I had a nice elaborate blog post that I lost, so you are getting the cliff notes version off my thoughts from a disastrous 24-21 loss to Pittsburgh.
Pitt is the better team, but when you get a 15 point lead in the second half, and have a defense like UConn's you have to close it out.
Huskies have problems closing and no one can figure out why. Taking out the Rhode Island game, the Huskies have been outscored 40-10 in the fourth quarter. Other stats that hurt, UConn has had double digit second half leads in every game, but are 3-2. They have blown 10 points and 15 point leads in their losses. UConn should be 5-0.
Here is Edsall on the collapses and trouble in the fourth quarter.
“I can’t explain it I wish I could. In those situations you want the ball running at you or the ball at your guys so you can make plays," Edsall said. "We got young guys that are in there. We aren’t the same team as the year before.”
What's going on? Take Andre Dixon, the most perceptive player in the offense.
"It’s about having more want at the end of the game. Teams that have outplayed us at the end of the game wanted it more. As you saw from the play out there, they sustained drives we didn’t. They made the plays and we didn’t."
“We need to finish games. It comes down to want to. The preparation was perfect. It’s more want to finish games.”
Interesting that Dixon felt that. Here is Greg Lloyd. The young players need to perhaps up the level a notch.
“We came with high intensity and were doing a good job up until that fourth quarter. You got to be able to finish," Lloyd said. If you start with high intensity, and you get someone to get all the way to the third quarter and be up to finish that. They came with a better mind set then we did. They came to win and our energy dropped off.”
Did the Huskies get tired in the fourth? Lloyd says not physically
“More mental toughness than physical toughness was the thing out there,"Lloyd said Big plays when we should have had them stopped. It gets tiring on the body, bt that is not what it is. It’s mindset.”
No one was more shocked than Dixon at what transpired in the fourth quarter and second half when Pittsburgh did what it wanted offensively.
“I was surprised even to see runs being broken like that," Dixon said. "Everyone is going to get a couple of plays against you, that comes with the game, but to see that many plays broken at you – not to point fingers – I was shocked and a little surprised we usually holed people under 100 yards and stop the big plays. I was a little shocked.”
Huskies need to find a way to close or they aren't going to last too long in Big East play. Closing games should be the mantra for this team.
Other notes:
*Lot's of discussion about Edsall not ceding the touchdown there late in the game and allowing Pitt to run out the clock inside the 5-yard line and kick an 18 yard field goal to win the game. I was vehemently against doing what Edsall did, but in the intervening hours I am waffling. Why? Well, first off I just saw a kicker miss a 23 yard kick in the Florida-LSU game. Second, I can't remember an instance where a coach ceded the game. When was the last game-winning score scored uncontested? The chances are remote, but there could be a fumble, botched snap or even a missed field goal. There could be many things that could go wrong. Edsall said he never considered it.
*Don't expect to see Lutrus for a long long time. A second stinger injury, and he missed 4 weeks with the first. He couldn't make it through a half. It's Jory Johnson's job at linebacker now. This hurts a lot in the passing game because MLB Greg Lloyd is really deficient in these situations. Lutrus used to take his spot. Bad break for Lutrus, crossing finger he is ok.
*Cody Endres had a solid game and made some terrific throws. I don't think Zach Frazer is going to be able to break back in in practice. More on that in the coming days.
“I really didn’t (consider allowing Pitt to score) in that situation," Edsall said. "If you try and let someone score, then you have to drive the other end of the field with no timeouts. To do that is very very difficult.”
Still may have left Pitt score. But I am not positive now.
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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.
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.
Pre game Pitt
Setting the scene: Beuatiful day for football. It's a slight breeze coming off the Allegany River and perfect sweatshirt weather.
The Huskies come in 3-1 off a bye week and are primed to play.
Quick news:
Other things to watch out for:
Pittsburgh's pass rush: The Panthers lead the nation in sacks at 23 and the Huskies need to keep the pressure of Cody Endres. That makes ball control and offensive line play key.
Passing game: The Panthers have been shredded in the passing game at times this season noticable N.C. State in a 38-31 loss. The Huskies aren't going to turn into the Air Endres attack, but they have to throw enough to take advantage of the Panthers' weakness.
Turnovers: The Huskies can't be minus in the turnover battle. UConn can't win this game if they give up points or leave it on the field.
Quick update: Not official yet, but Mike Ryan will start at left tackle in place of Dan Ryan. We'll see what the lineup is on the way out. This is performance, no injury. Be back soon.
The Huskies come in 3-1 off a bye week and are primed to play.
Quick news:
Other things to watch out for:
Pittsburgh's pass rush: The Panthers lead the nation in sacks at 23 and the Huskies need to keep the pressure of Cody Endres. That makes ball control and offensive line play key.
Passing game: The Panthers have been shredded in the passing game at times this season noticable N.C. State in a 38-31 loss. The Huskies aren't going to turn into the Air Endres attack, but they have to throw enough to take advantage of the Panthers' weakness.
