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)

News Roundup

Willis limited in practice, will play

Middle linebacker and senior leader Thomas Willis will play after being limited in practice this week with a lower back strain. Willis stated that there was no way he would not play in this important of a game and his final collegiate game, meaning that he and his #55 jersey will roam the Coliseum field this evening. Willis was the only addition to the injury report this week.

UConn in National Title Games

UConn is set to face Nebraska for the second year in a row, as I've mentioned a number of times by now. UConn won last year's Sugar Bowl handily thanks to J.P. Byers and crew.

The Huskies are set to make their third appearance in the National Title Game - all within the last five years. UConn of course won it all in 2017, lost last year and by the end of the night will either be above or below .500 in the big enchilada.

Relive the 2017 National Title Win vs. Florida as well as the 2020 National Title Loss vs. Oregon here!

[nofx94]

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

Where's the game being played?

You sure chew through this thing. I wish you were playing USC. Good luck. Crazy how you had consecutive rematches in reverse.

[xboxxerx]

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

All caught up after taking a little break from the forums. Great end of the season so far Guru. That game against GT was A M A Z I N G. Also enjoyed the redemption game against the ducks. Can't wait to see how the Huskers/Huskies game turns out. Good luck man.

[thesportsguru11]

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

Where's the game being played?

You sure chew through this thing. I wish you were playing USC. Good luck. Crazy how you had consecutive rematches in reverse.

Like I said last week, I'm all about maximizing the free time I have to do this, so yeah a lot has happened here the last few weeks! But again, things will slow down to a more reasonable pace real soon as the season is just about over, I'm back to school on Sunday evening and have advanced up to Week 1 of next season already, as I'll likely have to wait six weeks to touch the PS3 again. I'm looking forward to the little break I'll have to endure as I'll come back recharged and ready to go!

We're playing at the Coliseum. Your brilliant author thought it would be a cool place to host the Title Game, not noticing/realizing until after I started the playoff that USC could've had a home game with the National Title on the line. Thankfully it didn't turn out that way. Believe me, though, I wish I was playing USC too. It would have been the perfect, most karma-filled way to end the season and officially wrap up the Isaac Jackson "era" of UConn football, having to face Coach Shea and TDL. If not USC, I'm glad (and oddly stunned) at us playing the same teams as last year, like you mentioned. It's absolutely wild how that turned out.

In my opinion, Nebraska is better than last year. I believe they were two points away from being undefeated, plus a lot of that team from last year's playoff bunch is back; they're talented across the board. Zazzarion is a gamer under center, Stewart is a great all around back and Anthony Johnson is one of the top corners in the country. They have great all-around groups at wideout, on the O-Line and in the secondary, so we're in for a great challenge.

All caught up after taking a little break from the forums. Great end of the season so far Guru. That game against GT was A M A Z I N G. Also enjoyed the redemption game against the ducks. Can't wait to see how the Huskers/Huskies game turns out. Good luck man.

Thank you! I'm just as surprised as you guys are how we've rebounded over the second half of the season, rattling off nine straight wins and all.

The Tech game was one of the best in dynasty history, which says a lot considering over 100 games have been played to this point. Back and forth, defensive struggle, late touchdown drives, came down to the last second. You can't ask for much more in a game at this stage in the season!

I thought we were done for against Oregon going down by three scores early like we did and not playing our best football. Nevertheless, we've always been able to find ways out and luckily it happened again - we caught big breaks with McGill leaving early and Nelly missing most of the game, as we probably would've lost (again) had they stayed in.

Revenge is sweet, but I hope we don't befell the same fate at the hands of Nebraska. As I discussed above, they're a great team all the way around with a lot of experience, they're surely motivated after last year too. Our man under center has been playing the most inspired football of his life the past three games, however, and wants this Natty badly. I too want badly to bring back Title #2 to UConn as it's been about 2 1/2 years real time since that first title .. but we'll see what happens!


Thanks to both of you! Hopefully we'll find out this weekend if Title #2 is coming back to Storrs!

[RoundingThird]

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

Good luck in the Title Game! I found it fascinating that Nebraska hired Scott Frost in the game before they did IRL. That's wicked cool.

[thesportsguru11]

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

(4) 21 --- 13-2

(2) 28 --- 13-2

FROZEN IN TIME

Ice-Jax cements legacy by orchestrating title winning drive, 22 yard pass to freshman Byrom; UConn takes second national title in a 28-21 instant classic vs. Nebraska; Belichick first coach in twenty years to win national title in first year

Raise your hands, class. When UConn was 3-2 in early October, did anyone seriously expect us to be here? Did UConn look anything like a national championship winning team after a season opening thrashing against Penn State and an ugly home loss to Virginia Tech in October? I didn’t think so.

When you have a guy like Isaac Jackson, who saw to it that history and heartbreak would not repeat itself, I suppose anything is possible. It took one last dip into his magic bag of tricks, one last miracle, but Jackson cemented his place in UConn history with his ability to win at all costs. Ice-Jax capped off the best individual passing season in school history with a return to the pinnacle of college football. He made a great career legendary by playing the three best games of his career in the last and most important ones.

It was the Iceman at his greatest.

With a 28-21 decision over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, UConn won their tenth straight game to erase any memory of their early season losses and claim their second national title in football on Monday night. Both titles have come in the last five years (2017, when Bob Diaco’s squad went an undefeated 15-0).

Much as one would expect and hope for in a National Title Game, the CFP Finale in the L.A. Coliseum was a thriller. Neither team gained a lead of more than eight points throughout the contest and the outcome was not decided until the final minute.

UConn drew first blood on a Jackson touchdown run midway through the first quarter. Nebraska responded by adding an extra-point length field goal on the right leg of Brian Tollspen to make the game 7-3 after a quarter, despite losing starting quarterback Isaac Zazzarion to a sprained ankle on that drive. He’d get taped up and return, but would need to sit out for the rest of the half. Fortunately for Scott Frost’s bunch, the Huskers didn’t miss a beat with backup quarterback Elfrid Harper.

