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)

Oregon victorious over Texas in Rose Bowl; advances to program’s fourth Championship Game

(Yeah I know Oregon had the late game. It makes more sense to do it this way, though).

Top-ranked, undefeated Oregon had little trouble with #4 Texas in the Playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinal game, cruising to a 45-28 triumph in the Playoff’s non-UConn semifinal. The Ducks jumped out a 24-7 halftime advantage, and the two teams scored 21 points apiece in the second half as Oregon coasted home.

The Ducks move to 14-0 and remain the nation’s lone undefeated team behind a few unsung heroes. Star quarterback Kai Tago left the game with an undisclosed ankle injury, but backup Titus Testaverde was sensational. The fourth-year junior completed 13 of his 17 passes for 204 yards and three scores, easily earning player of the game honors. Wide receiver Brandon Garner, a one-time UConn recruit, was the recipient of all three touchdowns, tallying 74 yards in total on four catches. Running back Willie Taylor had a pedestrian 88 yards, but did add two touchdowns. Oregon coach Mark Helfrich noted that Tago should be good to go for the championship game and he expects his entire team to be healthy and available.

Big 12 champ Texas was led by sophomore running back John Hamden, who rushed for 144 yards and two scores. They finish at 12-2 on the season.

Oregon will play the winner of Iowa-UConn in the program’s fourth total national championship game, third in the Playoff era. The Ducks won the CFP in 2014 and 2020 while losing in the semifinals in 2017 and 2021. The Ducks also lost in the BCS National Championship Game at the conclusion of the 2010 season.


NEXT: UConn-Iowa - I'm almost done with the write-up. Hopefully tomorrow.

[djp73]

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

This dynasty is really impressive. Something to strive for in mine. I'm anxiously awaiting the next 1 or 2 games and the upcoming offseason.

[beast10]

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

guru! what's up? I'm just checking in, haven't been on the site in a while. amazing to see this is still going strong dude .. and I see I dropped in just before the big game!

I still remember saying Jordan Brown would be a bust lol. guy made me eat those words for sure. sheesh. congrats on that Heisman trophy! really cool touch with the photo ... with all the great QB's I had, I couldn't snag a heisman ONCE!

good luck against Iowa

[thesportsguru11]

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

- CFP SEMIFINAL

(3) 22 --- 12-2

(2) 34 --- 13-1

GRIND IT OUT

Streaky UConn offense finishes strong to dispatch of pesky Iowa, advance to fourth College Football Playoff Championship Game; Hughes leads stellar defensive performance with school record-tying six sacks; Jordan Brown awaits Houston homecoming as UConn-Oregon Part IV will decide Playoff era's top dynasty



Kiel Hughes was the clear star of the day, disrupting countless Iowa drives and tying a single-game school record with six sacks.

UConn is now one win away from writing, perhaps, a fairytale ending to the current era of their football program. With a core of upperclassmen who might be looking to declare for the NFL Draft in the coming weeks and with a head coach who has been noncommittal about his future, UConn has done a great job putting aside all the distractions of the future and focusing on the now.

In what was perhaps their most impressive win of the season despite a lackluster performance statistically, Coach Steve Belichick and his troops still did enough as the Huskies posted a gritty 34-22 win over third-ranked Iowa in the Sugar Bowl playoff semifinal. The win advances UConn to the College Football Playoff Championship Game, where the Huskies will take on Oregon for the national championship next week.

Both teams started slow and it was a defensive slugfest for much of the way. “It’s just a testament to two well-coached teams,” commented Belichick on the defensive prowess of both sides. Linzell Tyson and X’Zaviae Godfrey ended drives with interceptions to open the game, and each side ended up scoring just one field goal apiece in the first quarter.

It was UConn that raced out to the lead, however, tallying 17 points in the second quarter to take a halftime advantage that they would not relinquish. Jordan Brown, who has been surprisingly mobile at times this season, rushed in a short touchdown for the Huskies and then added another through the air with a minute to go before the half, a two-yard bootleg pass to Chamarkelle Byrom. The Byrom touchdown pass gave Jordan the UConn career touchdown record, set previously by his offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky in 2004. Added on to Anthony Ricciardi’s 45 and 50-yard field goals from earlier, the outburst allowed UConn to race to a 20-6 lead; Iowa mustered just two field goals in the entire half off the right boot of Rafael Perdomo.

The UConn first half was highlighted by a Jordan Brown rushing touchdown and his record-breaking touchdown pass to Chamarkelle Byrom.

The Hawkeyes added two more Perdomo field goals in the third quarter, but still struggled finishing drives. Marshawn Dortch and Marlon Bush teamed up for a fumble and recovery to end a promising Iowa drive, while Dortch and Kion East made lots of key plays, combining for 24 tackles in total.

Junior edge rusher Kiel Hughes was the star of the day, though, picking up a record-tying six sacks in total. His biggest success in the game was the consistent third down pressure on Tommy Ragal, and the Hawkeyes went just 2-14 on the money down. Ragal was productive, throwing for 21-27 for 251 yards and a score, while backfield battery mate Devante Upchurch was similarly good, racking up 156 yards on 24 carries before leaving injured late in the fourth quarter. “We just couldn’t score,” commented Ragal. “That’s the mark of a truly good defense.”

Perdomo rang up a fifth field goal to start the fourth quarter and close the gap to 20-15, but UConn immediately answered with a big touchdown play from Brown to Byrom. With the offense struggling, UConn went to a play action go route and Byrom created separation in what appeared to be zone coverage from freshman Kawika Clark, the backup free safety playing due to injury.

The big touchdown gave UConn a dozen-point advantage, but Iowa fought back and closed the gap back to five with their first touchdown of the game. The 23-yard pass from Ragal to tight end Kellen Davis saw the big bruiser tight end power his way past a few UConn secondary members on his way to the end zone. Davis was the top receiver for Iowa with nine catches for 90 yards, and he certainly showed late in the game why he is their top target.

Iowa tight end Kellen Davis and kicker Rafael Perdomo helped keep Iowa in the game until the late stages; ultimately, the Hawkeyes couldn't do enough on offense.

While Iowa kept the game close, UConn’s offense proved to be too much toward the end. Brown added one more touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, connecting with slot receiver Devin Brown for a 21-yard score, the final points tally of the game. It was only when the clock finally wound down to zero could UConn breathe a sigh of relief.

“They gave us a great game,” commented Belichick. Offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky, who himself has reportedly been entertaining his own head coaching rumors in the past few days, noted that “their numbers and stats do not look great on paper, but they play the game as a team, and they do that very well. Our hats are off to Coach Conklin on a great season and a tremendous team.”

There was nothing but respect for all sides, with Iowa headman Josh Conklin’s previous ties to UConn, Coach Belichick, Orlovsky and the 2021 championship team. “It was great to see and play these guys again, they have a program that we can all strive to be like,” Conklin said. “We did well but not well enough on the field, and we’ll look to come back and do it again next year.” With a laugh, Conklin concluded his remarks with “this stings, but at least we know who we’ll be rooting for next week.”

Orlovsky commented about his team: “We played well, but that type of performance will not help us beat Oregon, I’d imagine.” Jordan Brown was not superb like he was late in the season, but still completed 27 of his 46 attempts for 422 yards and three touchdowns, plus a fourth on the ground. Tailback Ashanti Swift came back in a big way in what was only his second game back from injury with 112 yards, while Byrom led the way for receivers with nine catches for 172 yards and two scores. Paige added seven catches for 68 yards while Lonte’ Speier chipped in five grabs for 101 yards while breaking UConn’s record for receptions in a single season; he now sits at 91 for the year.

What can Brown do for you? The Jordan-Devin connection was in full force as Devin scored the last touchdown for UConn, putting the game out of reach with a minute to go.

All in all, Iowa did a fine job on defense, but just could not cover everyone. Iowa’s defensive stars included Josh Johnson, the unsung defensive end who tallied three sacks, Braxton Danielson, who led the team with eleven tackles, and X’Zaviae Godfrey, the young star at corner who recorded another interception. “They’re hard nosed, and kept us in check,” commented Jordan Brown. “We have some work to do, re-evaluating before the title game.”

UConn will travel to Houston and NRG Stadium for the Playoff Championship Game where they will face the top-ranked, undefeated Oregon Ducks. Next week’s matchup will mark the fourth meeting between the two, and the third in four years in the CFP. The game will likely decide which program is the top “dynasty” of the playoff era; both programs have two national titles apiece since the beginning of the CFP in 2014.

The title game will also serve as a homecoming for Heisman winning quarterback Jordan Brown. Brown hails from Beaumont, Texas, about two hours away from NRG Stadium. “It’s pretty cool. Mom and dad will come down I’m sure, and I bet a lot of folks from Beaumont will come down. Should be a really great night. We’ll try and write the perfect ending.”

They are one win away from doing just that.