Turnovers: The Huskies can't be minus in the turnover battle. UConn can't win this game if they give up points or leave it on the field.
Quick update: Not official yet, but Mike Ryan will start at left tackle in place of Dan Ryan. We'll see what the lineup is on the way out. This is performance, no injury. Be back soon.
Game Day Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities to visit. It's a nice town and plenty to do especially downtown. Of course on this trip I didn't step outside the hotel.
I like to do a blog post when I arrive in a new destination but you can thank the Yankees for keepig the computer dark. Pittsburgh is a great town to visit, but of course my plans were shelved when I couldn't take my eyes off the Yankee game. I don't get Joe Girardi, he fouled up the bullpen like you couldn't believe. He got only 1 2/3 innings out of Joba, Coke and Hughes. That's just a waste of resources. Then brining in Rivera down 2-1 in the eighth? My god. The Yankees manager (sound like the Boss there) needs to relax and play the game.
Anyhow, this is a football blog and the more I think about it I like UConn's chances more today. The lines are all over the place. The Huskies opened +10 and now are down to around 6.5 to 6. That's a lot of money coming in on the Huskies early in the week. Arbitrage opportunity here if you got in at +10.
Why do I like the Huskies? Well, I don't think they are the favroites but they are a live underdog. I just like the way they match up against Pittsburgh. The Huskies can control the clock and as long as they manage the game they are going to be in it.
The Huskies have been superior to every team it has played this year. For 15 of 16 quarters they were the best team on the field. The key is turnovers. I like UConn's chances if the they don't turn it over and blow up (which they do at times).
This is an elimination game in the Big East. The conference has a problem because with only 7 games it is very dificult to make up a game. When you beat a team in conference the tiebreaker edge is so great that it's nearly impossible to make the game up.
Example: if UConn loses, to get to a BCS game, the Huskies can only slip up a max of one more time and go 5-2. And, for that to happen, PIttsburgh would have to go 3-3 over the remainder of its schedule.
I would say 6-1 wins the Big East this year, that's the only way. Several teams at 5-2 just doesn't seem likely. Someone is going to separate, and it starts today at Heniz Field.
That's what makes the USF-Cincinnati game next Thursday so important. There are so few games, there is little margin for error in conference. A 10 game conference schedule would be much more forgiving. You lose you may never make it back into contention.
I will set the scene when I get to Heinz Field in a couple of hours.
I like to do a blog post when I arrive in a new destination but you can thank the Yankees for keepig the computer dark. Pittsburgh is a great town to visit, but of course my plans were shelved when I couldn't take my eyes off the Yankee game. I don't get Joe Girardi, he fouled up the bullpen like you couldn't believe. He got only 1 2/3 innings out of Joba, Coke and Hughes. That's just a waste of resources. Then brining in Rivera down 2-1 in the eighth? My god. The Yankees manager (sound like the Boss there) needs to relax and play the game.
Anyhow, this is a football blog and the more I think about it I like UConn's chances more today. The lines are all over the place. The Huskies opened +10 and now are down to around 6.5 to 6. That's a lot of money coming in on the Huskies early in the week. Arbitrage opportunity here if you got in at +10.
Why do I like the Huskies? Well, I don't think they are the favroites but they are a live underdog. I just like the way they match up against Pittsburgh. The Huskies can control the clock and as long as they manage the game they are going to be in it.
The Huskies have been superior to every team it has played this year. For 15 of 16 quarters they were the best team on the field. The key is turnovers. I like UConn's chances if the they don't turn it over and blow up (which they do at times).
This is an elimination game in the Big East. The conference has a problem because with only 7 games it is very dificult to make up a game. When you beat a team in conference the tiebreaker edge is so great that it's nearly impossible to make the game up.
Example: if UConn loses, to get to a BCS game, the Huskies can only slip up a max of one more time and go 5-2. And, for that to happen, PIttsburgh would have to go 3-3 over the remainder of its schedule.
I would say 6-1 wins the Big East this year, that's the only way. Several teams at 5-2 just doesn't seem likely. Someone is going to separate, and it starts today at Heniz Field.
That's what makes the USF-Cincinnati game next Thursday so important. There are so few games, there is little margin for error in conference. A 10 game conference schedule would be much more forgiving. You lose you may never make it back into contention.
I will set the scene when I get to Heinz Field in a couple of hours.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
UConn-Pitt ABC 3:30 p.m.
UConn-Pitttsburgh Football Set For 3:30 On ABC Next Saturday; Will Also Air On ESPN In Other Markets
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut football game agaisnt Pittsburgh
this Saturday, October 10 will begin at 3:30 p.m. and be televised by ABC Sports
on a regional basis. That announcment was made on Saturday afternoon as the game
was held for a six-day selection option. The game will be played at Heinz
Field.