Nebraska went up 10-7 early in the second quarter on an eight yard KaJohntay Stewart touchdown run, and looked to extend their lead when Harper took a shot to the end zone toward freshman Kyle Wimstatt. However, Wimstatt was in double coverage and free safety Tony Rush leapt up in the back of the end zone to intercept the pass. Rush, who has been arguably UConn’s worst defensive player all season with missed tackles galore, made up for it on the big stage by keeping the game within one score.

(LEFT) KaJohntay Stewart was great before leaving the game hurt in the fourth quarter with over 100 yards and a score. (RIGHT) Freshman Kyle Wimstatt’s only catch was a big one - the tying touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

UConn was unable to score, but would get the ball again shortly before the half - senior corner J.D. Rudie returned a Dylan Wright punt to the Cornhusker 23 yard line to give the Huskies a great chance to score and retake the lead; that was exactly what would happen. After Jackson completed a pass to Lonte’ Speier down to the one-yard line, Luke Williamson plunged in to give the Huskies a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Dodging danger yet again, UConn’s defense held the Huskers to just three points in the third quarter with Harper still in the game. Brett Lowery came up with his fifth sack in three games on a key third down to push the Huskers out of field goal range on one occasion, while Zazzarion barely escaped a safety with an impressive off-balance pass to Wyatt Osterlund as he slid to the turf. Despite that, the drive still ended with a punt. “Our team defense was fantastic”, commented the senior captain John Cox, who led the Huskies with a dozen tackles and an interception on the evening.

Struggling to score for most of the game, UConn finally struck after Tollspen’s second field goal. With the score tight at 14-13, Jackson connected with Speier on a go route; the freshman was left open in an apparent zone coverage and raced past safety Montrell Burnette for a momentum shifting 62 yard score. 21-13 UConn.

Lonte’ Speier made a number of big catches, including this 62 yard touchdown catch and run.

Into the fourth quarter, the two teams traded three and outs before All-American return man Bennie Baling brought a Kyle January punt out to the UConn 42 yard line; great field position down by eight. With Zazzarion having re-entered the game by this point, he stepped up when his team needed him. An eight yard touchdown pass to Wimstatt closed the gap to 21-19, and he also caught the two-point toss to tie up the game, 21-all with six minutes left.

Despite getting up to around midfield on the ensuing drive, Chamarkelle Byrom dropped a pass on third down that would have moved the chains. Neither team could seem to score in the next few minutes. Nebraska went three and out twice, while Jackson threw an interception in plus territory to Matavian Ryder. With about three and a half minutes to play, the Huskers settled in with the ball at their own 35 yard line.

KaJohntay Stewart was in the medical tent being tended to with a lower back injury, so Nebraska had fullback Ronnie Givens in the backfield. He got the ball on first and second downs for three yards followed by no gain, stopped by John Cox. On third down, Nebraska went triple option, Zazzarion pitching to wideout Brian Larson toward the right side of the field with only one man to beat to reach the first down marker and perhaps push Nebraska to field goal range. Safety Vic Castalanetta had other ideas. The redshirt sophomore was able to drag down Larson as a yard shy of the sticks and forced fourth down, more importantly a Nebraska punt.

UConn needed to travel 67 yards in two minutes and seven seconds to take the lead and possibly win the game and the title. Exit lights - enter sandman. Poor Nebraska. They never stood a chance.

Jackson immediately hit Speier for a gain of 16. Following an incompletion, Jackson lofted a pass to Byrom, who hauled it in for a gain of 30 that pushed UConn to the brink of the red zone. UConn got a momentary scare when Speier dropped a pass that would’ve moved the chains again, and then a first down run from Luke Williamson was negated by a holding call against freshman guard Korey Davis-Love, pushing UConn back to the 31-yard line. No matter for Ice-Jax. Ryne Thomas made a catch over the top for a ten yard pickup, and then Byrom out to the right side, hauling in the pass around the seven yard line. Matched up against All-American corner Anthony Johnson all game, the freak freshman athlete from Minnesota was definitely overmatched for much of the game. It would be Byrom who got the last laugh, though. Lowering his shoulder after the catch, Byrom sent Johnson to the turf as the two were angled to the right sideline. Byrom turned upfield, took a few steps then dove at the pylon to avoid the pursuit of linebacker Terrance Porter.

TOUCHDOWN UCONN!

Anthony Ricciardi’s extra point gave UConn the 28-21 advantage. In just one minute’s time, Ice-Jax advanced UConn 67 yards for the go-ahead score.

Chamarkelle Byrom’s winning touchdown reception.

Nebraska would get the ball back, but on the very first play of their drive Isaac Zazzarion was intercepted by middle linebacker Mike Hill with Osterlund as the intended target.

Williamson, fittingly perhaps, picked up a first down on the next play to put a nice little bow on UConn’s second national title.

Confetti rained down on the L.A. Coliseum field to celebrate UConn, and their hero. Jackson was merely average in this contest - 13-27 passing for 280 yards (two yards shy of 4,000 on the year), two touchdowns and two interceptions as well.

But none of that mattered because Ice-Jax showed up when he was needed most. He carried the team on his shoulder on the big stage with no hesitation. And it ended beautifully.

“I’m really going to miss that kid”, commented Coach Belichick. “He never panicked when things got tough - I’m sure he wasn’t expecting to throw that interception in the fourth but he fought back and we pulled it off.” Belichick himself made history by becoming the first first-year head coach since Miami’s Larry Coker 20 years earlier to win a national title in year one. “That record doesn’t matter to me. All I wanted was the national title for our guys. They all could have abandoned ship or put their heads down when Bob [Diaco] left or when we were 3-2 in October, but they listened to us and worked hard, played within themselves and were great all year. Now here we are!”

Jackson looked up to the sky and nearly choked up when talking to reporters after the game. “I can’t believe it. We did it. Last year really hurt.. It would have hurt more to have it end this way again. I'm the happiest guy in the world right now. I love Coach and I love our guys. We did it together.”

In what will go down as a title game for the ages filled with twists, turns, heroes rising and falling plus a dramatic finish, it was one man who made all the difference. The Iceman cometh, and the Iceman delivereth a championship.

UConn still has a football team, too.