Iowa Hawkeyes at Connecticut Huskies
Jan 1, 2024	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#3 Iowa Hawkeyes (12-2)	3	3	6	10	22
#2 Connecticut Huskies (13-1)	3	17	0	14	34

Team Stats Comparison
	IOWA	CONN
Total Offense	404	535
Rushing Yards	153	113
Passing Yards	251	422
First Downs	23	26
Punt Return Yards	9	0
Kick Return Yards	30	66
Total Yards	443	601
Turnovers	3	2
3rd Down Conversion	2-14 (14%)	10-16 (62%)
4th Down Conversion	2-3 (66%)	0-1
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	3-0-2 (66%)	4-2-0 (50%)
Penalties	3-15	0-0
Possession Time	17:04	18:56

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		IOWA	CONN
5:01	(IOWA) Perdomo 28 FG	3	0
2:44	(CONN) Ricciardi 50 FG	3	3
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		IOWA	CONN
7:05	(CONN) Ricciardi 45 FG	3	6
4:45	(CONN) J. Brown 2 run (Ricciardi kick)	3	13
2:45	(IOWA) Perdomo 49 FG	6	13
1:00	(CONN) Byrom 2 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	6	20
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		IOWA	CONN
4:07	(IOWA) Perdomo 44 FG	9	20
1:02	(IOWA) Perdomo 33 FG	12	20
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		IOWA	CONN
6:12	(IOWA) Perdomo 41 FG	15	20
5:24	(CONN) Byrom 47 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	15	27
3:05	(IOWA) David 23 pass Ragal (Perdomo kick)	22	27
1:05	(CONN) D. Brown 21 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	22	34

Iowa Hawkeyes PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Tommy Ragal 21-27 251 1 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Devante Upchurch 24 156 6.5 0 Ronald Cox Jr. 8 14 1.7 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Kellen Davis 9 90 10.0 1 Matt Newton 4 53 13.2 0 Chris Shuler 3 32 10.6 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Braxton Danielson 11 (2) 1 0 0 Wyatt Bess 8 (4) 1 0 0 Kendall Harrison 4 0 1 0 Josh Johnson 3 (3) 3 0 0 X'Zaviae Godfrey 2 0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Rafael Perdomo 5-5 1-1 16 50

Connecticut Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Jordan Brown 27-46 422 3 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Ashanti Swift 23 112 4.8 0 Jordan Brown 10 -22 -2.2 1 Linzell Tyson 2 23 11.5 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Chamarkelle Byrom 9 172 19.1 2 Alex Paige 7 68 9.7 0 Lonte' Speier 5 101 20.2 0 Devin Brown 3 48 16.0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Kion East 13 (1) 0 0 0 Marshawn Dortch 11 (1) 0 0 0 Marlon Bush Jr. 8 (4) 0 0 0 Kiel Hughes 8 (6) 6 0 0 Linzell Tyson 7 (1) 0 1 0 Payton Ash 5 (1) 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Anthony Ricciardi 2-3 4-4 10 50

CFP National Championship Game: (2) --- (13-1) vs. (1) --- (14-0)

This dynasty is really impressive. Something to strive for in mine. I'm anxiously awaiting the next 1 or 2 games and the upcoming offseason.

Thanks much, dj. I think if anything, this dynasty has shown that longevity goes a long way, and details help for the really invested reader. I'm not a graphics expert, but finding a nice balance between things that look good and good writing has served me well for a long time.

I'm looking forward to finally ending this season also, I've reeeaaaalllllly dragged it out LOL.

guru! what's up? I'm just checking in, haven't been on the site in a while. amazing to see this is still going strong dude .. and I see I dropped in just before the big game!

I still remember saying Jordan Brown would be a bust lol. guy made me eat those words for sure. sheesh. congrats on that Heisman trophy! really cool touch with the photo ... with all the great QB's I had, I couldn't snag a heisman ONCE!

good luck against Iowa

Great to see you as always, beast, hope all is well. Yeah, great timing on deciding to come back, things have been going pretty well with our fictitious UConn boys and now we're ready to chase Title #3. As I mentioned a few posts ago, Jordan won the Heisman in the last three or four weeks of the season. If he doesn't have that ridiculous tear with 25 TD's or whatever, we're still Heisman-less LOL. I think it helped also that there wasn't really a strong second place this season - last year we had a great late-season Heisman battle between OU's Justyce Tryson and Wazzu tailback Pat Tuivalea. Jordan was able to seize the national stage and smash it over his head.

I don't recall the last time you checked in, but we went through a 10-3 year last season, and Jordan struggled in big games. I don't think you were completely wrong to say that he was a bust at the time, or at least a little behind expectations. Now, though.. if he can win two more games, he's the best QB in school history, no questions asked. It's amazing how his legacy changed so quickly.

Thanks as always everyone!

[whughes]

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

Huuuggghhhheeesssssssss! Even if it’s ugly, a win is a win. Looking forward to the natty rematch with Oregon

[Deuce2223]

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

Go Myles Garret on the Ducks.. and get that Natty...

Will be interesting to see what you have planned next..

UConn by the way has actually been really good in my dynasty. They were a Top-25 team last year after a moved them from the MAC to the American and they are 9-1 this year with 2 games left to play. Ole Miss has owned the American winning 3 straight titles, so hopefully the Huskies can knock them off their throne.

[thesportsguru11]

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

UConn-Oregon: Part IV

Other Players to Watch:

OREGON:
#4 QB Titus Testaverde rJR (91)
#25 RB A.J. Donnelly rFR (74)
#22 FB Lee Mootin JR (72)
#19 WR Aloaire Robinson rSO (80)
#67 C Cody Palamonde FR (79)
#93 DE Drew Nicholson SR (81)
#99 DT Dwayne Hawkins rSO (78)
#1 FS Tyler Johnston rFR (82)
#35 FS DeAnthony Furr rJR (81)

UCONN:
#22 RB Mike Molden rSR (89)
#33 WR Marcus Rodgers rSR (90)
#11 WR Drew Talley rSR (85)
#12 LB Avan Goulding SO (77)
#23 S Ahmir Rider JR (77)

Team Leaders

PASSING: Kai Tago (ORE): 212-357 (66.6%), 3202 yds, 37 TD, 8 INT
Jordan Brown (UCONN): 381-565, 5,478 yds, 56 TD

RUSHING: Willie Taylor (ORE): 247 rush, 1652 yds, 15 TD
Mike Molden (UCONN): 160 rush, 744 yds, 11 TD

RECEIVING: Brandon Garner (ORE): 71 rec, 1063 yds, 17 TD
Lonte’ Speier (UCONN): 91 rec, 1634 yds, 15 TD

TACKLES: Gaylan Riley (ORE), 76
Kion East (UCONN), 117

SACKS: A.J. Robinson (ORE), 8
Kiel Hughes (UCONN), 18

INTERCEPTIONS: Vontez Maybin (ORE), 3
Linzell Tyson (UCONN), 6


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GURU’S THOUGHTS

There is no more fitting way to end the season, and the tenth anniversary season of our dynasty, than to take on our adversaries for much of this dynasty in Oregon. We have a long history with these guys that I’ll cover below, and we have undoubtedly been the two best programs of the past six-ten seasons. I think today’s battle will determine which one of us is the best of the best. Both have two national titles, we’ve gotten them twice in the Semifinals, and we’re looking for revenge on 2020. Let’s do it!!!

Oregon is undefeated for a reason, and they’re led by two of the nation’s best. Quarterback Kai Tago and running back Willie Taylor were both Heisman finalists and both are monsters, helping put up one of the nation’s best, most well rounded offenses. Tago is a literal perfect fit for the Oregon offense, much like predecessors Nelly DeWeaver, Morgan Mahalak and Marcus Mariota. He’s a tall, athletic dual threat with an NFL caliber arm and adequate speed. Much like Tommy Ragal last week, we’ll need to likely utilize QB spies and keep Marshawn Dortch and the 3-4 defense on the field to best match Oregon’s speed. Similar tactics will need to be employed to stop Taylor, a perfectly balanced running back.

Oregon also has a deep wide receivers group, so our secondary will need to be ready to go. They run wide open and use a lot of speedy receivers. Tory Greening is a great matchup for their top guy Brandon Garner; both are about 6-3, Greening is faster and can absolutely keep up with Garner, a possession receiver. We want to make Oregon beat us with guys like slot man Aloaire Robinson and true freshman Alex Jackson. We also like our matchups along the defensive front, but it should be a good fight in the trenches.

Our offense has evolved into a pass-first outfit, so we will need to likely go five-wide at times to try and stretch out Oregon’s deep secondary, one that does a great job at limiting yardage. Travian Kincade and Jarrid Snell are legitimate NFL players, so we’ll need the experience we have deeper down our depth chart (Marcus Rodgers, Drew Talley) to exploit some of Oregon’s younger guys like Scottie Mayle and Tyler Johnston. The Ducks have only solid linebackers, and that might be advantageous for Ashanti Swift, but I’m not sure how healthy he is and how well our offensive line will hold up (though they have been fine for the past several weeks). In the end, I think we’ll need to rely on our veteran stars and take advantage of scoring opportunities to help us pull this one out. I expect Jordan to be motivated just like last week with several records, his legacy and NFL draft stock hanging in the balance, and I think that gives us an edge.

This game is what the entire “dynasty mode” is all about, and UConn-Oregon part IV should be a great game to determine which of us is the “true” dynasty. Let’s play!

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

Pellum, Garner set for "reunions" before UConn-Oregon Part IV; Brown ready for Houston homecoming

UConn and Oregon are connected in more ways than their prior on-field skirmishes. Start with the fact that now-Oregon defensive coordinator Gary Patterson was nearly Bob Diaco's replacement, not Steve Belichick.

