We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Pinstripe Bowl ceases operation

Reports confirmed by ESPN today say that the New Era Pinstripe Bowl will be ceasing operations after 5 years due to budget issues. The reports have also stated the New York Yankees will try to find a replacement bowl in their home stadium, even if it takes "several years".

The Pinstripe Bowl had been running since 2010, with Army winning last year's edition.

Late to the party, but I'll be following. Better second half last season, if only you could've started the season off better. But here's to next year!

Also I was wondering if you're playing the games or using coach mode? You said in your setup posts you would post which one when you decided but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere. Although it's possible I just missed it...

Yeah, it took a while to figure out who could do what, but we clearly showed some flashes for 2015.

You didn't miss it, I just forgot to post that haha. I am playing the games. I thought about doing coach mode, but I just wanted to play the games instead of watch them..

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

You didn't miss it, I just forgot to post that haha. I am playing the games. I thought about doing coach mode, but I just wanted to play the games instead of watch them..

That just makes it all that more painful during those 6 Int games... Hopefully this year you can find someone more capable. Whether it's Boyle that progresses into the starter or Sharieffs comes in and does well enough to win the starting job

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Shirreffs wins starting QB job

To virtually no one's surprise, the savior has arrived.

Despite Tim Boyle's incredible play off the bench late last year, his stats and skills were just not good enough to hold off Bryant Shirreffs in fall camp.

Shirreffs, a transfer from North Carolina State in the 2013-14 offseason, sat out last year per NCAA rules after redshirting at NC State in 2013. He appeared in one game with the Wolfpack, against Richmond in September 2013.

The 6'3 Jefferson, Georgia native is a dual threat who accounted for absurd amounts of passing and rushing yardage in his high school career.

Shirreffs has 3 years of eligibility, and has been widely viewed as the savior of the program by Coach Diaco and local media (eh-hem... fine, yours truly...don't judge) since his arrival on campus in July 2014....

"I'm ready to go, I've spent the pat year learning the playbook and I feel very comfortable with our guys now."

"Tim played great last year, but the stats just weren't there last year. Bryant is a quicker QB than Tim, and that gives us more of a second dimension in our offense moving forward. I can't wait to get him on the field.

----------------------------------------

That just makes it all that more painful during those 6 Int games... Hopefully this year you can find someone more capable. Whether it's Boyle that progresses into the starter or Sharieffs comes in and does well enough to win the starting job

Well, if you've read the thread carefully enough through the last season, (I'm sure you did) I made it no secret that my plan all along was to make Shirreffs the starter in year 2. I am very high on the kid, I feel he can take us very, very far.

Boyle really wowed me at times last year, but had his down moments as well. Shirreffs just looks like the better QB right now, despite being lower rated. His arm isn't as good as Boyle's, but that doesn't matter as we're passing short a lot this year with Davis and Foxx both gone.

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Ya I knew that's what your plan was. But I don't have the numbers in front of me like you do, thought maybe if Boyle jumped +7 overall he might still win the starting job

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Ya I knew that's what your plan was. But I don't have the numbers in front of me like you do, thought maybe if Boyle jumped +7 overall he might still win the starting job

Looking at my notebook, Boyle went up 4 to 77, Shirreffs went up 5 to 75... I felt Boyle would have lost the job regardless, I just need a quick-ish QB as a second option in my offense.

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Looking at my notebook, Boyle went up 4 to 77, Shirreffs went up 5 to 75... I felt Boyle would have lost the job regardless, I just need a quick-ish QB as a second option in my offense.

Ah gotcha. Ya it's not all about overalls, it's more about the intangibles and who fits in your system better

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

2015 UConn Preview

Max DeLorenzo

2015 UConn Roster

Jefferson Ashiru

2015 UConn Schedule

[RoundingThird]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Love the schedule..

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

You have a young, promising running back corps. IRL Marriner and Newsone are probably too small to be 3 down backs. But I could see some type of 3 way rotation going into next year between those two and Ron Johnson. Give you the one-two punch of the speedster and the bruiser. Assuming none of them get mad and transfer on you lol

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Love the schedule..

Yeah, after Missou and BYU we have a really strong chance to win 7 or 8 out of the remaining 10 games. Bowl or bust!!!

You have a young, promising running back corps. IRL Marriner and Newsone are probably too small to be 3 down backs. But I could see some type of 3 way rotation going into next year between those two and Ron Johnson. Give you the one-two punch of the speedster and the bruiser. Assuming none of them get mad and transfer on you lol

I agree completely. DeLorenzo gets the start because he is the highest rated on the team and a very balanced back, but his numbers may slide because of the losses of Gus Cruz in the left guard slot and Alex Mateas at center. A lot of DeLorenzo's yards came from up the gut....