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Connecticut Huskies
Jan 10, 2022	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#4 Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-2)	3	7	3	8	21
#2 Connecticut Huskies (13-2)	7	7	7	7	28

Team Stats Comparison
	NEB	CONN
Total Offense	421	389
Rushing Yards	233	109
Passing Yards	188	280
First Downs	22	15
Punt Return Yards	41	66
Kick Return Yards	0	60
Total Yards	462	515
Turnovers	3	2
3rd Down Conversion	7-17 (41%)	7-15 (46%)
4th Down Conversion	0-0	0-0
2-Point Conversion	1-1	0-0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	4-2-1 (75%)	4-2-0 (50%)
Penalties	0-0	3-32
Possession Time	18:34	17:26

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		NEB	CONN
4:53	(CONN) Jackson 3 run (Ricciardi kick)	0	7
2:01	(NEB) Tollspen 20 FG	3	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		NEB	CONN
8:49	(NEB) Stewart 8 run (Tollspen kick)	10	7
1:10	(CONN) Williamson 1 run (Ricciardi kick)	10	14
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		NEB	CONN
2:41	(NEB) Tollspen 43 FG	13	14
2:01	(CONN) Jackson 62 pass Speier (Ricciardi kick)	13	21
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		NEB	CONN
6:27	(NEB) Zazzarion 8 pass Wimstatt (conversion good)	21	21
:58	(CONN) Jackson 22 pass Byrom (Ricciardi kick)	21	28

Nebraska Cornhuskers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Isaac Zazzarion 13-23 107 1 1 Elfrid Harper 8-10 81 0 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD KaJohntay Stewart 18 118 6.5 1 Isaac Zazzarion 15 103 6.8 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Wyatt Osterlund 5 60 12.0 0 Brian Larson 5 43 8.6 0 Ronnie Givens 4 14 3.5 0 Jonathan Covey 2 21 10.5 0 Kyle Wimstatt 1 8 8.0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Matavian Ryder 12 (1) 0 1 0 Terrance Porter 8 (1) 0 0 0 Montrell Burnette 7 (1) 0 0 0 Stevie Washbrunn 6 (3) 1 0 0 Brad Collins 3 (1) 1 0 0 Claude Fontenot 2 0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Brian Tollspen 2-2 1-1 7 44

Connecticut Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Isaac Jackson 13-27 280 2 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Luke Williamson 28 86 3.3 1 J.P. Byers 7 42 5.9 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Lonte' Speier 4 120 30.0 1 Ryne Thomas 4 61 15.2 0 Chamarkelle Byrom 2 52 26.0 1 Devin Brown 2 44 22.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD John Cox 12 (1) 0 1 0 Mike Hill 11 (1) 0 1 0 James Mandrell 7 (4) 1 0 0 Jevon Sapp 5 (1) 0 0 0 Tony Rush 5 0 1 0 Brett Lowery 4 (3) 2 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Anthony Ricciardi 0-0 4-4 4

NEXT: Season 8 Wrap-Up

“Our team defense was fantastic”, said John Cox (LEFT). He and Tony Rush (RIGHT) recorded critical interceptions that kept points off of the Nebraska scoreboard, while UConn recorded four sacks of Elfrid Harper and Isaac Zazzarion.

Mike Hill records the clinching interception.

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

Good luck in the Title Game! I found it fascinating that Nebraska hired Scott Frost in the game before they did IRL. That's wicked cool.

Minus the stop at UCF, yeah the game predicted this one really well; I agree that was really cool to see. Frost got hired early in this dynasty, so I had forgotten about it until we played them and I noticed. He had been hired for just a few days by that point.

And looking ahead, this offseason we're going to see something else happen in terms of coaching that happened in real-life, too! I wonder how the game knows these things...

[whughes]

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

Ice-Jax strikes again! He may not be the greatest UConn quarterback ever talent wise, but the kid sure was fun to watch play. No doubt a first round draft pick come April. Congrats on natty numero dos Guru

[RoundingThird]

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

Congratulations, buddy, you did it!!!!!! Feel the UConn love!!!! So proud of you

[itsbigmike]

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

What a season! Congrats on the title!

[thesportsguru11]

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

Around the NCAA: 2021 Wrap-Up

Bowl Map

Bowl	Teams/Result	Score
Sports Authority Bowl Denver	Arkansas State (10-4) def. #21 Kentucky (9-4)	42-13
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl	Toledo (8-6) def. Boise State (6-7)	24-16
Dish Network Poinsettia Bowl	BYU (9-4) def. San Diego State (9-4)	35-13
Tropicana St. Petersburg Bowl	Florida Atlantic (8-5) def. New Mexico (8-5)	34-31
CenturyLink New Orleans Bowl	Troy (8-5) def. Texas State (9-4)	45-24
Amazon Las Vegas Bowl	Fresno State (10-4) def. Washington State (6-7)	35-25
Sheraton Aloha Bowl	Southern Miss (10-3) def. Hawai'i (6-7)	30-14
Ford Motor City Bowl	Illinois (7-6) def. Central Michigan (7-6)	38-31
CitiBank Military Bowl	Florida State (7-6) def. Buffalo (7-6)	42-10
Chevron Holiday Bowl	#11 UCLA (10-3) def. #25 Texas (8-5)	49-32
Nassau Paradise Island Bahamas Bowl	#13 Pitt (10-3) def. Middle Tennessee St. (7-6)	45-35
Camping World Independence Bowl	Navy (10-4) def. Clemson (7-6)	42-21
Target Bowl Minneapolis	#20 Ohio State (10-4) def. Army West Point (9-4)	52-7
Phillips 66 Bluebonnet Bowl	Michigan State (8-5) def. Baylor (7-6)	35-30
Cessna Armed Forces Bowl	Air Force (9-4) def. Old Dominion (8-6)	20-17
Intel Silicon Valley Classic	Syracuse (7-6) def. #15 Temple (9-3)	38-24
Valero Alamo Bowl	#23 TCU (9-4) def. Georgia (6-7)	24-20
Buffalo Wild Wings Cactus Bowl	Houston (9-4) def. #17 Penn State (8-5)	43-14
Dollar General Music City Bowl	Notre Dame (7-6) def. Arkansas (7-6)	45-31
Sysco Sun Bowl	#10 Virginia Tech (10-3) def. Arizona State (7-6)	34-20
Garden State Bowl	#19 Michigan (9-4) def. Ball State (7-6)	45-17
Fidelity Financial Bowl	Tulsa (7-6) def. Tennessee (8-5)	28-24
NextEra Energy Citrus Bowl	#16 NC State (10-3) def. Florida (8-6)	40-27
AutoNation Cigar Bowl	#18 Wisconsin (9-4) def. Missouri (7-6)	40-21
AutoZone Liberty Bowl	North Texas (10-4) def. Vanderbilt (6-7)	37-33
Windy City Chicago Bowl	UTEP (8-5) def. USF (6-7)	38-21
Hall of Fame Classic	Louisiana (8-5) def. #24 Miami (OH) (11-3)	15-14
NEW YEAR'S SIX
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl	#14 UCF (11-3) def. #6 North Carolina (10-3)	48-20
Farmers Insurance Rose Bowl	#5 Cal (11-2) def. #12 Minnesota (9-4)	49-17
Microsoft Fiesta Bowl	#9 Ole Miss (10-3) def. #8 Georgia Tech (10-4)	45-7
Allstate Sugar Bowl	#7 Oklahoma (11-3) def. #22 LSU (9-5)	44-21
Capital One Orange Bowl (Playoff Semifinal)	#2 UConn (12-2) def. #3 Oregon (12-2)	49-37
Goodyear Cotton Bowl (Playoff Semifinal)	#4 Nebraska (13-1) def. #1 USC (11-3)	38-35
CFP National Championship (Los Angeles, CA)	#2 UConn (13-2) def. #3 Nebraska (13-2)	28-21