But if anyone is going to be happy tonight regardless of the outcome, it might be Don Pellum. UConn’s defensive coordinator was a part of Oregon’s first football national championship in 2014, serving in that role at the time. Pellum’s success at Oregon was a culmination of 20 years of service to the school, and Pellum parlayed that success to a stint as Colorado’s head coach. While that did not go as planned, UConn found a home for him as their new defensive coordinator in 2022 after Josh Conklin’s departure.

“It’s bittersweet because I do have connections to both teams,” commented Pellum. Of course I want to win with my current team, but I worked with Mark [Helfrich, Oregon head coach] for many years too. I wouldn’t be too upset if he’s the one that beats us. Everything he has accomplished as head coach over there, he has earned, 100 percent".

Oregon’s top wide receiver Brandon Garner is another who has ties to both sides. Garner, a junior, Georgia native and likely NFL declaree, was a part of the 2021 recruiting class, and nearly signed with UConn before flipping to the then-defending national champions.

“Ultimately, I think Lonte’ and Chamarkelle were the reasons I went to Oregon,” reflected Garner. “I wanted my own chance to be a star, be a leader.” Garner has done well for himself at Oregon, as he was a semifinalist for this year’s Biletnikoff award, won by Speier. But does he regret not coming to UConn? “Not really. Obviously we all would have made a ridiculously talented wide receiver group, but I’m fine with how things turned out. I talk to Lonte’ and Marky every now and then, and they’re good guys, so I have no ill will toward them or anything. I won’t be too upset if we can’t pull this out for ourselves.”

Beyond the two sides, UConn's Heisman winning quarterback Jordan Brown, from Beaumont, Texas, lives about two hours away from the stadium. He talked after the Sugar Bowl about what it would mean to win the title near home; "but I'm just trying to focus on what's ahead." He did, however, say that "it would sure be sweet to go out like that. Take some home on the road and road back home, if that makes sense."

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Injury Report Clean for Both Sides; Tago, Madison (ankle) will play

After being a last-minute scratch before the Sugar Bowl, UConn's sophomore defensive tackle Tarik Madison will start and not be limited after spraining his ankle shortly before the Iowa game.

"He feels fine and will be ready," commented coach Steven Belichick.

Madison has been a starter for most of his two seasons in a UConn uniform, and has made a big difference as an athletic run stopper, bucking the traditional "nose tackle" job filled by 3-4 defensive tackles. Fifth year senior Jeremy Broadricke started in his place and will undoubtedly see snaps in his final collegiate game.

Other than Madison, every player for every side is healthy, including Oregon's star quarterback Kai Tago, who left the Rose Bowl win over Texas with an undisclosed ankle injury of his own.

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UConn Flashback: UConn-Oregon Parts I-III + Championship Game History

As I have made no secret of mentioning, this is the fourth time that we have met UConn in the College Football Playoff, dating all the way back to Season Four! Let's take a stroll down memory lane. Click on the years to access the game recap!

2021: Orange Bowl - SEMIFINAL

In a rematch from the prior year's National Title Game, UConn looked to be in trouble once again, going down 24-7 at the half. UConn responded out of the break, however, scoring four straight touchdowns to take the lead and at one point going on a 42-7 run. UConn never looked back en route to a 49-37 triumph, advancing to the national title game and eventually defeating Nebraska.

Isaac Jackson led the way with 328 passing yards and four touchdowns, while J.P. Byers and Luke Williamson each finished with about 100 yards rushing. Devin Brown's 58-yard touchdown catch and run in the third quarter helped shift momentum for good. Heisman finalist Nelly DeWeaver was efficient, but the Oregon offense suffered when he left the game injured and Tago took over. Heisman winner Chris McGill was held to just nine carries and 49 yards before leaving with his own injury.


2020 - CFP National Championship Game

Oregon dominated from start to finish, finally putting away UConn's "team of destiny" in what turned out to be Bob Diaco's last game as UConn's head coach. Future #1 overall draft pick Nelly DeWeaver backed up his pre-game smack talk and went 20-26 through the air mixed with 197 rushing yards and two scores. Tailback Casey Swanson was great as well, adding in 154 yards and a score. Isaac Jackson tossed three interceptions and vowed to return for his fifth and final year, promising that UConn would not come up short again - he fulfilled the promise a year later.


2017 Sugar Bowl - SEMIFINAL

Josh Green (red arrow) was thought to be guarding Myers (blue arrow) on this play. However, Green ducked into the middle of the field on zone coverage, and Myers went right, leaving Green with no chance and Myers with the only TD of the game.

In a defensive battle for the ages and the lowest scoring Sugar Bowl in 45 years, UConn scored the game's only touchdown on a well designed out route by tight end Tommy Myers to cover a zone package from the linebackers. Myers ducked to the outside and quarterback Bryant Shirreffs found him for the score. UConn won 10-3. UConn held Oregon QB Morgan Mahalak and tailback Royce Freeman to just 175 yards of offense between them. Heisman runner-up Josh Marriner gained just 83 yards on the ground, but picked up several key first downs toward the end of the game to help send UConn to their first title game. They would defeat Florida a week later to win their first national title.


BONUS 1: 2017 - UConn's First National Title

No photos as this was from the gallery days, but UConn defeated Florida and Heisman winning quarterback Treon Harris to claim their first national title in rainy Miami. Josh Marriner passed 2,000 yards on the season and Bob Diaco helped cement UConn's meteoric rise; chumps to champs in just four years.



BONUS 2: 2014 (Season 1) - Oregon's First National Title

Led by Byron Marshall and Heisman snubbed Marcus Mariota, Oregon became the first College Football Playoff Champions as they went 15-0 and defeated South Carolina in the championship game (The Ducks beat Alabama in the semis). Mariota threw five touchdowns, while Ifo Ekpre-Olomu tallied three interceptions of Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson.

Huuuggghhhheeesssssssss! Even if it’s ugly, a win is a win. Looking forward to the natty rematch with Oregon

Very true, we're not playing for rankings or anything at this point. Seeing as how UConn doesn't have any blue blood rivals in the vein of an Ohio State-Michigan, Oregon has become my favorite rival because we always meet them on the big stage (sort of like Bama-Clemson in real life).

This one takes on extra meaning though because the winner takes title #3 - true dynasty status hangs in the balance. They have a great offense and they're unbeaten for a reason - we're in for a great challenge for sure!

Go Myles Garret on the Ducks.. and get that Natty...

Will be interesting to see what you have planned next..

UConn by the way has actually been really good in my dynasty. They were a Top-25 team last year after a moved them from the MAC to the American and they are 9-1 this year with 2 games left to play. Ole Miss has owned the American winning 3 straight titles, so hopefully the Huskies can knock them off their throne.

We'll go Myles Garrett sans helmet slap, I hope! I'm proud of the fact that we have had no discipline issues in Belichick's tenure.. we had problems with that at the end of the Diaco era. Anyway, as cool as it is to reach the championship again, I can't wait to get the end of season stuff up. We (implying not just UConn) had a bit of a wild offseason...

I appreciate the info about UConn -- I haven't been able to read any other dynasties lately, unfortunately . Nevertheless, there are certain teams that always seem to do well no matter what dynasty it is (and I don't just mean the service academies.) Teams like UConn and Minnesota always seem to become perennial top 25 contenders for some reason. It's nice to see some new faces, if nothing else.

Thanks guys! Hoping to have the natty game up later this week!

[rybrady732]

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

Excited to see how this plays out! Good luck!

[jpfine]

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

Love the stroll down memory lane part, put together nicely! Can't wait to see the result of UCONN-Oregon Part IV!

[thesportsguru11]

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

(2) 41 --- 14-1

(1) 18 --- 14-1

FAIRYTALE ENDING

Led by Dortch pick-six, UConn uses second-half domination to bury Oregon, win program’s third national championship; Jordan Brown sets school, NCAA records to cap off legendary season, complete with title win near hometown; Huskies ready to close the curtain on “Big Three” era as Brown, Speier and Byrom and maybe Coach Belichick set to decide NFL intentions soon



Beaumont native Jordan Brown salutes his “hometown” crowd at Houston's NRG Stadium in what is likely his final time in a UConn uniform; Coach Steve Belichick holds the Crystal Ball Trophy for the second time in three years.

Every national championship is special. This one takes on a bit more meaning, though. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to pin down who UConn’s third national championship is dedicated to. This one is for more than just the 70 men on our team and the coaching staff. More than Jordan Brown, the hero of the year, and his hometown fans in Houston. This is for UConn's fans, the program, the supporters of the UConn journey dating back ten seasons, five years in real time. This one is even for Bob Diaco, who helped sow the seeds of this dynasty for seven years, and the players of this current era mere weeks before jetting off to the NFL (and eventually back to the college ranks).

This title is, unmistakably, for everyone. The realization set in for UConn at some point in the fourth quarter. After a humongous third period where the Huskies sucked the soul out of Oregon, including a momentum-busting pick six on a wacky screen play taken back by one of UConn’s young defensive studs. After Jordan Brown shattered the NCAA records for single-season passing yards and touchdowns. After the clock hit zeroes on UConn’s 41-18 triumph, cementing their third national championship in ten years, and second in three, it all came together. We have something special here. For everyone.