Marriner spelled DeLorenzo last year, but I too don't think he can be an every down back, and I don't think his build is the issue (he's pushing 200 pounds, that's not a bad thing). He just looks and plays more like a Shane Vereen type-guy, doesn't get a ton of carries but contributes in other ways, especially in blocking and receiving. I see Newsome in a similar role in a few years, he's returning kicks this year. His height is a huge issue, however, unlike Marriner.

Johnson is a power back, and I absolutely love that. He seems to be the future of the spot, but who knows. Another power back, or at least a balanced back above 6', could really make for a deadly rotation with Johnson in 2-3 years.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Next Man Up!

College football looks a lot different in 2015.

Many of the nation's top programs are looking to replace star QB's, RB's, or other important players. National Champion Oregon is replacing Marcus Mariota with Jeff Lockie, Florida State is replacing Jameis Winston with Sean Maguire, UCLA looks to replace Brett Hundley with Asiantii Woulard.

Ohio State's Braxton Miller is returning for his senior year after missing last year with injury, and LSU has potentially the greatest group of running backs ever in Leonard Fournette, Darrel Williams and mega freshmen Brant Green and Matt Lewis. Georgia is looking to replace Todd Gurley by using a group, Keith Marshall, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb. Auburn looks to replace 2014 Heisman candidate Cameron Artis-Payne with sophomores Peyton Barber and Roc Thomas.

Oklahoma State, Utah, Vanderbilt, Pitt and Kansas are among the many teams sporting new coaches in 2015, and all 4 playoff teams from last year return looking for more in 2015.

But to get more, you have to go through Eugene.

2015 NCAA Preseason 1st Team All-Americans
Pos	Player Name	Ht	Wt	Year
QB	Taysom Hill, BYU			Sr.
HB	Byron Marshall, Oregon			Sr.
HB	Jay Ajayi, Boise State			Sr.
WR	Jordan Williams, Ball State			Sr.
WR	Deontay Greenberry, Houston			Sr.
TE	Jesse James, Penn State			Sr.
OT	Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss			Jr.
OT	Spencer Drango, Baylor			Sr.
OG	Joshua Garnett, Stanford			Sr.
OG	Jake Brendel, UCLA			Sr.
C	Justin Bell, Ole Miss			Sr.
DE	Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech			Jr.
DE	Kenton Adeyemi, UConn			Sr.
DT	Christian Covington, Rice			Jr.
DT	Jaxon Hood, Arizona State			Sr.
LB	Graham Stewart, UConn			Sr.
LB	Jefferson Ashiru, UConn			Sr.
LB	Aiavion Edwards, Baylor			Jr.
CB	Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech			Jr.
CB	Trae Waynes, Michigan State			Sr.
S	Trevon Stewart, Houston			Sr.
S	Karl Joseph, West Virginia			Sr.
K	Andy Phillips, Utah			Jr.
P	Cameron Johnston, Ohio State			Jr.
RS	Henry Bussey, Florida Atlantic			So.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Should be a tough game against BYU. If you can get past them I expect big things this year

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Do you believe in...incredible luck?

Late turnovers allow UConn to storm back, upset Cougs

Max DeLorenzo did a lot of dirty work for UConn in this one.

I played this game around 8 a.m. this morning (as I type it's about 7 eastern, 11 hours later). I still have absolutely no clue how we managed to win this game. Probably because we didn't really deserve to.

In the first half, UConn had a bit of rough go of things, at least very early.

On the first drive of the game, the Huskies marched all the way downfield, only to be intercepted by Michael Wadsworth at the 1 yard line.

Shades of Tim Boyle, eh? Or more nightmaringly, Chandler Whitmer. Scary, huh? I'm glad he's gone.

Fortunately for us, Bryant Shirreffs only threw 2 INT's. A number that could be improved, but let's not be too picky.

Anyway, BYU escaped being stuffed near the goal line, and Adam Hine took an option pitch from Taysom Hill and scored from a yard out.

After two three and outs, UConn finally got on the board, as Shirreffs hit new #2 receiver Kamal Abrams from 43 yards out to tie the game.

Hill and Shirreffs traded TD's, and with 25 seconds left in the half, the game's momentum started to shift.

Hill, looking very, very long, hit Terren Houk down the sideline for a 55 yard gain. (For the record, Jamar Summers completely slipped. Had he not, that may be an INT, but that didn't happen. So yeah.)

Anyway, BYU got the field goal. What should have been 14 all turned out to be 17-14.

BYU got 14 points in the 3rd, and UConn ended with 7, sending BYU up 31-21 into the 4th quarter.