CAC Record in Bowls: 3-8

Wins:
OC J.J. Mac (RedRaider10) - UTEP - Windy City Chicago Bowl
OC Connor Turley (convict38) - UCF - Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
OC Trent Davis (UKWildcat999) - Southern Miss - Sheraton Aloha Bowl

Losses:
HC Kaelyn Willingham (kswgrad2012) - Washington State - Las Vegas Bowl
HC Bob Trebell (DrGravyBoat) - Hawai'i - Sheraton Aloha Bowl
HC Dale Miller (glunsford) - Vanderbilt - AutoZone Liberty Bowl
HC Quinn Shea (thesportsguru11) - USC - Goodyear Cotton Bowl
OC William Brooks (TheOtherPotterGuy) - Texas State - New Orleans Bowl
OC Max Crenshaw (whughes) - Central Michigan - Ford Motor City Bowl
OC Equanimeous St. Brown Sr. (TheRosterMaster) - MTSU - Bahamas Bowl
OC Jerome Baumann (RaiderAid89) - Ball State - Garden State Bowl

2021 College Football National Awards
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Heisman Memorial Trophy	Chris McGill	RB	Oregon
Walter Camp Award	Chris McGill	RB	Oregon
Maxwell Award	Heath Riley	RB	Army West Point
Chuck Bednarik Award	Freddie McPherson	CB	Texas State
Bronko Nagurski Trophy	Altarri Gardner	DE	UConn
Davey O'Brien Award	Felton Lucien	QB	Mississippi State
Doak Walker Award	Chris McGill	RB	Oregon
Fred Biletnikoff Award	Vincent Scott	WR	North Carolina
John Mackey Award	Tyson Dorsey	TE	South Carolina
Outland Trophy	Jarrett Davis	C	Nebraska
Rimington Trophy	Jarrett Davis	C	Nebraska
Lombardi Award	Altarri Gardner	DE	UConn
Linebacker of the Year	LaTroy Johnson	LB	Virginia Tech
Jim Thorpe Award	Freddie McPherson	CB	Texas State
Lou Groza Award	Michael Therman	K	Baylor
Ray Guy Award	Andrew Fairchild	P	Oregon
Returner of the Year	Adam Malone	WR	Western Kentucky

Coach of the Year: Rick Stockstill, North Carolina
Broyles Award: Gary Patterson, DC, Oregon

2021 NCAA 1st Team All-Americans
Pos	Player Name	Ht	Wt	Year
QB	Tanner Dean-Lowry, USC			Sr.
RB	Chris McGill, Oregon			Sr.
RB	Heath Riley, Army West Point			Sr.
WR	Vincent Scott, North Carolina			Jr.
WR	Patrick Rontemego, UCLA			Sr.
TE	David Reese, Louisiana			Sr.
OT	E.J. Farris, Air Force			Sr.
OT	Andre Anderson, Ohio State			Sr.
G	Anthony Holtby, LSU			Sr.
G	Andrew McClelland, Ole Miss			Sr.
C	Jarrett Davis, Nebraska			Sr.
DE	Altarri Gardner, UConn			Sr.
DE	Duran Charoman, Arkansas State			Sr.
DT	Richard Coker, Arkansas State			Jr.
DT	Patrick Britt, Ohio State			Jr.
LB	CeeCee Jennings, Georgia Tech			Sr.
LB	Napoleon Goolsby, Oregon			Sr.
LB	Steven Hood, LSU			Jr.
CB	Freddie McPherson, Texas State			Sr.
CB	Shavlion Wade, UConn			Jr.
S	Shen Oliver, USC			Sr.
S	Amiq Shannon, Virginia Tech			Jr.
K	Michael Therman, Baylor			Sr.
P	Andrew Fairchild, Oregon			Sr.
RS	Bennie Baling, Nebraska			So.

2021 1st Team All-ACC
Pos	Player Name	Ht	Wt	Year
QB	Austin Douglas, NC State			Sr.
RB	Nate Marshall, NC State			Sr.
RB	Luke Williamson, UConn			Jr.
WR	Vincent Scott, North Carolina			Jr.
WR	Jerald Jenkins, Virginia Tech			Sr.
TE	R.J. Doyle, NC State			Sr.
OT	Alex Love, Pitt			Sr.
OT	Brad Bowers, North Carolina			Jr.
G	Vince Jones, UConn			Sr.
G	Kyle Washington, North Carolina			Jr.
C	Anton Garrison, North Carolina			Sr.
DE	Altarri Gardner, UConn			Sr.
DE	James Mandrell, UConn			Jr.
DT	Richard Gooden, Georgia Tech			Sr.
DT	Tramaine Robinson, North Carolina			Jr.
LB	CeeCee Jennings, Georgia Tech			Sr.
LB	LaTroy Johnson, Virginia Tech			Jr.
LB	Thomas Willis, UConn			Sr.
CB	Kavonte Bullock, NC State			Jr.
CB	Shavlion Wade, UConn			Jr.
S	Davondre Wooten, Virginia Tech			Jr.
S	Amiq Shannon, Virginia Tech			Jr.
K	Anthony Ricciardi, UConn			Fr.
P	Craig Pierce, Georgia Tech			Fr.
RS	Sonny Thompson, Virginia Tech			Sr.