The other three games that will be televised in the same time slot on ABC are:
Wisconsin at Ohio State, Baylor at Oklahoma and Oregon at UCLA. In markets that
show the Wisconsin at Ohio State game on ABC, the UConn at Pittsbugh game will
be shown on ESPN.
Following the Pittsburgh game, UConn returns home to Rentschler Field to take on
Louisville on Saturday, Oct. 17 at noon. That game will be televised by the BIG
EAST Network and seen locally on MyTV9-WCTX as well as SportsNet New York (SNY)
from New York City, in addition to a number of other affiliates.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pittsburgh game time pushed
Good news for the Huskies. The game time in Pittsburgh has been moved to a 6 day window and could be picked up by ABC Regional.
Game time will be announced no later than Oct. 4.
It's either going to be the BE game of the week at noon, or an ABC Regional game. It's West Virginia vs. Syracuse or UConn vs. Pittsburgh for ABC.
Game time will be announced no later than Oct. 4.
It's either going to be the BE game of the week at noon, or an ABC Regional game. It's West Virginia vs. Syracuse or UConn vs. Pittsburgh for ABC.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Postgame Pitt- mmm Pizza
Not sure where to start with this. Words can't describe how poorly UConn's passing attack was Saturday.
6-of-31, 80 yards, 5 INTs is just non-competitive. It will be the subject of my Monday column, but the Huskies should be better passing. It's all of the above. The line doesn't hold pass blocks well enough, Lorenzen wasn't able to get the ball to the wideouts with any accuracy, and the wide receiver drop balls and can't get open. It's a terrible combination.
I don't get it. Mike Teel, someone who comes under a lot of heat, threw for more touchdowns in a half than UConn has all season. UConn has four passing touchdowns this year. FOUR. They have 17 passes picked off.
Here are the stats. Anyway you can swing it on the passing in 12 games.
UConn completed six passes UConn, five to Pittsburgh. UConn has four touchdowns and six punt blocks.
Think about it, UConn has had more punts blocked than touchdown passes. UConn has returned three interceptions for touchdowns.
The lack of productivity is staggering.
I don't know what the answer is. The Huskies have the nations leading rusher, yet, have one of the least productive passing offenses in the country.
Other tidbits:
6-of-31, 80 yards, 5 INTs is just non-competitive. It will be the subject of my Monday column, but the Huskies should be better passing. It's all of the above. The line doesn't hold pass blocks well enough, Lorenzen wasn't able to get the ball to the wideouts with any accuracy, and the wide receiver drop balls and can't get open. It's a terrible combination.
I don't get it. Mike Teel, someone who comes under a lot of heat, threw for more touchdowns in a half than UConn has all season. UConn has four passing touchdowns this year. FOUR. They have 17 passes picked off.
Here are the stats. Anyway you can swing it on the passing in 12 games.
UConn completed six passes UConn, five to Pittsburgh. UConn has four touchdowns and six punt blocks.
Think about it, UConn has had more punts blocked than touchdown passes. UConn has returned three interceptions for touchdowns.
The lack of productivity is staggering.
I don't know what the answer is. The Huskies have the nations leading rusher, yet, have one of the least productive passing offenses in the country.
Other tidbits:
*Donald Brown was mellow after the game, but he deserves a game ball. 1,822 yards rushing this season to lead all of college football. That is very impressive. Not sure if he returns for his senior season, he has a major decision to make, but he looked like a pro on Saturday. It's even more amazing considering how poorly UConn played in the passing game.
* So where do the Huskies end up? Read the post below, but I would say the likely destination is Birmingham and the Papajohns.com Bowl. It's complicated, but look for Rutgers to go to the Motor City Bowl against Ball St. UConn against either a Sun Belt or at large. If Troy wins tonight, it will be an at large team.
*Lorenzen wasn't expecting to get pulled by Edsall, but considering the struggles, he probably should have been. Edsall didn't want to do it, but it became apparent that the passing game wasn't going to happen with Tyler Lorenzen. Frazer just didn't get started. It was a tough spot to put the kid in, and it backfired. I tried to ask Edsall if the QB position was open for the bowl, but he didn't answer it. I will try on the conference call tomorrow. They got three weeks, they should try all options.
Got to get home and do some more work. Checking out from the Rent, MMMM, Pizza.
Live Blogging Pittsburgh!
Pregame: Stands 70 percent full. UConn wins toss, and DEFERS. That's an upset. What are the chances the Huskies have a fake field goal or fake punt today? Odds are 1000-1.
First quarter
Update 12:05 p.m.: Stull slips on third and 10. Lindsey Witten acts like he sacked him. No dice Lindsey. Huskies hold Pitt to 3 and out first possession.
Update 12:09 p.m.: Perfectly thrown out by Lorenzen to Easely for 20 yards. Easley somehow drops it. This is UConn in a nutshell. Hernandez also missed a diving catch on third and 15.. Tough catch, but it wasn't an awful throw. The Huskies need to make plays that are there.