“I don’t think we’re your traditional power school, in that we never have a ton of big names, but we just play hard and play prepared. We’ve had to overcome a lot of adversity this season,” noted Jordan after the game. “We could have given up after we stumbled out of the gate, after Ashanti and Devin’s collarbones, after the Syracuse loss. We just kept improving. We knew it was playoff or bust all year, and it feels validating seeing that come to fruition.”

It came to fruition in typical UConn fashion. Keep it close early, get a feel for things on defense and offense, and then pounce. Execute with lightning speed, and pull away late to coast home. The game shaped up to be a close one early, as both teams were careful with the ball, trying to maximize every possession. It would be UConn who put the first points on the board on their first possession of the game. Highlighted by a 48-yard pitch and catch to Marcus Rodgers, Mike Molden stuffed home the game’s first points on a four-yard touchdown dive up the middle. “Fitting that two old hag seniors like us made some big plays,” commented Molden with a smile and laugh; Molden and Rodgers are among the team’s fifth year seniors who go out on top in their final collegiate game.

Oregon would get on the board and equalize the score early in the second quarter as star tailback Willie Taylor capped off a 16-play drive with a one yard touchdown run on a fourth and goal situation. Both teams traded field goals later in the period before UConn took the lead into halftime with a two-yard play action bootleg pass from Jordan Brown to freshman tight end Evan Jeppesen.

Devin Brown (LEFT) and Evan Jeppesen (RIGHT) accounted for all three of UConn’s receiving touchdowns.

While the game was tight early and Oregon had success running the ball, the game changed for good in the third quarter. UConn got the ball first and promptly scored on a blistering eight-play, 87 yard drive ending in a Devin Brown five-yard touchdown catch. That pass tied Jordan for the NCAA record for touchdowns in a season at 58. “Devin is such a critical part of our offense,” observed Jordan after the game. “He impacts the game in a lot of ways with his moves, his speed and his awareness. We really missed him while he was gone earlier this year.”

Oregon went three and out on their next drive and with a 24-10 lead, UConn looked to put the game away for good. Anthony Ricciardi tacked on his second field goal of the day from 28 yards out to push the lead to 17 points. Linzell Tyson was able to secure an interception of Kai Tago on Oregon’s next drive, but UConn gave it right back with a Jordan Brown interception in the end zone, Travian Kincade coming up with the robbery. “I tried to force stuff toward the end, which is dumb and I should know better,” commented Jordan. “All game there was a lot to process for me, and I made a few mistakes that thankfully did not impact anything.”

No matter, however, as UConn’s defense bailed out the superstar. For many years under the Diaco era, UConn lived and died by their defense. UConn won their first national title largely because of their defense. This has changed under the Steve Belichick regime; this year’s defensive unit was thought to be too young, too inexperienced and frankly not good enough at points in the season. They showed their maturity on the big stage, however, and came up with a play that will go down in program lore along with other memorable plays and moments over the past ten seasons. The epic Ohio State comeback, Arkeel Newsome’s walk-off kick return touchdown, Chamarkelle Byrom’s winning touchdown for Natty #2, the Harris Heave. All great plays, but “The Pick Six” might have them all beat in terms of legacy shaping, and UConn’s newest stars were the ones responsible, the ones who will hold the torch for UConn football for years to come.

UConn has started two Belichick recruits at linebacker for the last half of the season, freshman Payton Ash and sophomore Marshawn Dortch. Dortch in particular has had a penchant for always being near the ball, and it showed in the biggest way. On the very next play after the Kincade interception, Oregon sold out for a screen pass, and Ash blew it up immediately on a blitz. Ash got his hands on Tago right as he let it go, and the ball popped up right above the pile being created below. With about four defenders in the area, it was Dortch, a star since being inserted into the lineup in October, who had enough awareness to run toward the pile, then use some nice footwork to avoid a few downed bodies while stumbling into the end zone. The UConn fan section erupted, Jordan’s friends from Houston erupted, and UConn was in cruise control with a 34-10 lead.

“You have to always be looking for the ball,” commented Dortch. “It’s really that simple.”

Tally on one more iconic play to the UConn highlight reel; Payton Ash (#10) busts the Oregon screen play as Tago lets the ball go; Marshawn Dortch (#9) evades the pile, grabs the ball and stumbles into the end zone for a momentum-busting interception; UConn never looked back.

Oregon fought valiantly to get back in the game, to their credit. Taylor (20 carries, 112 yards, two touchdowns) shed off some tackles en route to his best run of the day by far, a 66-yard touchdown scamper followed by a two-point conversion, and Kincade recorded another Jordan interception. UConn was simply too much to handle, however.

Aaron Brook ended a promising Oregon drive at the start of the fourth quarter with UConn’s third interception of the day, and Jordan finally got touchdown #59 and the passing yardage record also with a second scoring pass to Jeppesen. When the carnage ended, UConn was on top, 41-18, and the victorious team joined together at midfield to receive their third national championship trophy.

Willie Taylor is followed by a convoy into the end zone for a 66-yard touchdown.


Aaron Brook (LEFT) intercepts Kai Tago (RIGHT) for the team’s third interception of the day. Tago, a Heisman finalist, had a rough day, accounting for no touchdowns.

“It’s everything we could have ever asked for,” commented Jordan. While he was not perfect, he was still undoubtedly the player of the game, carrying UConn on his back one final time, completing 25 of his 44 passes for 364 yards, and three touchdowns. Jordan completes the best individual season perhaps in NCAA history with 5,842 yards and 59 touchdowns, both national records. Jordan will also finish his junior year with multiple UConn career records, surpassing his offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky (we'll take a look at all the records in the "season stats" post later on). Jordan will almost certainly look ahead to the NFL Draft, where he is the likely top selection come April. Alex Paige was another star of the day, picking up eight catches for 117 yards. It was a good day to cap off a good season for the junior tight end and former quarterback, who will likely be the leading returning receiver next year. Chamarkelle Byrom (6 catches for 89 yards) and Lonte’ Speier (2 catches for 40 yards) capped off their junior seasons, and likely their UConn careers, with rather quiet outputs.

The sophomore Dortch led all players with eleven tackles plus a forced fumble early in the going and the interception and touchdown. Dortch will look to become the leader of the defense next fall with Kion East’s impending graduation. It remains to be seen whether some of UConn’s other defensive leaders, such as Kiel Hughes, Tory Greening or Brook, will declare for the NFL Draft or stay as fifth-year seniors.

Both sides’ star players were somewhat quiet; Taylor (LEFT) had two touchdowns for Oregon but only about 60 yards outside of a long touchdown run, while Lonte’ Speier (RIGHT) only had two catches. Travian Kincade (#7, Oregon) recorded two interceptions of Jordan Brown.

After a much-hyped up pre-game as the two teams met for the fourth time in Playoff competition, UConn now moves to 3-1 against Oregon and avenges their 2020 Championship Game loss. “They’ve got our number more than a few times now,” commented a disappointed Oregon head coach in Mark Helfrich. “They’re the best for a reason.” It was a bit of a tough day all around for the previously undefeated Ducks, as Heisman finalist and future top five draft pick Kai Tago was only 17-29 passing for 181 yards, got little going on the ground and recorded zero touchdowns. Star wide receiver Brandon Garner only made one catch for six yards. Some of Oregon's best defensive players, namely star linebacker Gaylan Riley and defensive end A.J. Robinson, were almost completely silent.

“I’m forever thankful that we do have a national title in my time here, but it stings to go out with such a poor performance,” noted Tago. “We have a lot of respect for UConn based on our past meetings, and they just outplayed us today, plain and simple. That falls squarely on my shoulders.”

Hopefully Tago does not feel too down on himself as even if he had played perfectly, it is impossible to know if that would have been enough to top UConn’s 41-point performance. We labeled this UConn team as “playoff or bust” before the season because it was impossible to predict when UConn would be back. Lots of talent will return, but lots of talent will leave at the end of the year. This was UConn’s best chance, and they seized the national stage with flying colors, especially late in the season with that ridiculous tear over the last seven games. Typical of a Belichick-coached team to save their best for last.

No matter the route, as topsy-turvy as it was at times this year, we have title #3 and no one can take that away. As the “Big Three” era, the Belichick era, the Jordan Brown Heisman freaking Trophy era, whatever you wish to call it, might be at or nearing its end, the foundation and the credentials of the dynasty remains stable. It has been spoken, it has been reinforced, time and again. We have a football team, too.