Others:

2nd Team All-American: Anthony Ricciardi, K
Freshman All-American: WR Lonte’ Speier, OG Korey Davis-Love, LB Jevon Sapp, K Anthony Ricciardi
2nd Team All-ACC: WR Lonte’ Speier, TE Ryne Thomas, LT Kevin Jones, LB Mike Hill, LB John Cox, CB Sam Barnett, SS Vic Castalanetta

National Leaders:

QBR
191.2, Tanner Dean-Lowry, USC
182.7, Nelly DeWeaver, Oregon
181.7, Felton Lucien, Mississippi State
181.4, Austin Douglas, NC State
181.3, J.J. Cooley, UCLA

Pass Completions
287, Brannon Piello, San Diego State
280, Justyce Tryson, Oklahoma
268, Isaac Jackson, UConn
255, Jamar Goddard, UAB
249, Tanner Dean-Lowry, USC

Pass Attempts
475, Jamar Goddard, UAB
459, Justyce Tryson, Oklahoma
454, Parker Bourrie, Michigan State
454, Brannon Piello, San Diego State
441, Jay Fuqua, Virginia Tech

Pass Yards
3998, Isaac Jackson, UConn
3970, Justyce Trsyon, Oklahoma
3667, Brannon Piello, San Diego State
3521, Tanner Dean-Lowry, USC
3430, Austin Douglas, NC State

Passing Touchdowns
39, Darius Britt, Tennessee
39, Will Mock, Texas State
38, J.J. Cooley, UCLA
36, Justyce Tryson, Oklahoma
36, Jonathan Silas, Penn State

Rush Attempts
407, Luke Williamson, UConn
366, Drew Britt, Miami-OH
359, Jonathan Hart, Buffalo
337, Winfield Nash, Air Force
304, Eddie West, Boise State

Rush Yards
2463, Drew Britt, Miami-OH
2237, Winfield Nash, Air Force
2161, Ryan Herring, Ohio State
2133, Heath Riley, Army West Point
2084, Jonathan Hart, Buffalo

Rush Touchdowns
26, Heath Riley, Army West Point
25, Winfield Nash, Air Force
25, Matthew Shelby, New Mexico
24, Chris McGill, Oregon
22, Luke Williamson, UConn

Receptions
104, Leroy Bell, San Diego State
102, Clint Sinai, Wake Forest
98, Michael Skinner, USC
95, Myron Ryan, Utah
91, Jeff Dotson, Fresno State

Receiving Yards
1550, Michael Skinner, USC
1428, Myron Ryan, Utah
1369, Vince Bush, Texas State
1335, Nick Bass, Mississippi State
1302, Lonte’ Speier, UConn

Receiving Touchdowns
19, Patrick Rontemego, UCLA
16, Anthony Gardner, Akron
15, Vincent Scott, North Carolina
14, Ryan Green, Cal
14, Inoke Meliloka, Texas State

Tackles
112, LaTroy Johnson, Virginia Tech
110, Clayton Johnson, Ohio State
106, Duran Charoman, Arkansas State
105, Napoleon Goolsby, Oregon
103, Alex Wahlgren, Clemson

Tackles for Loss
35, Duran Charoman, Arkansas State
29, Patrick Reid, Western Kentucky
28, Jonathan Sims, Virginia Tech
28, LaTroy Johnson, Virginia Tech
27, Michael Coley, Wyoming

Sacks
ETA: I don't have a top five for sacks, but Altarri Gardner (UCONN) led the nation with 18.

Interceptions
11, Freddie McPherson, Texas State
9, Shavlion Wade, UConn
8, Santonio Bennett, West Virginia
7, Ryan Robinson, North Texas
7, Kavonte Bullock, NC State

Punting Average
45.3, Landon Burke, Oklahoma
45.0, Cedric Johnson, Washington
44.9, Ellis Smitaman, Alabama
44.8, Peter Mirvil, New Mexico
44.8, Jason Anderson, Texas State

Next: CAC Season Recap/CAC Coach of the Year Award (and no it's not going to Coach Shea)

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

Ice-Jax strikes again! He may not be the greatest UConn quarterback ever talent wise, but the kid sure was fun to watch play. No doubt a first round draft pick come April. Congrats on natty numero dos Guru

Congratulations, buddy, you did it!!!!!! Feel the UConn love!!!! So proud of you

What a season! Congrats on the title!

Thanks to all of you! I certainly feel like I deserved this one a little less than Natty #1 because of our two losses, but we got hot at the right time and rattled off ten straight to do it.

While Williamson and J.P. Byers led us to the Playoff with their incredible performances in the second half of the season, Ice-Jax won us this national title. The backs struggled mightily in the ACC Title Game and both playoff games; without Ice-Jax bailing us out, we would not have gotten to the playoff, much less won it.

I'm not sure about a first round pick for him because there is a ridiculously deep quarterback class this spring with about fifteen guys who could be first round picks, but we'll certainly follow his progress. I've got an update coming soon regarding how some of our already drafted guys have done and how Diaco's first season in London went.

Nevertheless, along with the other redshirt seniors in particular, I'm extremely sad to see Ice-Jax go. I remember recruiting him a long time ago, and to see how he went from second string in his own recruiting class to national title winning beast has been extremely rewarding and fun. He was able to top some of Orlovsky's records that I wasn't sure would ever be broken, at least in this dynasty, so I think he has a case to be the best or second best quarterback in school history. The kid who is going replace him, Jordan Brown, might turn out better than he did skills wise but no one will ever match the drive to win and the clutch performances, that's for sure.