Update 12:11: Teggart short on a 53 yard field goal. Too far off grass in the cold. First miss of his career. Ball was returned to the UConn 44. Poor coaching decision. Way to risky for three points.
Update 12:15 p.m.: Stull falls down again for a -7. Turf monster is getting a game ball. WOW. McCoy tackled by the the turf monster after a 3 yard gain on next play. Pittsburgh may not have brought their spikes.
Update 12:19 p.m.: All Pitt's skill guys are on the sidelines changing their spikes. That's bad pregame preparation.
Update 12:23 p.m.: Okay, I am not going to blog every play. But, you decline a third and one to get 2nd and 3. You then throw a flea flicker incomplete (Moore had a step ball need to be laid out, you need a big arm for that). Then on third and 3 you throw it short to Brad Kanuch who had not shot at catching the ball (bad throw). There was a penalty anyway, holding. Just saying. Maybe Huskies should run the Wing T or something.
Update 12:27: Three possessions, three three and outs. Pittsburgh average per play through three possessions -1.1.
First quarter wrap
Huskies defense is dominating. Pitt has 1 first down in first quarter. Huskies offense just can't get going. It's a little better than Pitts, Brown has 40 yards in first quarter, but they can't get anything consistent. Huskies need WRs to make some plays.
Second quarter
12:49 p.m.: Shocking, a punt block. The Huskies special teams is embarrassing. UConn has had six punts blocked this year. How do you win when you give Pitt the ball at the UConn 6? SIX BLOCKED PUNTS!
12:50 p.m.: Miraculously, the Huskies hold. 22 yard FG by Pitt. 3-0. Huskies are used to being in that position. The defense is playing at an elite level.
Update 1:03 p.m.: Huskies drive stalls at the 25. Dave Teggart from 45 yards is good. Huskies converted a pair of third and 5s with run plays. The third time they tried it on third and 6 they lost 6 yards. Huskies need to pass the ball. Eight in the box is turning into 9 in the box. Nine players within 15 yards. UConn is a Top 25 team with a mediocre passing game. UConn can't throw the ball. Still, 3-3 with 5:05 left in first half.
Update 1:09 p.m.: First break of game for UConn. Cody Brown forces fumble with Robert Vaughn recovering Huskies have ball in Pitt territory...
And they go three and out. My lord. The passing offense is worse than the numbers. I don't have an answer.
Update 1:18 p.m.: Off a Jasper Howard interception. Third down pass play completed to the two-yard line is negated by a hold. UConn just can't get going passing. It's a total collapse of the offensive passing game. UConn is 1-of-10 throwing for 4 YARDS.
Haltime update:
Bowl talk. No update. Some stats. Lorenzen 1-of-10 for 4 yards at the half. Pitt has 36 total yards in first half.
Third quarter
Update 1:50 p.m.: Passing game is lagging.
Update 1:55 p.m.: McCoy 47 yard TD run. Tempted to be haughty and call it the ball game. But, Pitt goes 6 plays 87 yards. Defense still is in the half. Not the kind of start you want. Huskies have missed on their last 11 passes.
Update 2:02 p.m.: UConn's passing comedy continues. On third and 15, Anthony Sherman Falls down and Lorenzen 's pass (a perfect spiral) is picked off an is returned to the UConn 6 yard line. Not Lorenzen's fault, but the absolute ineptitude in the passing game continues.
Update 2:05 p.m.: UConn's defense holds Pitt to a field goal. 13-3 Pitt. Throw out the running game. The Huskies are still in it despite the best efforts of the offense and special teams. Defense is tremendous except for one play.
Update 2:11 p.m.: 57 yard TD run by Donald Brown. It's all Donald Brown. Huskies have some life. Great strength and great balance running down the sidelines. Brown will end regular season as nations leading rusher. 13-10 Pitt with 4:29 left in third quarter.
Update 2:16 p.m.: That may have been the game for Pitt. Derek Kinder on first play throws a 61 yard TD pass. Bad angle by Robert Vaughn and it was a catch and run of 61 yards for a TD. Wow, life has left this building. UConn had its big play. 20-10 Pitt. Huskies back in the same position.
Where did this explosion of offense come from?
Update 2:22 p.m.: Lorenzen intercepted. Trying to make something happen on a third and 9. Moore dropped a pass for a first down. Huskies can't throw the ball. There are no answers.
Update 2:28 p.m.: Huskies go three and out. Receivers aren't open, QB can't throw it. UConn has the nations leading rusher and the passing game is 4-of21, two interceptions for 22 yards? That's not competitive.
Update 2:29: GAME OVER. Stull to Nate Byham. Set up by an 18 yard punt. Pittsburgh has scored 24 points in the third quarter. Awful performance.
