suffers when you have 2 children around the Christmas time and about 10 nieces and nephews around the holiday's to shop for. About to get back into the swing of things for the Papajohns.com Bowl this week. I must say bowl season is still kind of rough. The season just loses momentum.I understand this is the third straight year to a bowl, but at least in Connecticut, December has always belonged to the hoops teams.
Since UConn defeated South Florida, there has been only a singular media availability (Dec. 21). That makes stories rough for the bowl season. As a writer, you get into a nice rhythm during the week, and that has been blown up here. It's too bad this is getting lost in the shuffle because South Carolina-UConn interests me.
Here's what interests me. The Huskies have had a month to prepare their secondary for this game. That should help the secondary which was poor this year, especially at strong safety. The Huskies are giving up 66.7 percent completion percentage. That means 2 things all the way around.
1. Soft coverage
2. Confidence
The Huskies need to be more aggressive and more confidence. During the season it is really hard to re-tool. Randy Edsall stressed that the Huskies never get away from fundamentals, but for most of the practices let's hope the secondary has taken a deep breath and reoriented itself. Sure, the lack of a pass rush is another major reason for the passing success, but I don't think the secondary played aggressive enough.
This will be a danger point for the Huskies. South Carolina has excellent tall and athletic receivers. If the Huskies don't improve markedly on defense this will get ugly.
On the flip side, UConn's offense is for real. the Huskies have a big offensive line and dynamic running backs and a terrific wide receiver in Marcus Easley. They can get into a shootout, and Zach Frazer's confidence should be at an all-time high.
This talk of SEC vs. Big East is nice, but UConn isn't Cincinnati and South Carolina isn't Florida. This isn't some proxy war, and I don't think South Carolina's schedule gives them an advantage. UConn has played four Top 25 teams this year in Cincinnati, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and North Carolina (just fell out, but in poll for most of year), and three on the road. they lost in the last minutes to all of them.I would also count at Baylor (with Robert Griffin) and a road win at Ohio U. as good stiff tests. UConn was superior to both teams, but those were far from cupcakes on the road.
This is an important game for the Huskies. A win here would mean a 4-game winning streak headed into the offseason and with 18 starters coming back (roughly), would set the Huskies up for a nice run for next season and knocking on the door of the Top 25 preseason (UConn isn't Rutgers, Huskies will get some votes, but they don't have the machine to get them into the Top 25 preseason).
a lot of times bowl games go one of two ways. It can be looked off as a reward and a sendoff of the previous years teams. Last year was very much a sendoff for Donald Brown. This year, instead of being a reward for this season, I think it is more the first game for next year.
I think in 2010, the Huskies could have a lot to be excited about. We'll see how it plays out on Saturday.
Since UConn defeated South Florida, there has been only a singular media availability (Dec. 21). That makes stories rough for the bowl season. As a writer, you get into a nice rhythm during the week, and that has been blown up here. It's too bad this is getting lost in the shuffle because South Carolina-UConn interests me.
Here's what interests me. The Huskies have had a month to prepare their secondary for this game. That should help the secondary which was poor this year, especially at strong safety. The Huskies are giving up 66.7 percent completion percentage. That means 2 things all the way around.
1. Soft coverage
2. Confidence
The Huskies need to be more aggressive and more confidence. During the season it is really hard to re-tool. Randy Edsall stressed that the Huskies never get away from fundamentals, but for most of the practices let's hope the secondary has taken a deep breath and reoriented itself. Sure, the lack of a pass rush is another major reason for the passing success, but I don't think the secondary played aggressive enough.
This will be a danger point for the Huskies. South Carolina has excellent tall and athletic receivers. If the Huskies don't improve markedly on defense this will get ugly.
On the flip side, UConn's offense is for real. the Huskies have a big offensive line and dynamic running backs and a terrific wide receiver in Marcus Easley. They can get into a shootout, and Zach Frazer's confidence should be at an all-time high.