[Hellisan]

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

Joining the chorus of congratulations on the national title. They played great run defense, forcing you to the air a bit, and you made just enough big plays. Love the story lines you put together here, and interesting to see what will happen with Hoodie Jr. (do they have a hoodie in this game, I think so!).

[young22]

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

Man I've got a lot to catch up on. Congrats on the title bro, I'm looking forward to catching up on what I've missed. Haven't played in a few months, but checking back in here is lowkey giving me that urge again...

Sent from my SM-G386W using Tapatalk

[thesportsguru11]

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

An omission because your author is a meathead

Um, so yeah. I forgot the Final AP Top 25. That we topped. Anyways, here it is. 3 CAC teams crack the best of the best for 2021. I'll edit it into the End of Year stuff where it should have been as well.

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

The First Ever CAC Coach of the Year

J.J. Mac (RedRaider10) Offensive Coordinator, UTEP (8-5)

Mac gets the nod for orchestrating a tremendous turnaround after his job looked to be dead in the water after three hapless seasons in El Paso. Mac and his Miners put up 38 points (led by QB Rodney Crowder's four touchdown tosses) en route to a bowl win to cap off the fantastic season, one of only three wins for CAC alums in bowl games this season.

UTEP's offensive numbers were not great, but the Miners did enough to win week in and week out and showed that they are in great position to continue to build upon their momentum with starting tailbacks, wideouts and tight ends returning and with new starting quarterback Fausto Garcia possessing lots of real game experience.

Congratulations Coach Mac on the prestigious (sort of) honor!

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

CAC Year in Review, 2021

Record: 6-7, lost Sheraton Aloha Bowl to Southern Miss

Season Synopsis: Similar results as last year - gauntlet out of conference slate followed up by white-hot conference win streak. Trebell turns page on quarterback Jason Kililoloka and tailback C.J. Jones-Grice, but gets back star wideout Terrence McDaniel to help break in fiery junior QB Madison Terrell. Since winning in the islands is a big deal, Trebell could be up for bigger jobs as well.. Auburn anyone?

Key Players: QB Jason Kililoloka 162-325, 1876 yds, 20 TD, 13 INT, 150 rush, 473 yds, 4 TD
RB C.J. Jones-Grice: 186 rush, 1220 yds, 15 TD
RB Fili Lo’aka: 131 rush, 828 yds, 6 TD
WR Terrence McDaniel: 85 rec, 1102 yds, 14 TD
LB Ryan Kidd - 76 tckl (17 TFL), 5 sacks
DE Michael Green - 60 tckl (20 TFL), 5.5 sacks
CB Tyler Moore - 34 tckl, 4 INT




Record: 6-7, lost AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. North Texas

Season Synopsis: Expected step back after miracle Cotton Bowl run and new coach Miller. Heavy run game with Brayton and Breedlove and defensive star Kentez Barnett worked out well enough to finish with six wins, but sour taste left after litany of late-season losses and bowl loss to North Texas.

Key Players: QB John Larsen - 96-199, 1222 yds, 13 TD, 8 INT, 161 rush, 706 yds, 9 TD
RB Jeff Brayton - 282 rush, 1782 yds, 13 TD
RB Boyce Breedlove - 170 rush, 1224 yds, 8 TD
WR Bentray Thompson - 33 rec, 412 yds, 4 TD
DE Kentez Barnett - 76 tckl (24 TFL), 9.5 sacks
CB Marcus Jacobs - 31 tckl (.5 sacks), 4 INT




Record: #6 AP, 11-3, Won Pac-12, lost Cotton Bowl vs. Nebraska (CFP Semi)

Season Synopsis: Tanner Dean-Lowry!?!? Beating Oregon to win the Pac-12!?!?!? Shea’s talented squad once again done in by Big Ten CFP nightmare; stuck at one national title.

Key Player: QB Tanner Dean-Lowry - 249-336, 3521 yds, 32 TD, 4 INT, 149 rush, 609 yds, 8 TD
RB Baron Baggarly - 211 rush, 1115 yds, 14 TD
RB Justin Lewis - 126 rush, 834 yds, 6 TD
WR Michael Skinner - 98 rec, 1550 yds, 10 TD
TE Pierre Russell - 61 rec, 884 yds, 7 TD
LB Greg Long - 82 tckl (10 TFL), 1.5 sacks
DE Travarrius McPope - 70 tckl (13 TFL), 6 sacks
FS Shen Oliver - 51 tckl (6 TFL), 2 sacks




Record: 6-7, lost Las Vegas Bowl vs. Fresno State

Season Synopsis: Flexing muscles on the ground when most in the Pac-12 want to air it out with pair of 1,000 yard runners; late season rally, Apple Cup OT topper keeps Willingham in good graces in Pullman with second straight bowl berth. Patrick Tuivalea is back next year, by the way.

Key Players : QB Derrick Davane - 132-238, 1578 yds, 12 TD, 6 INT
RB Patrick Tuivalea - 289 rush, 1658 yds, 19 TD
RB Blake Horne - 259 rush, 1403 yds, 13 TD
TE Blake Larson - 39 rec, 547 yds, 3 TD
LB Seth Timmons - 81 tckl (11 TFL), 1.5 sacks
LB Vernon Faison - 80 tckl (18 TFL), 5.5 sacks




Record: 5-7, no bowl invite, yada yada it’s his second year give my man a mulligan.

Season Synopsis: Another late season collapse, poor recruiting could spell trouble for Freday-gas headed into year 3. Cavorris Rose is too inconsistent to be the answer at QB - and the answer on offense is what this team needs.

Key Player - QB Cavorris Rose - 191-398, 2534 yds, 18 TD, 13 INT, 168 rush, 652 yds, 5 TD
RB Tay Holloway - 201 rush, 1053 yds, 7 TD
WR Joel Phillips - 70 rec, 956 yds, 5 TD
LB Marcus Sims - 77 tckl (16 TFL), 4.5 sacks
LB Adam Brothers - 61 tckl (20 TFL), 3.5 sacks
DE Connor Jackson - 50 tckl (19 TFL), 6.5 sacks




Record: 7-6, lost to Michigan in Garden State Bowl

Season Synopsis: JUCO QB Vince Roberson helped ease loss of Jason Lucas and spur three win improvement; with him and star tailbacks Brian Johnson and Albert Wagner returning for senior seasons, watch out for Ball and third year head coach Vince Kehres next fall.