Connecticut Huskies at Oregon Ducks
Jan 8, 2024	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#2 Connecticut Huskies (14-1)	7	10	17	7	41
#1 Oregon Ducks (14-1)	0	10	8	0	18

Team Stats Comparison
	CONN	ORE
Total Offense	486	359
Rushing Yards	122	172
Passing Yards	364	187
First Downs	27	17
Punt Return Yards	13	17
Kick Return Yards	15	30
Total Yards	514	406
Turnovers	2	4
3rd Down Conversion	5-11 (45%)	5-15 (33%)
4th Down Conversion	0-0	2-3 (66%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0	1-1
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	6-4-1 (83%)	2-1-0 (50%)
Penalties	0-0	0-0
Possession Time	18:16	17:44

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		CONN	ORE
5:29	(CONN) Molden 4 run (Ricciardi kick)	7	0
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		CONN	ORE
8:33	(ORE) Taylor 1 run (Whitworth kick)	7	7
6:33	(CONN) Ricciardi 47 FG	10	7
2:38	(ORE) Whitworth 45 FG	10	10
:30	(CONN) Jeppesen 2 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	17	10
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		CONN	ORE
6:49	(CONN) Brown 5 pass J. Brown (Riccardi kick)	24	10
4:33	(CONN) Ricciardi 28 FG	27	10
3:07	(CONN) Dortch returned INT 8 yards (Ricciardi kick)	34	10
2:22	(ORE) Taylor 66 run (2-pt good)	34	18
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		CONN	ORE
4:36	(CONN) Jeppesen 4 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	41	18

Connecticut Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Jordan Brown 25-44 364 3 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Ashanti Swift 20 83 4.1 0 Mike Molden 3 33 11.0 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Alex Paige 8 117 14.6 0 Chamarkelle Byrom 6 89 14.8 0 Devin Brown 5 62 12.4 1 Lonte' Speier 2 40 20.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Marshawn Dortch 11 (2) 0 1 1 Kiel Hughes 8 (3) 1 0 0 Payton Ash 8 (2) 0 0 0 Linzell Tyson 6 (2) 0 1 0 Tarik Madison 3 (1) 1 0 0 Aaron Brook 2 0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Anthony Ricciardi 2-2 5-5 11 48

Oregon Ducks PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Kai Tago 17-29 181 0 3 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Willie Taylor 20 112 5.6 2 Kai Tago 20 48 2.4 0 Lee Mootin 2 14 7.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Aloaire Robinson 6 85 14.1 0 Janarion Williston 3 34 11.3 0 Alex Jackson 3 21 7.0 0 Brandon Garner 1 6 6.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Vontez Maybin 9 0 0 0 Kyontay Draper 7 (2) 2 0 0 Travian Kincade 7 0 2 0 Danoy Holleman III 3 (1) 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Tyler Whitworth 1-1 1-1 4 46

What a way to send off the season. Jordan Brown throws his record-breaking 59th touchdown, this one to Jeppesen, a few minutes before the end of the game.

NEXT: End of Season Around the NCAA - Year 10 Wrap-Up

[thesportsguru11]

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

Excited to see how this plays out! Good luck!

Love the stroll down memory lane part, put together nicely! Can't wait to see the result of UCONN-Oregon Part IV!

Thanks to the both of you, great to see you both here again. It was a really bittersweet, but exciting game to play. So happy we got another national title with the core we have built over the past four seasons, and especially so as many of these guys get ready to graduate or declare for the NFL Draft.

(rybrady: nice avatar - source: former Vermont native. I have lots of friends at UVM.)

[rybrady732]

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

Congrats on the title! Heck of a season 14-1 and winning BIG in the championship game. If the second half was as close as the first it would've been a game for the ages! No doubt. But it is always nice to win comfortably, especially in this game where they almost make you give up big leads.

As for Vermont! Always been my favorite place, my grandparents retired up there in the late 70s, early 80's near Smugglers Notch. So growing up (I'm 28) the Vermont basketball team (Sorentine, Copenrath) was dominant and I always went to go watch when my grandma was at the hospital on the UVM campus. Still a huge Catamount fan to this day, unfortunately the school didn't have sports management. Go Cats

Looking forward to the offseason!

[thesportsguru11]

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

BOWL NAME	RESULT
Gildan New Mexico Bowl	UTSA (8-6) def. Boise State (6-8) 38-28
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl	Hawai'i (8-5) def. #21 Ball State (10-3) 38-35
Dish Network Poinsettia Bowl	Eastern Michigan (9-4) def. Air Force (7-6) 49-37
Tropicana St. Petersburg Bowl	West Virginia (7-6) def. UCF (6-7) 28-21
CenturyLink New Orleans Bowl	Western Kentucky (10-3) def. Idaho (6-7) 35-7
Amazon Las Vegas Bowl	Temple (7-6) def. Colorado (6-7) 42-28
Sheraton Aloha Bowl	San Jose State (7-6) def. FIU (7-6) 35-31
Ford Motor City Bowl	Purdue (7-6) def. Northern Illinois (9-4) 26-17
CitiBank Military Bowl	SMU (9-5) def. Miami-OH (10-4) 34-16
Chevron Holiday Bowl	#16 Stanford (9-4) def. Texas Tech (6-7) 27-7
Nassau Paradise Island Bahamas Bowl	Florida State (9-4) def. East Carolina (9-5) 49-17
Gander Outdoors Independence Bowl	Virginia Tech (7-6) def. South Alabama (9-4) 45-42
AutoNation Orlando Bowl	#19 Auburn (10-3) def. #24 Army (9-4) 17-0
Phillips 66 Bluebonnet Bowl	Houston (7-6) def. Penn State (7-7) 48-28
Cessna Armed Forces Bowl	#11 Virginia (10-3) def. Georgia (7-6) 29-20
Intel Silicon Valley Classic	#20 BYU (9-4) def. Washington State (6-7) 35-16
Valero Alamo Bowl	Oklahoma (9-4) def. #15 Arizona State (10-3) 38-24
Buffalo Wild Wings Cactus Bowl	Michigan State (7-6) def. Baylor (6-7) 31-28
Dollar General Music City Bowl	Clemson (8-5) def. LSU (7-6) 42-37
Sysco Sun Bowl	#14 North Carolina (10-3) def. #23 Arizona (7-6) 37-16
New Era Pinstripe Bowl	Memphis (8-5) def. Ohio State (6-7) 17-10
Fidelity Financial Bowl	Kentucky (8-6) def. Illinois (7-6) 35-21
NextEra Energy Citrus Bowl	#22 Arkansas State (11-3) def. Mississippi State (8-5) 45-28
Outback Bowl	#17 Alabama (9-4) def. #13 Nebraska (9-4) 59-31
AutoZone Liberty Bowl	South Carolina (8-5) def. #25 Louisiana Tech (10-4) 38-28
Bank of America Bowl	Florida (7-6) def. Navy (7-6) 24-14
GoDaddy Hall of Fame Classic	Toledo (9-5) def. Troy (7-6) 35-23
NEW YEAR'S SIX
Capital One Orange Bowl	#9 Syracuse (11-2) def. #7 Minnesota (10-3) 34-24
Chase Bank Fiesta Bowl	#18 Fresno State (12-2) def. #10 USC (11-3) 35-34
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl	#8 Wisconsin (11-2) def. #6 Georgia Tech (12-2) 35-26
Goodyear Cotton Bowl	#12 TCU (11-2) def. #5 Ole Miss (12-2) 34-31
Rose Bowl pres. by Northwestern Mutual (CFP SEMI)	#1 Oregon (14-0) def. #4 Texas (12-2) 45-28
Allstate Sugar Bowl (CFP SEMI)	#2 UConn (13-1) def. #3 Iowa (12-2) 34-22
CFP National Championship Game	#2 UConn (14-1) def. #1 Oregon (14-1) 41-18

2023 NCAA National Award Winners
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Heisman Memorial Trophy	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Maxwell Award	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Walter Camp Award	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Chuck Bednarik Award	Ian Day	LB	Texas Tech
Bronko Nagurski Trophy	Dantre' Mueller	DE	Auburn
Davey O'Brien Award	Loren Talgett	QB	Fresno State
Doak Walker Award	Mark Finley	RB	Wisconsin
Fred Biletnikoff Award	Lonte' Speier	WR	UConn
John Mackey Award	Asa Cooper	TE	Florida State
Outland Trophy	Nathan Cochran	C	Texas
Rimington Trophy	Nathan Cochran	C	Texas
Lombardi Award	Dantre' Mueller	DE	Auburn
Linebacker of the Year	Ian Day	LB	Texas Tech
Jim Thorpe Award	Darrin Stevens	CB	Texas
Lou Groza Award	Jason Judy	K	Texas
Ray Guy Award	Chad Mills	P	Ole Miss
Returner of the Year	Marcus Rodgers	WR	UConn

Coach of the Year: Josh Conklin, Iowa
Broyles Award (top assistant): Dan Orlovsky, UConn

UConn Other Notables:
2nd Team All-Americans:

TE Alex Paige, T Korey Davis-Love, DE Kiel Hughes, DT Tarik Madison, LB Payton Ash, CB Tory Greening

2nd Team All-ACC: DE Demetris Sands

National Stats Leaders

Passer Rating
180.1 - Loren Talgett, Fresno State (SR)
179.9 - Tommy Ragal - Iowa (rSR)
179.0 - Zander Levine, Maryland (SR)
178.0 - Carson Mlanda, Florida State (rSR)
176.1 - Javan Woods, Western Kentucky (rJR)

Completions
406 - Jordan Brown, UConn (JR)
285 - T.J. Smith, West Virginia (rSR)
276 - Franklin Brady, Eastern Michigan (rSR)
270 - Loren Talgett, Fresno State (SR)
269 - Carson Mlanda, Florida State (rSR)

Attempts
609 - Jordan Brown, UConn (JR)
540 - Franklin Brady, Eastern Michigan (rSR)
483 - T.J. Smith, West Virginia (rSR)
454 - LeVince Drybeck, Texas Tech (SO)
440 - Keegan Killian, Virginia Tech (rSR)

Passing Yards
5842 - Jordan Brown, UConn (JR)
4097 - Carson Mlanda, Florida State (rSR)
4051 - Loren Talgett, Fresno State (SR)
3823 - Franklin Brady, Eastern Michigan (rSR)
3755 - Javan Woods, Western Kentucky (rJR)