This talk of SEC vs. Big East is nice, but UConn isn't Cincinnati and South Carolina isn't Florida. This isn't some proxy war, and I don't think South Carolina's schedule gives them an advantage. UConn has played four Top 25 teams this year in Cincinnati, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and North Carolina (just fell out, but in poll for most of year), and three on the road. they lost in the last minutes to all of them.I would also count at Baylor (with Robert Griffin) and a road win at Ohio U. as good stiff tests. UConn was superior to both teams, but those were far from cupcakes on the road.
This is an important game for the Huskies. A win here would mean a 4-game winning streak headed into the offseason and with 18 starters coming back (roughly), would set the Huskies up for a nice run for next season and knocking on the door of the Top 25 preseason (UConn isn't Rutgers, Huskies will get some votes, but they don't have the machine to get them into the Top 25 preseason).
a lot of times bowl games go one of two ways. It can be looked off as a reward and a sendoff of the previous years teams. Last year was very much a sendoff for Donald Brown. This year, instead of being a reward for this season, I think it is more the first game for next year.
I think in 2010, the Huskies could have a lot to be excited about. We'll see how it plays out on Saturday.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Edsall in Birmingham, Cincy closes meeting
For all the Randy Edsall to Notre Dame rumors, he was down in Birmingham today at a press conference for media with Steve Spurrier.
Via AP:
Of course, Cincinnati has barred the media from its banquet tonight and Kelly will address the team privately about the ND job. AP again:
Now, there is no way Edsall is in Birmingham if he is taking the ND job in the next 24 hours. I will say, this has gotten absurd. I don't know what to believe, and no one knows much in Storrs. Perhaps Edsall was really just out recruiting the last couple of days, though I have a hard time believing Chicago is a recruiting ground. When was the last player UConn recruited from the Midwest?
Perhaps this will be over in hours, and Mr. Source (it's become a journalistic abomination) can go back to his hole and not come out until next year. Really, there is so much hot air out there and spinning and promoting I don't know what to believe.
Via AP:
Asked whether he'd interviewed for the coaching job at Notre Dame as some media reports indicate, Edsall said he won't comment on rumors or speculation about any other job. Asked whether he'd interviewed for the coaching job at Notre Dame as some media reports indicate, Edsall said he won't comment on rumors or speculation about any other job.
Of course, Cincinnati has barred the media from its banquet tonight and Kelly will address the team privately about the ND job. AP again:
CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati has barred the media from its annual football banquet, where coach Brian Kelly is expected to tell players about his talks with Notre Dame.
The university changed its media plans Thursday afternoon, a few hours before the banquet. Kelly interviewed with Notre Dame officialsthis week about becoming Charlie Weis' successor.
Now, there is no way Edsall is in Birmingham if he is taking the ND job in the next 24 hours. I will say, this has gotten absurd. I don't know what to believe, and no one knows much in Storrs. Perhaps Edsall was really just out recruiting the last couple of days, though I have a hard time believing Chicago is a recruiting ground. When was the last player UConn recruited from the Midwest?
Perhaps this will be over in hours, and Mr. Source (it's become a journalistic abomination) can go back to his hole and not come out until next year. Really, there is so much hot air out there and spinning and promoting I don't know what to believe.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Quick teleconference update
Not much to make of the conference call with a little interference from pranksters, but there was some useful info.
Edsall is out recruiting and hasn't seen the USF game tape. So that makes a lot of game questions moot. As far as the bowl, this was the one the Huskies wanted. It fits and going against an SEC team is the kind of game the Huskies want.
As far as the bowl game, the ticket allotment is 10,000 for the University and they have to sell them at $40 each. That's a hefty sale, but that's how you get these games.
The schedule is simple. The Huskies will practice late this week before taking next week off for finals. They will then practice from Dec. 19-23, go home for Xmas, and regroup in Storrs Dec. 26. They then head to Alabama on Dec. 30.
Another thing, Edsall was asked about putting an end to coaching rumors and he even declined to put an end to them. He won't even address rumors so he could deny them. And he didn't give any commitment.