Third quarter wrap
Huskies fell apart on defense and the offense was abysmal. 24 points in the third quarter? And UConn can't complete a pass. I can't tell you how great Donald Brown is.
Update 2:24 p.m.: Frazer in at QB. Too little to late.
Fourth quarter
Update 2:38 p.m.: Tipped ball. Frazer picked off at the 20. The passing numbers are going to be as ugly as you have ever seen it.
Update 2:42: Pittsburgh fumbles. The Panthers trying to keep UConn in the game.
Update 2:45 p.m.: Frazer throws a ball up for grabs. I don't know what kind of play that is. He is 0-for-3 with two picks. My head hurts. This is the worst QB/WR play I have ever seen.
Update 2:50 p.m.: Retiring the blog for the evening. I just don't have anything left it write. It's worse than the numbers indicate.
Update 2:53 p.m.: Check back. The futility continues. Pittsburgh interception returned for TD. Humbling loss for the Huskies. Frazer 0-for-4 3 INTs. I don't know what to make of this.
One thing is certain. The Huskies need a QB who can throw the ball, and they need WRs to get open. The performance today has been terrible.
4-of-25 for 22 yards and 5 INTs. This against a team that was soft passing.
First quarter
Update 12:05 p.m.: Stull slips on third and 10. Lindsey Witten acts like he sacked him. No dice Lindsey. Huskies hold Pitt to 3 and out first possession.
Update 12:09 p.m.: Perfectly thrown out by Lorenzen to Easely for 20 yards. Easley somehow drops it. This is UConn in a nutshell. Hernandez also missed a diving catch on third and 15.. Tough catch, but it wasn't an awful throw. The Huskies need to make plays that are there.
Update 12:11: Teggart short on a 53 yard field goal. Too far off grass in the cold. First miss of his career. Ball was returned to the UConn 44. Poor coaching decision. Way to risky for three points.
Update 12:15 p.m.: Stull falls down again for a -7. Turf monster is getting a game ball. WOW. McCoy tackled by the the turf monster after a 3 yard gain on next play. Pittsburgh may not have brought their spikes.
Update 12:19 p.m.: All Pitt's skill guys are on the sidelines changing their spikes. That's bad pregame preparation.
Update 12:23 p.m.: Okay, I am not going to blog every play. But, you decline a third and one to get 2nd and 3. You then throw a flea flicker incomplete (Moore had a step ball need to be laid out, you need a big arm for that). Then on third and 3 you throw it short to Brad Kanuch who had not shot at catching the ball (bad throw). There was a penalty anyway, holding. Just saying. Maybe Huskies should run the Wing T or something.
Update 12:27: Three possessions, three three and outs. Pittsburgh average per play through three possessions -1.1.
First quarter wrap
Huskies defense is dominating. Pitt has 1 first down in first quarter. Huskies offense just can't get going. It's a little better than Pitts, Brown has 40 yards in first quarter, but they can't get anything consistent. Huskies need WRs to make some plays.
Second quarter
12:49 p.m.: Shocking, a punt block. The Huskies special teams is embarrassing. UConn has had six punts blocked this year. How do you win when you give Pitt the ball at the UConn 6? SIX BLOCKED PUNTS!
12:50 p.m.: Miraculously, the Huskies hold. 22 yard FG by Pitt. 3-0. Huskies are used to being in that position. The defense is playing at an elite level.
Update 1:03 p.m.: Huskies drive stalls at the 25. Dave Teggart from 45 yards is good. Huskies converted a pair of third and 5s with run plays. The third time they tried it on third and 6 they lost 6 yards. Huskies need to pass the ball. Eight in the box is turning into 9 in the box. Nine players within 15 yards. UConn is a Top 25 team with a mediocre passing game. UConn can't throw the ball. Still, 3-3 with 5:05 left in first half.
Update 1:09 p.m.: First break of game for UConn. Cody Brown forces fumble with Robert Vaughn recovering Huskies have ball in Pitt territory...
And they go three and out. My lord. The passing offense is worse than the numbers. I don't have an answer.
Update 1:18 p.m.: Off a Jasper Howard interception. Third down pass play completed to the two-yard line is negated by a hold. UConn just can't get going passing. It's a total collapse of the offensive passing game. UConn is 1-of-10 throwing for 4 YARDS.
Haltime update:
Bowl talk. No update. Some stats. Lorenzen 1-of-10 for 4 yards at the half. Pitt has 36 total yards in first half.
Third quarter
Update 1:50 p.m.: Passing game is lagging.
Update 1:55 p.m.: McCoy 47 yard TD run. Tempted to be haughty and call it the ball game. But, Pitt goes 6 plays 87 yards. Defense still is in the half. Not the kind of start you want. Huskies have missed on their last 11 passes.
Update 2:02 p.m.: UConn's passing comedy continues. On third and 15, Anthony Sherman Falls down and Lorenzen 's pass (a perfect spiral) is picked off an is returned to the UConn 6 yard line. Not Lorenzen's fault, but the absolute ineptitude in the passing game continues.