Passing Touchdowns
59 - Jordan Brown, UConn (JR)
46 - Loren Talgett, Fresno St. (SR)
39 - Sharron Fowler, BYU (rSO)
39 - Jacqua Jackson, Stanford (rSR)
39 - Javan Woods, Western Kentucky (rJR)

Rushing Attempts
377 - Terrance Berry, Miami-OH (JR)
317 - Bo Smith, Toledo (rSR)
311 - Terence Wilson, Louisiana Tech (rSR)
299 - Mike Rutledge, Temple (rSR)
292 - Josh Brandt, Air Force (SR)

Rush Yards
1942 - Terrance Berry, Miami-OH (JR)
1896 - Mike Rutledge, Temple (rSR)
1887 - Bo Smith, Toledo (rSR)
1809 - Mark Finley, Wisconsin (rSR)
1778 - Eric Baker, SMU (rSR)

Rushing Touchdowns
20 - Josh Brandt, Air Force (SR)
20 - Terence Wilson, Louisiana Tech (rSR)
19 - C.J. McLaughlin, Minnesota (rJR)
19 - Terrance Berry, Miami-OH (JR)
19 - Mike Rutledge, Temple (rSR)

Receptions
104 - Landon Puckett, Michigan St. (JR)
102 - Matt Lloyd, Akron (SR)
102 - Quennell Bell, Pitt (rSO)
101 - Colby Davis, West Virginia (rJR)
95 - Byron Motley, Eastern Michigan (JR)

Yards
1674 - Lonte’ Speier, UConn (JR)
1613 - Chamarkelle Byrom, UConn (JR)
1554 - Landon Puckett, Michigan St. (JR)
1488 - Cameron Frazier, Stanford (rSR)
1445 - Quennell Bell, Pitt (rSO)

Receiving Touchdowns
18 - Ryan Medlock, Fresno State (SR)
18 - Cameron Frazier, Stanford (rSR)
17 - Di’Onta Gray, Ole Miss (rSR)
17 - Brandon Garner, Oregon (JR)
17 - Chamarkelle Byrom, UConn (JR)

Tackles
125 - Ian Day, Texas Tech (rSR)
123 - Kion East, UConn (rSR)
109 - Vernon Faison, Washington State (rSR)
109 - Brandon Davis, Indiana (rSR)
108 - Lance Morton, Oregon State (rJR)

TFL
36 - Lonzell Buckley, Baylor (rSO)
36 - Jeff Harvego, Central Michigan (rSR)
33 - Dantre’ Mueller, Auburn (SR)
31 - Kurtis Drysbeck, Baylor (FR)
31 - Terrance Frank, Georgia (rSR)

Sacks
19 - Kiel Hughes, UConn (rJR)
12.5 - Dantre’ Mueller, Auburn (SR)
12.5 - Lonzell Buckley, Baylor (rSO)
10.5 - Terrance Perry, Idaho (rJR)
10.5 - Jeff Harvego, Central Michigan (rSR)

Interceptions
8 - Eddye Tate III, Georgia (SR)
7 - Linzell Tyson, UConn (SO)
7 - Ross Bennett, Akron (rSR)
6 - Darrin Stevens, Texas (JR)
6 - X’Zaviae Godfrey, Iowa (rSO)
6 - Paul Evans, Cal (rSR)

Punting Average
45.6 - Joey Schneider, USF (SR)
45.5 - Isaac Bray, UCLA (SR)
45.0 - Kyle January, UConn (JR)
44.9 - Derrick Patrick, Clemson (SR)
44.3 - Cole Westmoreland, Maryland (SR)

NEXT: ?? CAC Wrap-Up? News? (IDK, to be honest. Just wanted to give some sort of warning). *shrug*

Congrats on the title! Heck of a season 14-1 and winning BIG in the championship game. If the second half was as close as the first it would've been a game for the ages! No doubt. But it is always nice to win comfortably, especially in this game where they almost make you give up big leads.

As for Vermont! Always been my favorite place, my grandparents retired up there in the late 70s, early 80's near Smugglers Notch. So growing up (I'm 28) the Vermont basketball team (Sorentine, Copenrath) was dominant and I always went to go watch when my grandma was at the hospital on the UVM campus. Still a huge Catamount fan to this day, unfortunately the school didn't have sports management. Go Cats

Looking forward to the offseason!

Thanks much! With all the classic games and finishes we've had (title #2 was a thriller), I can forgive title #3 for falling short of the big game hype we placed on it before. I said at the start of the year...title or bust so naturally I'm beyond happy we made it happen. The season has been really drawn out at this point, but it's still incredible looking back at all the progress we made this season. From the slow start to the boom at the end.. truly a special season we had. Now we just wait for the exodus of all of our best players and see what the carnage leaves behind. We'll be a lot younger next year with lots of new starters, but enough quality players will return to the point where we should have another competitive team, at least.

Re; Vermont.. Very cool to hear! We were further south (2 hours out of Burlington), but really anywhere in the state is a great place. I have lots of friends at UVM, so I've been invested in their success for most of my life as well. Sorentine and Copenrath were around when I was little, and as I grew up it was the Marqus Blakely show.. it's been even more fun watching them over the past five years, I'm glad Becker has stayed around as coach as long as he has. I mentioned in the thread a while back that a friend of mine is one of the student managers for the team and he's good friends with Anthony Lamb, the new star over there, so many of us from our high school watch their games intently (for them and the school hahah). It's awesome how successful they are and how much of a following they generate.

[thesportsguru11]

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

* Go back to the last page for CFP Title Game Recap and Around the NCAA End of Year Edition.

As usual, there were some very deserving finalists this year. In the end, however, I don't think there was any contest for this year's award. Since joining the CAC alumni ranks last year, 23-year old Foxke Brihay has lit up everyone. He engineered a 10-win season as San Diego State's offensive coordinator, and then nearly pulled off a worst to first turnaround for Arizona State in one year. As the first-year head coach of the Sun Devils, Brihay coaxed a Heisman finalist season out of Mike Miles Jr. and career years out of many others, including running back Brett Brooks and defensive linemen Joel Harvey, Will Gonzalez and Tre'Shawn Dockett. ASU came one win away from reaching the New Year's Six after having no more than eight wins in the previous nine years.

The Devils limped to the finish to sour what was shaping up to be a historic season, and ASU graduates a lot of players, but the future looks to be extremely bright in Tempe.

CAC COY Winners:

2023 - Foxke Brihay (HC, Arizona State, nofx94)
2022 - Caleb Henderson (OC, E. Michigan, NewscasterNews4)
2021 - J.J. Mac (OC, UTEP, RedRaider10)

(Awarded Retroactively):
2016 OC Quinn Shea, Marshall, thesportsguru11
2017 OC Kaelyn Willingham, Rice, kswgrad2012
2018 HC Quinn Shea, USC, thesportsguru11
2019 DC Brennan Smith, Purdue, bryan3169
2020 (shared) OC Max Crenshaw, Central Michigan, whughes, HC Dale Miller, Louisiana, glunsford

CAC Year in Review

HC Quinn Shea (thesportsguru11) - Season Record: 11-3, 9-0, #12 AP, lost Pac-12 Championship, Fiesta Bowl (seventh season, eighth in CAC pool)

Carlton Corder: 210-336 (62%), 2794 yds, 29 TD, 7 INT, 99 rush, 391 yds, 2 TD
Baron Baggarly: 246 rush, 1416 yds, 17 TD
Quedell Barrett: 64 rec, 869 yds, 9 TD
Breon Atkins: 48 rec, 715 yds, 7 TD
Travarrius McPope: 74 tckl (22 TFL), 5.5 sacks, INT, FF
Kavonte Dafontay: 74 tckl (5 TFL), sack, 3 INT

HC Dale Miller (glunsford) - Season Record: 3-9, 2-6 (third season, sixth in CAC pool)

Maurice Carter: 102-241, 1369 yds, 7 TD, 17 INT, 178 rush, 541 yds, 4 TD
L.C. Chatman: 152 rush, 839 yds, 6 TD
E.J. Swift: 137 rush, 757 yds, 5 TD
Adam McQueen: 46 rec, 743 yds, 3 TD
Brad Randolph: 75 tckl (18 TFL), 5 sacks, 2 FF, FR, TD
Brandon Wadsworth: 62 tckl (5 TFL), 2 sacks

HC Bob Trebell (DrGravyBoat) - Season Record: 8-5, 4-4, won Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (fifth season, sixth in CAC pool)

Madison Terrell: 200-329, 2569 yds, 24 TD, 4 INT, rush TD
Trandon Kloss: 239 rush, 1430 yds, 8 TD
Kenny Rock: 158 rush, 813 yds, 12 TD
Jeremy Carpenter: 88 rec, 1296 yds, 10 TD
Davon Mills: 56 rec, 691 yds, 7 TD
Joa Zoriak: 90 tckl (15 TFL), 2.5 sacks
Adam Thompson: 81 tckl (18 TFL), 5 sacks
Byron Irby: 59 tckl (18 TFL), 6 sacks

HC Sam Freday (RoundingThird) - Season Record: 4-8, 3-5 (fourth season, eighth season in CAC pool)