"I am not going to talk about anything. I am coaching at UConn and I am here. This is a press conference on the bowl game and that's what we are talking about. I am not taking comment on rumors, innuendo, and I am not going to address those things."
You be the judge. Is Edsall trying to leave himself a way out, or is he refusing to even play the game and acknowledge his name is out there? Is it a bit of both?
That's it for now. Go order some Pizza.
Edsall is out recruiting and hasn't seen the USF game tape. So that makes a lot of game questions moot. As far as the bowl, this was the one the Huskies wanted. It fits and going against an SEC team is the kind of game the Huskies want.
As far as the bowl game, the ticket allotment is 10,000 for the University and they have to sell them at $40 each. That's a hefty sale, but that's how you get these games.
The schedule is simple. The Huskies will practice late this week before taking next week off for finals. They will then practice from Dec. 19-23, go home for Xmas, and regroup in Storrs Dec. 26. They then head to Alabama on Dec. 30.
Another thing, Edsall was asked about putting an end to coaching rumors and he even declined to put an end to them. He won't even address rumors so he could deny them. And he didn't give any commitment.
"I am not going to talk about anything. I am coaching at UConn and I am here. This is a press conference on the bowl game and that's what we are talking about. I am not taking comment on rumors, innuendo, and I am not going to address those things."
You be the judge. Is Edsall trying to leave himself a way out, or is he refusing to even play the game and acknowledge his name is out there? Is it a bit of both?
That's it for now. Go order some Pizza.
Bowl info
If you are a fan of the Huskies, it's very important to buy through the University. Here's the info.
UConn Athletic Communications --- December 6, 2009 – Huskies Accept Invitation To Papajohns.com Bowl
STORRS, Connecticut (December 6, 2009) – The University of Connecticut football team will play in the 2010 Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Jan 2, at Legion Field. The game will kickoff at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time (1:00 p.m. Central) and be nationally televised by ESPN.
UConn’s opponent in the game will be a Southeastern Conference team that will be announced later Sunday night.
Husky fans can being ordering tickets and travel packages beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 8, by calling 1-888-GO-UCONN or by visiting UConnBowl.com. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets from the UConn allotment that will be donated to military members stationed in the Birmingham area and Birmingham-area youth groups.
UConnBowl.com will once again be the internet home for all bowl information pertaining to UConn and will be launched later Sunday night.
“The University of Connecticut is very proud to be brining its football team to Birmingham to play in the Papajohns.com Bowl,” says UConn Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway. “We look forward to playing an SEC opponent and enjoying the Southern hospitality that Birmingham offers to visitors. We encourage all of our fans to make the trip and support our team in its third-consecutive bowl appearance.”
The trip will mark UConn’s fourth all-time bowl appearance as the Huskies beat Toledo (39-10) in the 2004 Motor City Bowl, lost to Wake Forest (24-10) in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl and defeated Buffalo (38-20) in the 2009 International Bowl.
Papajohns.Com
Several reports including Zac Boyer over at rivals said it's Papajohns.com Bowl. He is in Storrs at the UConn hoops game, so it's from the horses mouth.
Conference call later, but it looks like Jan. 2 against South Carolina in Birmingham. That's a good spot for the Huskies.
Formal announcement later tonight. We will have all the specifics. As far the rest if the lineup, Pittsburgh to Charlotte and it looks like Rutgers to St. Petersburg and USF to Canada for the International Bowl. USF has lost 5-of-7. This is a good thing for UConn, it could have went a myraid of disastrous ways.
Conference call later, but it looks like Jan. 2 against South Carolina in Birmingham. That's a good spot for the Huskies.
Formal announcement later tonight. We will have all the specifics. As far the rest if the lineup, Pittsburgh to Charlotte and it looks like Rutgers to St. Petersburg and USF to Canada for the International Bowl. USF has lost 5-of-7. This is a good thing for UConn, it could have went a myraid of disastrous ways.
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