Update 2:05 p.m.: UConn's defense holds Pitt to a field goal. 13-3 Pitt. Throw out the running game. The Huskies are still in it despite the best efforts of the offense and special teams. Defense is tremendous except for one play.
Update 2:11 p.m.: 57 yard TD run by Donald Brown. It's all Donald Brown. Huskies have some life. Great strength and great balance running down the sidelines. Brown will end regular season as nations leading rusher. 13-10 Pitt with 4:29 left in third quarter.
Update 2:16 p.m.: That may have been the game for Pitt. Derek Kinder on first play throws a 61 yard TD pass. Bad angle by Robert Vaughn and it was a catch and run of 61 yards for a TD. Wow, life has left this building. UConn had its big play. 20-10 Pitt. Huskies back in the same position.
Where did this explosion of offense come from?
Update 2:22 p.m.: Lorenzen intercepted. Trying to make something happen on a third and 9. Moore dropped a pass for a first down. Huskies can't throw the ball. There are no answers.
Update 2:28 p.m.: Huskies go three and out. Receivers aren't open, QB can't throw it. UConn has the nations leading rusher and the passing game is 4-of21, two interceptions for 22 yards? That's not competitive.
Update 2:29: GAME OVER. Stull to Nate Byham. Set up by an 18 yard punt. Pittsburgh has scored 24 points in the third quarter. Awful performance.
Third quarter wrap
Huskies fell apart on defense and the offense was abysmal. 24 points in the third quarter? And UConn can't complete a pass. I can't tell you how great Donald Brown is.
Update 2:24 p.m.: Frazer in at QB. Too little to late.
Fourth quarter
Update 2:38 p.m.: Tipped ball. Frazer picked off at the 20. The passing numbers are going to be as ugly as you have ever seen it.
Update 2:42: Pittsburgh fumbles. The Panthers trying to keep UConn in the game.
Update 2:45 p.m.: Frazer throws a ball up for grabs. I don't know what kind of play that is. He is 0-for-3 with two picks. My head hurts. This is the worst QB/WR play I have ever seen.
Update 2:50 p.m.: Retiring the blog for the evening. I just don't have anything left it write. It's worse than the numbers indicate.
Update 2:53 p.m.: Check back. The futility continues. Pittsburgh interception returned for TD. Humbling loss for the Huskies. Frazer 0-for-4 3 INTs. I don't know what to make of this.
One thing is certain. The Huskies need a QB who can throw the ball, and they need WRs to get open. The performance today has been terrible.
4-of-25 for 22 yards and 5 INTs. This against a team that was soft passing.
Pregame Pittsburgh
Sorry for the late post, was doing WTIC pregame.
First off, bowl prospects. I didn't talk to Sun Bowl executives directly, but the rest of the beat has and I will relay their thoughts. Here is the gist of things. Sun is here to see Pitt. If Pitt wins, they will be presented with a Sun Bowl bid. If Pitt loses, it goes until tomorrow.
West Virginia is next in line. Those are the two teams the Sun is really looking at. As far as UConn, they can put themselves in the mix with a win, but don't hold your breath for El Paso regardless of what happens.
So where do the Huskies end up? Ken Hoffman, the executive director of Motor City Bowl and International Bowl, is scheduled to be here. He hasn't arrived yet, but he is on the list.
There was talk that Rutgers would be matched up with Ball St. in the Motor City, in place of international, which would move UConn to Papajohns.com. That ship might have sailed with a Buffalo win over N0. 12 Ball St. yesterday.
Quite simple. As far as opponents? In Toronto it's Buffalo, in Birmingham it could be Arkansas State (with a win over Troy today) or it will be an at large team. North Carolina State looks to be a good fit.
We'll see after today.
As far as today's game, there is no one here. The parking lots aren't nearly as filled as they should be. It's not a sellout, and there is a good chance we will see some no shows. I'll report back for Senior Day.
My money is UConn 20, Pittsburgh 17 today.
Update 11:48 p.m.: Senior festivities. Nice touch by the Huskies. I would say there is about 10,000 fans in the stands, maybe.
Here is how it looks from the press box. 5 MINUTES BEFORE SENIOR DAY!
First off, bowl prospects. I didn't talk to Sun Bowl executives directly, but the rest of the beat has and I will relay their thoughts. Here is the gist of things. Sun is here to see Pitt. If Pitt wins, they will be presented with a Sun Bowl bid. If Pitt loses, it goes until tomorrow.
West Virginia is next in line. Those are the two teams the Sun is really looking at. As far as UConn, they can put themselves in the mix with a win, but don't hold your breath for El Paso regardless of what happens.
So where do the Huskies end up? Ken Hoffman, the executive director of Motor City Bowl and International Bowl, is scheduled to be here. He hasn't arrived yet, but he is on the list.