Rowan Garrett: 165-333, 2181 yds, 14 TD, 4 INT
Quentez Terrell: 181 rush, 1003 yds, 10 TD
Brian Darby: 46 rec, 722 yds, TD
Ricky Weber: 34 rec, 500 yds, 4 TD
C.J. Ruffin: 76 tckl (7 TFL), 2 sacks
Tyree Irvin: 70 tckl (20 TFL), 4 sacks
Erik Hickman: 27 tckl, 4 INT

HC Foxke Brihay (nofx94) - Season Record: 10-3, 7-2, lost Valero Alamo Bowl, #18 AP (first season, second season in CAC pool)

Mike Miles Jr.: 186-294, 2696 yds, 26 TD, 6 INT, 207 rush, 1064 yds, 10 TD
Brett Brooks: 259 rush, 1332 yds, 10 TD
Corey Moore: 113 rush, 612 yds, 7 TD
Ben Bower: 58 rec, 804 yds, 5 TD
Matt Jones: 53 rec, 744 yds, 11 TD
Tre’Shawn Dockett: 81 tckl (14 TFL), 4 sacks, FF
Will Gonzalez: 71 tckl (21 TFL), 6 sacks, FF
Ryan Gipson: 34 tckl, 3 INT

HC Kaelyn Willingham (kswgrad2012) - Season Record: 6-7, 3-6, lost Intel Silicon Valley Classic (sixth season, eighth in CAC pool)

Beckett Lofton: 107-223, 1507 yds, 15 TD, 11 INT, 162 rush, 543 yds, 4 TD
Brian Pittman: 182 rush, 993 yds, 5 TD
Je’Various Phillips: 225 rush, 912 yds, 6 TD
Raven Robinson: 37 rec, 514 yds, 7 TD
Vernon Faison: 109 tckl (17 TFL), 3.5 sacks, INT
J.T. Martin: 62 tckl (21 TFL), 6.5 sacks
Corey Davison: 49 tckl (17 TFL), 7.5 sacks

HC Connor Turley (convict38) - Season Record: 6-7, 4-4, lost Buffalo Wild Wings Cactus Bowl (first season, fifth season in CAC pool)

Bubba Collins: 93-222, 1311 yds, 7 TD, 9 INT
Josh Key: 228 rush, 1286 yds, 15 TD
Tim Nichols: 196 rush, 970 yds, 7 TD
James Armstrong: 46 rec, 677 yds, 7 TD
Kurtis Drysbeck: 101 tckl (31 TFL), 9 sacks, INT, FF (true freshman)
Robert Roberson: 78 tckl (16 TFL), 5 sacks
Lonzell Buckley: 76 tckl (36 TFL), 13 sacks
Waydell Johns: 61 tckl, 2 sacks, 2 INT

HC William Brooks (TheOtherPotterGuy) - Season Record: 6-7, 4-4, lost Chevron Holiday Bowl (first season, fourth in CAC pool)

LeVince Drybeck: 206-454, 2840 yds, 21 TD, 17 INT, 103 rush, 550 yds, TD
Dedrick Coley: 103 rush, 550 yds, TD
Jaelon Duggan: 73 rec, 1077 yds, 8 TD
Chase Kelly: 51 rec, 712 yds, 9 TD
Ian Day: 125 tckl (26 TFL), 6.5 sacks, 2 INT, 7 FF, 3 FR
Brian Hall: 94 tckl (17 TFL), 3 sacks
Lester Thomas: 56 tckl (2 sacks), 3 INT

HC Caleb Henderson (NewscasterNews4) - Season Record: 9-4, 6-3, won Poinsettia Bowl (first season at position, fourth in CAC pool)

Franklin Brady: 276-540, 3823 yds, 38 TD, 16 INT, 197 rush, 696 yds, 6 TD
DeAaron Woodley: 69 rush, 365 yds, 3 TD
Byron Motley: 95 rec, 1424 yds, 13 TD
Brian Boyd: 78 rec, 1116 yds, 16 TD
J.T. Dennison: 96 tckl (23 TFL), 6 sacks, 3 INT, 3 FF
Riley Bosworth: 87 tckl (17 TFL), 4.5 sacks, 5 INT, FR
Kalvin Bonner: 83 tckl (23 TFL), 5.5 sacks, 3 FF

OC Brian Woodard (mattynokes) - Season Record: 1-11, 0-9 (fourth season, eighth in CAC pool)

Justice Duvont: 177-371, 2381 yds, 20 TD, 14 INT, 196 rush, 898 yds, 3 TD
Damon Bucolo: 65 rush, 414 yds, 4 TD
Yannick Pither: 42 rec, 671 yds, 5 TD
Brad Witherspoon: 37 rec, 560 yds, 9 TD


OC Jordan James (HARLEE23) - Season Record: 4-8, 2-7 (first season, seventh in CAC pool)

David Nicholas: 151-332, 1900 yds, 14 TD, 12 INT, 2 rush TD
De’Andre Galloway: 162 rush, 757 yds, 8 TD
Kenny Davidson: 50 rec, 567 yds, 5 TD

DC Brennan Smith (bryan3169) - Season Record: 4-8, 2-7 (first season, sixth in CAC pool)

Blake Felder: 80 tckl (17 TFL), 5.5 sacks, FF
Kavon Billingsley: 77 tckl (13 TFL), 3 sacks, FF
Montez Dupree: 61 tckl, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, FF, FR
Randell Stuhl: 43 tckl, 4 INT

DC Xavier Stephenson (young22) - Season Record: 7-5, 4-4, lost Fidelity Financial Bowl (first season)

Josh Dickson: 102 tckl (21 TFL), 6.5. sacks, 2 INT, FF
Shane Meredith: 71 tckl (15 TFL), 4.5 sacks
Brydell Siler: 56 tckl (13 TFL), 4.5 sacks
Jason Kelly: 40 tckl, 4 INT

OC Tyrell Coley (Knickerbocker91) - Season Record: 5-7, 3-6 (sixth season)

Xavier Browne: 138-284, 1955 yds, 19 TD, 11 INT, 409 rush yds, 2 TD
John Keenan: 146 rush, 708 yds, 7 TD
Torrance Ardois: 123 rush, 647 yds, 6 TD
Woodrow Shuman: 72 rec, 989 yds, 10 TD
Brendan Tangier: 36 rec, 466 yds, 5 TD

OC Ricky Jacobsen (slicknick3822) - Season Record: 5-7, 4-4 (third season)

Graham Saulsberry: 103-243, 1417 yds, 13 TD, 8 INT, 145 rush, 537 yds, 3 TD
Courtney Townsend: 216 rush, 1280 yds, 9 TD
Cliff Stone: 98 yds, 511 yds, 5 TD
JaCorey Sullivan: 51 rec, 814 yds, 6 TD


DC Bud Kilmer Jr. (xboxxerx) - Season Record: 3-9, 1-7 (second season)

Antone Freeney: 87 tckl (18 TFL), 5 sacks, INT
Galen Plunkett: 62 tkcl (21 TFL), 5 sacks, 2 FF, FR
Joe Clark: 57 tckl (13 TFL), 5 sacks
Jeff Roach: 20 tckl, 3 INT

OC Matthew King (ThaBoss18) - Season Record: 8-5, 5-4, won New Era Pinstripe Bowl (sixth season)

Lionel Armstrong: 154-284, 2062 yds, 17 TD, 13 INT, 192 rush, 976 yds, 8 TD
Ryan Peterson: 194 rush, 914 yds, 7 TD
Amos Zaxby: 119 rush, 515 yds, 6 TD
Clint Lowe: 41 rec, 479 yds, 6 TD

OC Emmett Nama (BookWork123) - Season Record: 2-10, 1-7 (first season, fifth in CAC pool)

Axel Houk: 170-340, 2369 yds, 19 TD, 9 INT
Tevan Cleveland: 169 rush, 859 yds, 6 TD
Nick Sharp: 100 rush, 531 yds, 5 TD
Westen Oden: 67 rec, 942 yds, 6 TD
Elliott MacLean: 35 rec, 564 yds, 5 TD

OC Ryan Sorbera (YaBoySorbs) - Season Record: 7-6, 5-4, won Las Vegas Bowl (second season)

Sebastian Safanarian: 129-254, 1587 yds, 19 TD, 3 INT, 256 rush yds, 4 TD
Mike Rutledge: 299 rush, 1896 yds, 19 TD
Travis Moore: 147 rush, 783 yds, 6 TD
Eddie Martin: 37 rec, 451 yds, 8 TD

OC Equanimeous St. Brown Sr. (TheRosterMaster) - Season Record: 2-10, 1-8 (fifth season)

Kendall Trotter: 208-414, 2924 yds, 22 TD, 13 INT, 3 rush TD
Terrance Falardy: 120 rush, 801 yds, 14 TD
Robert Scott: 113 rush, 675 yds, 3 TD
Charles Cade: 52 rec, 946 yds, 9 TD

OC J.J. Mac (RedRaider10) - Season Record: 4-8, 3-6 (sixth season)

Fausto Garcia: 123-252, 1609 yds, 15 TD, 8 INT, 169 rush, 758 yds, 8 TD
Patrick Robinson: 179 rush, 1067 yds, 6 TD
Isaiah Langford: 157 rush, 899 yds, 8 TD
A.J. Carter: 55 rec, 755 yds, 6 TD

OC Trent Davis (UKWildcat999) - Season Record: 5-7, 5-4 (sixth season)