Key Players: QB Vince Roberson - 163-333, 2401 yds, 20 TD, 8 INT
RB Brian Johnson - 275 rush, 1629 yds, 22 TD
RB Albert Wagner - 141 rush, 878 yds, 7 TD
WR David McMahan - 44 rec, 686 yds, 3 TD
TE Landon Hopkins - 44 rec, 672 yds, 8 TD




Record: 1-11, no bowl

Season Synopsis: Youth (true freshman QB Abdul Jafar, redshirt freshmen RBs Sylvester Bolen and Kwasmo Momoh), injuries (Senior QB Calvin Pomaray) and lack of talent at skill positions made for a rough year, just two years removed from a MAC East Title.

Key Players: QB Abdul Jafar - 94-212, 1106 yds, 8 TD, 9 INT
QB Calvin Pomaray - 57-101, 733 yds, 8 TD, 3 INT
RB Nathan Richards - 171 rush, 894 yds, 2 TD
RB Sylvester Bolen - 148 rush, 681 yds, 4 TD
WR Jeff Rankin - 43 rec, 566 yds, 4 TD




Record: 5-7, no bowl

Season Synopsis: Though star tailback Chris Madison was fantastic, erratic play from senior QB Mark Whitehead doomed the ‘Cats to a 5-7 finish. Cincy could have a tough year ahead as Madison and Whitehead graduate, will need to break in lots of new and young faces next fall.

Key Players: QB Mark Whitehead - 128-249, 1640 yds, 18 TD,12 INT
RB Chris Madison - 280 rush, 1865 yds, 16 TD
RB Neal McCarthy - 122 rush, 627 yds, 5 TD
WR Tony Berg - 40 rec, 505 yds, 8 TD




Record: 7-6, lost Ford Motor City Bowl to Illinois

Season Synopsis: Paul O’Toole and Jeff Rooney, oh my! Best chance to win MAC Title thwarted by heartbreak, another CAC MAC collapse, but I’m sure Crenshaw will take another bowl. Can he get promoted, please?

Key Players: QB Paul O’Toole - 226-413, 3235 yds, 33 TD, 18 INT, 196 rush, 782 yds, 5 TD
RB Jeff Rooney - 174 rush, 1210 yds, 10 TD
RB Dane Johnson - 78 rush, 425 yds, 5 TD
WR Justin Schroeder - 45 rec, 643 yds, 10 TD - four other wideouts with over 30 catches




Record: 2-9. Youch. How exactly did they get only 11 games?

Season Synopsis: High hopes derailed early despite record setting year from senior QB Eldrick Robinson. Good recruiting will hopefully keep the Terps relevant in the Big 10.

Key Players: QB Eldrick Robinson - 187-333, 2780 yds, 30 TD, 13 INT
RB Rory Miller - 75 rush, 522 yds, 5 TD
WR Jeff Rodgers - 55 rec, 954 yds, 12 TD




Record: 6-6, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: King’s run first approach helped Napoleon Mason develop into a multiple time 1,000 yard rusher, but still couldn’t crack bowl game despite reaching six wins. New players all over the skill positions set to step up next fall.

Key Players: QB Thad Wall 95-201, 1164 yds, 15 TD, 9 INT, 150 rush, 736 yds, 2 TD
RB Napoleon Mason - 208 rush, 1376 yds, 11 TD
RB Michael Kane - 139 rush, 776 yds, 9 TD
WR Matthew Davis - 34 rec, 336 yds, 7 TD




Record: 7-6, lost Bahamas Bowl to Pitt.

Season Synopsis: NFL QB prospect Warren Johnson caps off record breaking career with bowl trip to Bahamas; another solid year in Murfeesboro helps ease sting of no bowl game a year ago. Watch out for tailback Terrence Falardy next fall as the Blue Raiders may move to a greater run game emphasis.

Key Players: QB Warren Johnson - 245-411, 3122 yds, 32 TD, 9 INT
RB Derek Hurst - 166 rush, 989 yds, 14 TD
WR Ray Jordan - 72 rec, 1070 yds, 11 TD
WR Stephen Tyson - 69 rec, 800 yds, 5 TD



Record: 5-7, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Flashes showed, um, flashes with dynamic quarterback Shevon Young, a 1,000 yard rusher in addition to a 2,500 yard passer. He’ll be back and expect Kent to make a bowl push next fall. Here’s hoping Kent has something behind him when he graduates next year.

Key Players: QB Shevon Young - 203-391, 2769 yds, 21 TD, 15 INT, 188 rush, 1141 yds, 9 TD
RB T.J. Wallace - 113 rush, 736 yds, 10 TD
WR Jermaine Brown - 72 rec, 995 yds, 12 TD
TE Joel Simmons - 64 rec, 1010 yds, 7 TD




Record: 5-7, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Loss to UMass prevented a possible Cards bowl berth, but Cards played everyone tough, including national champion UConn on their senior day. Youth movement abounds next year; look out for freshman QB Justice Duvont and sophomore wideout Yannick Pither.

Key Players: QB LeCarl Brandis - 207-380, 2667 yds, 22 TD, 9 INT
RB Derek Jones - 158 rush, 836 yds, 9 TD
WR Leon Jones - 62 rec, 778 yds, 6 TD
WR Dustin Harris - 52 rec, 722 yds, 10 TD




Record: 4-8, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Dorothy, we aren’t in 2019 anymore. While Smith’s defense is talented, with exciting youngsters such as Kain Summers and Trey Edmunds, it has large holes and the Boilers struggled to stop anyone once again. Look for a bounce back year next year as many starters return.

Key Players: LB Trey Edmunds - 88 tckl (9 TFL), 3.5 sacks, 2 FF, FR (TRUE FRESHMAN!)
LB Chris Williams - 72 tckl (20 TFL), 8.5 sacks
LB Chris Lee - 67 tackles (12 TFL), 3.5 sacks
DE Kain Summers - 57 tckls (16 TFL), 3.5 sacks




Record: 5-7, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Late season slide of last year carried over. Erratic quarterback play from Stevie Parker, Adam Locker nullifies solid years from Wheelock, Ardois and wideouts. Improved quarterback play will be critical going to 2022.