There was talk that Rutgers would be matched up with Ball St. in the Motor City, in place of international, which would move UConn to Papajohns.com. That ship might have sailed with a Buffalo win over N0. 12 Ball St. yesterday.
Quite simple. As far as opponents? In Toronto it's Buffalo, in Birmingham it could be Arkansas State (with a win over Troy today) or it will be an at large team. North Carolina State looks to be a good fit.
We'll see after today.
As far as today's game, there is no one here. The parking lots aren't nearly as filled as they should be. It's not a sellout, and there is a good chance we will see some no shows. I'll report back for Senior Day.
My money is UConn 20, Pittsburgh 17 today.
Update 11:48 p.m.: Senior festivities. Nice touch by the Huskies. I would say there is about 10,000 fans in the stands, maybe.
Here is how it looks from the press box. 5 MINUTES BEFORE SENIOR DAY!
Keys to the Pittsburgh game
Keys to the game
1. Win in the trenches
This games come to the offensive and defensive lines of both teams. Donald Brown and Le Sean McCoy are two of the best backs in the country. But, they need blocking and aren’t the kind to make the entire team miss. On the lines is where this will be won or lost.
2. Score early
If it wasn 't painfully obvious against South Florida two weeks ago, the Huskies
can’t function when the running game is off the table. UConn needs to score early and keep the game manageable. Getting down more than one score and it could spell doom for the UConn offense.
3. Get off the field on third down
The Huskies need to shutdown Pittsburgh on third down conversions. The Huskies hold opponents to a 33 percent conversion rate on third down, Pittsburgh converts over 38 percent of the time.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tuesday presser
It was a surreal Tuesday presser. There was Randy Edsall waxing poetically about his seniors. There was an incredulous Edsall saying he has never talked to Quadry Ismail, Jim Brown, or Floyd Little about the Syracuse job.
Edsall is also in favor of a college football playoff (more than the plus 1), and he also wants nowhere near the St Pete Bowl (exams).
Then there is some news.
Running back Andre Dixon is suspended indefinitely by the team for a rules violation? The violation? Getting arrested.
Dixon was arrested on Tuesday morning, at 1:40 a.m. on North Eagleville Road for operating a motor vehicle vehicle under the influence. Dixon was also cited for following to close.
Here are the particulars: Dixon was following a police car too closely early Tuesday morning and the officer stopped him. The officer, suspecting intoxication, then asked Dixon to take a field sobriety test, which he failed.He was arrested and released on a $500 non-surety bond. He has a court date Dec. 15.
It's been a tough go for Dixon. A year ago he was a second team All-Big East selection a year ago and has been buried as Donald Brown has turned himself into the one of the top running backs in America. Dixon never got going this season after suffering an ankle injury prior to week one.
I am skeptical that Dixon will ever be back.
Other news items.
Edsall is also in favor of a college football playoff (more than the plus 1), and he also wants nowhere near the St Pete Bowl (exams).
Then there is some news.
Running back Andre Dixon is suspended indefinitely by the team for a rules violation? The violation? Getting arrested.
Dixon was arrested on Tuesday morning, at 1:40 a.m. on North Eagleville Road for operating a motor vehicle vehicle under the influence. Dixon was also cited for following to close.
Here are the particulars: Dixon was following a police car too closely early Tuesday morning and the officer stopped him. The officer, suspecting intoxication, then asked Dixon to take a field sobriety test, which he failed.He was arrested and released on a $500 non-surety bond. He has a court date Dec. 15.
It's been a tough go for Dixon. A year ago he was a second team All-Big East selection a year ago and has been buried as Donald Brown has turned himself into the one of the top running backs in America. Dixon never got going this season after suffering an ankle injury prior to week one.
I am skeptical that Dixon will ever be back.
Other news items.
*Steve Brouse will return as the punt protector and tight end.
*C.J. Marck is joining Greg Lloyd on the personal issues front and is out for Saturday's game. Personal issues could be academic, or, it could be personal. That's the problem for being vague.
*19 seniors will be honored on Saturday. Among those will be safety Glenn Mourning and defensive back Terry Baltimore. Both of them have a year of eligibility left but have decided this was it.
Be back late, got to pay the bills.
Short update: Just looking at Bowl scenarios. A case could be made for the Sun if UConn wins Saturday and WVU loses to USF. I think in that scenario UConn may be the second highest ranked team. But, is the Sun even an option?
Take a look at their website. UConn isn't even one of the teams in the fan poll about 'Who you want to come to El Paso?'
Toronto or Birmingham most likely regardless what happens.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Black Friday
The one common in a sportswriters home on Thanksgiving is that he is almost assuredly working.
I have been in the business 8 years and have not had a Thanksgiving off. It's just assumed you're working it. Ever wonder where your Black Friday paper comes from?