Bray Carter: 178-311, 2422 yds, 25 TD, 7 INT, 376 rush yds, 3 TD
Tason Adaloupe: 212 rush, 1106 yds, 9 TD
C.J. Sannon: 100 rush, 440 yds, 3 TD
Joseph Garrett: 48 rush, 784 yds, 5 TD


OC Frankie Francisco (BigPlayJ1220) - Season Record: 4-8 (second season)

Deantwan Lake: 224-347, 2843 yds, 27 TD, 13 INT, 185 rush, 734 yds, 11 TD
Larry Smith: 136 rush, 629 yds, 8 TD
Anerrick Hopper: 76 rec, 840 yds, 9 TD
Zac Kidd: 53 rec, 848 yds, 9 TD

OC Brian Grant (LadiesAndEdelman) - Season Record: 1-11, 0-9 (third season, sixth season)

Cody Barberie: 171-343, 2254 yds, 25 TD, 20 INT, 129 rush, 512 yds, 3 TD
Eddie Ross: 101 rush, 510 yds
Joe Johnson: 63 rec, 1019 yds, 14 TD
Anthony Jacobs: 57 rec, 624 yds, 5 TD

OC Richard Harrison (itsbigmike) - Season Record: 3-9, 2-7 (second season)

Austin Jefferson: 189-368, 2319 yds, 17 TD, 15 INT
Mike Massey: 169 rush, 856 yds, 7 TD
Joel Hardy: 46 rec, 557 yds, 4 TD
LaDante Reynolds: 33 rec, 483 yds, 4 TD

OC Max Crenshaw (whughes) - Season Record: 6-6, 5-4, not invited to bowl game (eighth season)

Michael Fordinal: 124-292, 1700 yds, 13 TD, 4 INT
Dane Johnson: 173 rush, 958 yds, 10 TD
Curtis Gaddis: 95 rush, 540 yds, 2 TD
Will White: 60 rec, 716 yds, 5 TD
Christian Coleman: 43 rec, 620 yds, 7 TD

OC Ryan Malloy (FootballFanatik) - Season Record: 2-10, 2-7 (second season, fourth in CAC pool)

Kory Lamoreaux: 100-191, 1243 yds, 10 TD, 5 INT
Reggie Wilson: 93-210, 1074 yds, 8 TD, 6 INT
Justice Hill-Hawley: 174 rush, 798 yds, 7 TD
Tom Hall: 125 rush, 646 yds, TD
Lee McCutcheon: 68 rec, 846 yds, 10 TD

OC Theron Sorensen (ronnysauce) - Season Record: 5-7, 3-6 (second season)

Abdul Jafar: 130-296, 1804 yds, 18 TD, 10 INT
Kwasmo Momoh: 271 rush, 1466 yds, 9 TD
Sylvester Bolen: 84 rush, 478 yds, 6 TD
Jon Thomas: 61 rec, 877 yds, 7 TD
Kordriz Archer: 32 rec, 534 yds, 6 TD

OC Jerome Baumann (RaiderAid89) - Season Record: 8-5, 5-3, lost NextEra Energy Citrus Bowl (first season, fifth season in CAC pool)

Tra Poland: 229-365, 3493 yds, 36 TD, 10 INT
Da’quintin Beder: 166 rush, 864 yds, 8 TD
Andrew Smith: 128 rush, 806 yds, 5 TD
Matt Boyd: 52 rec, 699 yds, 9 TD
Maleikh Byrd: 49 rec, 830 yds, 9 TD
Da’Vante Lawrence: 41 rec, 684 yds, 5 TD

OC Spanky Westside (Trevor3_2009) - Season Record: 5-7, 2-6 (first season, fifth in CAC pool)

Eddie Concepcion: 164-312, 2329 yds, 20 TD, 11 INT, 369 rush, 4 TD
Liante Sedgewick: 220 rush, 1188 yds, 5 TD
Gerald Goodman: 121 rush, 539 yds, 4 TD
Ahmad Coleman: 56 rec, 845 yds, 5 TD
Jashawn Landis: 54 rec, 716 yds, 9 TD

OC Brett Favre (hudso3) - Season Record: 9-4, 4-3, lost Gander Outdoors Independence Bowl (fourth season)

Gunnar Moran: 155-284, 2296 yds, 21 TD, 4 INT
Bobby Jackson: 198 rush, 983 yds, 7 TD
Khalil Duran: 67 rec, 991 yds, 15 TD
Veshon Haley: 34 rec, 427 yds, 3 TD

OC Laurence Gilbert (Mike7Vinas) - Season Record: 7-6, 5-2, lost GoDaddy Hall of Fame Classic (second season, sixth in CAC pool)

A.J. Dalton: 140-312, 1929 yds, 18 TD, 12 INT, 249 rush, 1185 yds, 8 TD
Dontay Bertrand: 182 rush, 901 yds, 5 TD
Claudell Battle: 51 rec, 654 yds, 5 TD
Ross Burke: 44 rec, 702 yds, 7 TD (true freshman)

[thesportsguru11]

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

NFL Season In Review; Cam and Cowboys snap long title drought with Super Bowl LVIII triumph

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Dallas Cowboys are NFL Champions, taking Super Bowl LVIII in a 28-21 triumph over the Brooklyn Beats (formerly the Buffalo Bills). The Cowboys, led by quarterback Cam Newton, won the NFC East with an 11-5 record but could only settle for the fourth seed in the NFC playoffs. Once in the playoffs, Dallas defeated NFL MVP Michael O’Connor and the Green Bay Packers, then knocked off the second ranked Vikings in Minnesota and Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game.

In the Big Game, Dallas met the upstart Beats, who enjoyed a tremendous run through the AFC Playoffs on the arm of Pro Bowl QB Jerrod Heard. Winning the AFC East at only 8-8, Brooklyn knocked off Cleveland, the London Black Knights and then Cincinnati to reach SBLVIII.

Newton, the fourteen-year veteran, passed for three touchdowns to help the Cowboys, receiving game MVP honors in the process. This is the first Super Bowl victory for Newton.

Elsewhere around the league, defending Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins missed the playoffs at 7-8-1, while the resurgent Atlanta Falcons finished as the league’s best team at 14-2. They were defeated by the Eagles in the Divisional Round. The New Orleans Saints finished as the league’s worst team for the second year in a row, recording a 3-13 record. They have the top draft choice in April’s selection meeting, but it is unknown if they plan to keep the selection.

New England, one year after firing Mike Tomlin as head coach, saw Bill Belichick return to the helm for a year, and then abruptly retire at the end of a poor 5-11 season. Bill’s re-retirement was surprising considering that he was only there for a year, but it makes even more likely the possibility of UConn head coach Steve Belichick, Bill’s son and former Patriots safeties coach, to take the reins in Foxboro. The Patriots are mired in a 20-year Super Bowl drought.

UConn in the NFL

(note: there are other UConn alums still kicking around in this universe before the Diaco era (Sio Moore, Ryan Griffin, Dwayne Gratz, etc.), but we don’t cover them).

Another year, another poor showing for our UConn alumni. Former defensive end Cam Stapleton once again had the best year by far of any former Diaco/Belichick era UConn player in the league, contributing seven sacks in his sixth year in the NFL. The 29-year-old has 42 career sacks and remains a perennial Pro Bowl candidate.

Shav Wade, the best defensive player in the dynasty’s history, is continuing to (albeit very slowly) develop into an NFL starter. After dealing with various injuries as a rookie, Wade finally got some more regular playing time in year two with the London Black Knights, tallying 42 tackles but only one interception (Wade is UConn’s all-time leader in that statistic). Wade has another chance to become a starter for the Knights in 2024. Wade is teammates with former defensive tackle T.J. Newell, who has carved out a solid career as a backup, having now completed his fourth season in the NFL.

Wade’s former teammates Isaac Jackson and Luke Williamson had trying years; Jackson did win a Super Bowl as Cam Newton’s backup, but did not receive any playing time and remains buried on the depth chart. Williamson, meanwhile, got cut by the Denver Broncos midway through the season and remains in free agency. Most teams fear that he has too many “miles” on his knees, stemming back to his heavy usage at UConn. Williamson’s former backfield battery mate J.P. Byers has stuck on the Vikings roster, getting 59 yards in limited action as a rookie.

UConn’s offensive linemen continue to do well, as Josh Parrish (Philadelphia), Ryan Smelley (San Diego) continue to be key backups. Former guard Trey Rutherford, a member of the 2017 national title team, stunningly made the Broncos’ roster after playing overseas, in the XFL and after expectations of being no more than a camp body. Rutherford was a key backup last year, but has a chance to compete for the starting job next year.

Other former UConn NFLers include Rashad Harris, a pre-Speier/Byrom wide receiver who has been a backup for the Raiders for the past three years, Ross Sinclair, a former safety who spent the year on the New York Giants’ IR, longtime Redskins’ backup linebacker Marcus Bradford, Miami's rookie linebacker Mike Hill and the great Sam Rourke, who remains stuck in perpetual free agency (75 ovr).

Former defensive standouts John Cox and Altarri Gardner matriculated to the CFL this year, and former defensive backs Vic Castalanetta and Tony Rush remain active in the XFL.

We’re going to assume that Jamar Summers and Jake Crowder are… out of football? In jail? Selling real estate? Drugs? Dead? I’ll let you fill in the blanks there.


*We'll talk more about the 2024 NFL Draft later.