UConn, as they had much of the game, again struggled with failing to convert when they needed it most. Shirreffs was unable to stay upright, nearly fumbled, and ended up punting back to BYU with 4 minutes left, triggering the crazy ending.

Hill and Jamaal Williams (who gashed UConn for a buck 38 despite only 12 carries), got the Cougs inside the 10.

Backed up into a 3rd and goal from the UConn 11, Hill decided to throw for the first.

Cue shades of Russell Wilson.

Hill tried a short slant (so eerie!!), but the All-American linebacker Graham Stewart snared the pass at the 1 and gave UConn a chance. A slight one at that, but a chance nonetheless!!

Thom Lucas, Noel Thomas and Sean McQuillan catches took UConn to a 3rd and 7 from the 11, rather quickly, but another Lucas catch brought UConn to the 1. From there Max DeLorenzo, who did most of the dirty work for UConn on the day, pounded in the closing TD. 31-28.

With 2 minutes left, it was up to BYU to try to get a pair of first downs to prevent the upset.

They failed. The punt went to the 45, and UConn took over with a minute to go and a chance to tie or win.

Shirreffs thanked BYU by being sacked.

YAY!!

Luckily, Thomas got it back with a 19 yard grab, and a 10 yard Shirreffs run followed to put UConn firmly into field goal range.

But I don't think Coach Diaco, nor Shirreffs, were happy with just a tie.

Shirreffs dropped back to throw, but was picked off by Jordan Preator. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

It's all over but the crying.

But someone forgot to tell that to Dalton Gifford. The big senior offensive tackle nailed Preator and knocked the ball loose.

McQuillan, the intended receiver, was right behind Gifford and fell on the ball at the 20, 5 yards past the line of scrimmage.

"I was so pissed off, I drilled him. Luckily it popped loose. I'm glad I could've helped.

Jordan Preator, before he got drilled.

With UConn miraculously back in the game, Dhameer Bradley's 18 yard grab and DeLorenzo's following 2 yard TD gave UConn the most improbable of leads with only 10 seconds left.

However, enough time for BYU to try a hail mary after a bad kickoff from Bobby Puyol. With the Cougs set up from their own 42, a hail mary was still a possibility.

Kenton Adeyemi, held in check by BYU's O-Line for most of the game, drilled Hill as he let go, and that may have cost Hill about 10 yards on his throw. As a result, the ball landed 5 yards short of the endzone, and was tipped away by John Green.

Ballgame. UCONN WINS!!!

Truly an improbable win, yes. But a lot of momentum going into the Missouri game next week. If we win there, it's on.

See you then.

Connecticut Huskies at Brigham Young Cougars
Aug 27, 2015	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Connecticut Huskies (1-0)	0	14	7	14	35
#20 Brigham Young Cougars (0-1)	7	10	14	0	31

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		CONN	BYU
1:44	(BYU) Hine 1 run (Pope kick)	0	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		CONN	BYU
4:59	(CONN) Shirreffs 43 pass Abrams (Puyol kick)	7	7
2:44	(BYU) Hill 12 pass Sampson (Pope kick)	7	14
:25	(CONN) Shirreffs 3 run (Puyol kick)	14	14
:00	(BYU) Pope 31 FG	14	17
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		CONN	BYU
4:40	(BYU) Hill 1 pass Houk (Pope kick)	14	24
2:08	(CONN) Marriner 1 run (Puyol kick)	21	24
1:56	(BYU) Williams 56 run (Pope kick)	21	31
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		CONN	BYU
2:30	(CONN) DeLorenzo 1 run (Puyol kick)	28	31
:10	(CONN) DeLorenzo 2 run (Puyol kick)	35	31

Connecticut Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Bryant Shirreffs 24-32 367 1 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Max DeLorenzo 15 54 3.6 2 Bryant Shirreffs 12 35 2.9 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Noel Thomas 5 88 17.6 0 Sean McQuillan 5 67 13.4 0 Thomas Lucas 4 80 20.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Graham Stewart 7 0 1 0 Junior Joseph 4 0 0 0 Obi Melifonwu 4 0 0 0

Brigham Young Cougars PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Taysom Hill 17-24 232 2 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Jamaal Williams 12 138 11.5 1 Taysom Hill 8 23 4.1 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Mitch Matthews 4 77 19.2 0 Kurt Henderson 3 39 13.0 0 Terren Houk 2 45 22.5 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Dallin Leavitt 9 0 0 0 Fred Warner 7 2 0 0 Michael Wadsworth 5 0 1 0

Should be a tough game against BYU. If you can get past them I expect big things this year

Well.. how about that? Was tough, but a great game nonetheless. If we beat Missou, it's on.

[RoundingThird]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

#ShirreffsForHeisman #undefeated #BleedBlue