I went non-stop from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon working. I covered Windsor-Bloomfield on Wednesday night. It's refreshing not to have 50 different media people intruding on interviews. It rejuvenated me. I was kind of sick of just writing UConn football. It happens when your a beat guy. I needed some fresh faces. I am sure UConn players are sick of talking to the same guys every week too. Case in point is Donald Brown. Great guy to talk too, except when UConn loses. The best juke he made last Sunday was the quick right he took out of the locker room in Tampa. He nearly made it home free before he was called back for interviews.
Back to football. The Warriors, who clinched a Class L berth and will play Masuk on Tuesday, destroyed Bloomfield. We had early deadlines on Wednesday night and I was under the gun. So what did I do? I didn't wait to interview guys. 41-7 game? With two minutes to go I talked to a couple of the guys on the sidelines. Then I went and got Windsor coach Mark Welch before he even shook hands with Bloomfield coach Roy Roberts. I was in my car headed back to the paper before the handshakes were done.
Did I need to be that quick? I finished everything at 10:00 p.m. Deadline was 10:10.That 's not copy deadline, that's page deadline. You make the call. We were two minutes late.
Never did interview a football player while the game was going on before. That was a first.
Thursday was spent at the Manchester Road Race. It was my first time on the media truck watching the race. We spend the entire race 20 yards ahead of the lead runner watching what's going on. I waved to at least 20 people during the race. The scene is nuts. You got people playing in bands, dancing, and tailgating almost the entire course.
The bagpipes are sounding and I am not sure anyone actually notices the race going on. If you haven't done it before, it's certainly a terrific way to spend Thanksgiving Day.
Let's get back to UConn football. I have no idea what's going to happen with the Bowl lineup except that Cincinnati is going to the BCS and South Florida to St. Pete.
Pittsburgh's win over West Virginia today in the Backyard Brawl certainly muddies things. The Sun Bowl is in play now for Pitt, UConn, WVU and Rutgers. If Rutgers loses it's going to be Notre Dame.
I doubt they would go back to USF for a second year in a row. Especially after the debacle last year.
Could the Pitt-UConn winner be Sun bound? That's not a far-fetched possibility. They may just take the highest ranked team in the Big East, and it figures to be the winner of that game. If USF beats WVU, then that's a strong possibility.
I would say Pitt goes to the Sun if they beat UConn next week. If UConn wins, all bets are off on who goes anywhere.
Let me make some calls this week.
I have been in the business 8 years and have not had a Thanksgiving off. It's just assumed you're working it. Ever wonder where your Black Friday paper comes from?
I went non-stop from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon working. I covered Windsor-Bloomfield on Wednesday night. It's refreshing not to have 50 different media people intruding on interviews. It rejuvenated me. I was kind of sick of just writing UConn football. It happens when your a beat guy. I needed some fresh faces. I am sure UConn players are sick of talking to the same guys every week too. Case in point is Donald Brown. Great guy to talk too, except when UConn loses. The best juke he made last Sunday was the quick right he took out of the locker room in Tampa. He nearly made it home free before he was called back for interviews.
Back to football. The Warriors, who clinched a Class L berth and will play Masuk on Tuesday, destroyed Bloomfield. We had early deadlines on Wednesday night and I was under the gun. So what did I do? I didn't wait to interview guys. 41-7 game? With two minutes to go I talked to a couple of the guys on the sidelines. Then I went and got Windsor coach Mark Welch before he even shook hands with Bloomfield coach Roy Roberts. I was in my car headed back to the paper before the handshakes were done.
Did I need to be that quick? I finished everything at 10:00 p.m. Deadline was 10:10.That 's not copy deadline, that's page deadline. You make the call. We were two minutes late.
Never did interview a football player while the game was going on before. That was a first.
Thursday was spent at the Manchester Road Race. It was my first time on the media truck watching the race. We spend the entire race 20 yards ahead of the lead runner watching what's going on. I waved to at least 20 people during the race. The scene is nuts. You got people playing in bands, dancing, and tailgating almost the entire course.
The bagpipes are sounding and I am not sure anyone actually notices the race going on. If you haven't done it before, it's certainly a terrific way to spend Thanksgiving Day.
Let's get back to UConn football. I have no idea what's going to happen with the Bowl lineup except that Cincinnati is going to the BCS and South Florida to St. Pete.
Pittsburgh's win over West Virginia today in the Backyard Brawl certainly muddies things. The Sun Bowl is in play now for Pitt, UConn, WVU and Rutgers. If Rutgers loses it's going to be Notre Dame.
I doubt they would go back to USF for a second year in a row. Especially after the debacle last year.
Could the Pitt-UConn winner be Sun bound? That's not a far-fetched possibility. They may just take the highest ranked team in the Big East, and it figures to be the winner of that game. If USF beats WVU, then that's a strong possibility.
I would say Pitt goes to the Sun if they beat UConn next week. If UConn wins, all bets are off on who goes anywhere.
Let me make some calls this week.
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