Key Player: QB Stevie Parker - 158-296, 2230 yds, 21 TD, 6 INT, 125 rush, 601 yds, 6 TD
RB Jared Wheelock - 226 rush, 1296 yds, 10 TD
RB Torrance Ardois - 120 rush, 615 yds, 7 TD
WR David Anderson - 55 rec, 798 yds, 6 TD
TE Ramon Griffith - 52 rec, 916 yds, 10 TD




Record: #22 AP, 10-3, beat Hawai’i in Sheraton Aloha Bowl.

Season Synopsis: Another startling turnaround with CAC bowl win to reach 10-win threshold; dynamic tailbacks in Harper and James; almost everyone returns next fall. Like Turley, another possibly hot young name to watch. Look out world!

Key Players: QB Reggie Harris - 163-309 yds, 2055 yds, 26 TD, 6 INT
RB Antwan James - 244 rush, 1284 yds, 14 TD
RB Mike Harper - 206 rush, 1216 yds, 8 TD
WR Anthony Marshall - 56 rec, 828 yds, 7 TD




Record: 1-11. No Bowl.

Season Synopsis: Ouch.

Key Players: QB Sam Parsiany - 197-389, 2341 yds, 23 TD, 14 INT
RB Trestman Sims - 125 rush, 598 yds, 5 TD
WR Lorenzo Bailey - 69 rec, 806 yds, 9 TD
WR Phillip Lewis - 51 rec, 787 yds, 5 TD




Record: 5-7, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Thisclose to an improbable bowl berth two years after going winless; beat harder opponents (upset Virginia Tech on the road in Week 2), couldn’t close deal in Sun Belt play often enough. Westside proves mettle as coach as Marshall grad transfer Jamar Goddard becomes one of the top statistical QB’s in the nation.

Key Players: QB Jamar Goddard - 255-475, 3148 yds, 29 TD, 9 INT
RB Randall Wilcox - 155 rush, 783 yds, 7 TD
WR Marcus Craft - 84 rec, 966 yds, 5 TD
WR Dennis Godfrey - 65 rec, 798 yds, 10 TD
TE Ira Fitch - 62 rec, 834 yds, 9 TD




Record: #11 AP, 11-2, won American Title, Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl vs. North Carolina

Season Synopsis: Juggernaut offense led by stud QB Aaron Houston, deep tailback and wideout groups helped Knights to New Year’s Day Peach Bowl blowout against national darling North Carolina; Turley a hot young name to watch in coaching circles.

Key Players: QB Aaron Houston - 224-360, 3143 yds, 34 TD, 7 INT, 197 rush, 1038 yds, 7 TD
RB Mike Johnson - 150 rush, 1028 yds, 11 TD
RB Willie Alexander - 132 rush, 784 yds, 11 TD
WR Marcus Rodriguez - 87 rec, 1290 yds, 7 TD
WR Scotty Thomas - 43 rec, 660 yds, 11 TD




Record: 8-5, won Chicago Bowl vs. USF

Season Synopsis: Coach of the Year Mac helped himself off the hot seat with tremendous turnaround in Year 4 at El Paso; Isaiah Langford, Matt McClellan sparked run game while Rodney Crowder chipped in masterful four touchdown performance in bowl win. One more year like that and we could see Mac as a head coach real soon.

Key Players: QB Rodney Crowder - 122-227, 1415 yds, 12 TD, 6 INT
RB Isaiah Langford - 205 rush, 1227 yds, 12 TD
FB Matt McClellan - 125 rush, 652 yds, 6 TD
TE Avery Scott - 83 rec, 908 yds, 11 TD




Record: 6-6, no bowl invite.

Season Synopsis: Oopsilanti no more! Eagles notch six wins behind dynamic Michigan transfer quarterback Jay’Shawn Bryant and good ground game with Chad Dukes and Danny Byland; will look to step up with Bryant and several other key skill guys returning next year.

Key Players: QB Jay’Shawn Bryant - 100-206, 1686 yds, 12 TD, 4 INT, 130 rush, 605 yds, 3 TD
RB Chad Dukes - 180 rush, 1103 yds, 13 TD
RB Danny Byland - 124 rush, 562 yds, 6 TD
WR Derrick Daniels - 45 rec, 686 yds, 5 TD




Record: 4-8, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Learning curve was there with freshman Gunnar Moran under center, but he’s learning from one of the best; late season wins and inspired running from Randy Brady should bring positive momentum for Jags headed into 2022.

Key Players: QB Gunnar Moran - 181-380, 2494 yds, 20 TD, 13 INT
RB Randy Brady - 124 rush, 600 yds, 5 TD
RB Stephen Bonner - 112 rush, 590 yds, 9 TD
WR Javon Stephens - 65 rec, 841 yds, 4 TD




Record: 9-4, lost CenturyLink New Orleans Bowl vs. Troy

Season Synopsis: Offensive juggernaut propelled Bobcats to 8-0, national ranking before stumbling late in conference play. New quarterback will be needed next year, but other important pieces return and recruiting has been stellar and produced young stars such as Dotson and Meliloka; Coach Dennis Franchione is pushing 70…

Key Players: QB Will Mock - 212-358, 3140 yds, 40 TD, 5 INT
RB Will Dotson - 227 rush, 1586 yds, 13 TD
WR Vince Bush - 79 rec, 1249 yds, 11 TD
WR Inoke Meliloka - 51 rec, 777 yds, 14 TD




Record: 5-7, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Top prospect Graham Saulsberry took starting quarterback job early; Cyclones didn’t always have the numbers around him to win, so his development will be critical to Cyclones’ success moving forward.

Key Players: QB Graham Saulberry - 120-242, 1447 yds, 9 TD, 8 INT, 156 rush, 589 yds, 4 TD
RB D.J. Jones - 199 rush, 1102 yds, 9 TD
RB Courtney Townsend - 125 rush, 592 yds, 6 TD
WR Corey Chavalaway - 49 rec, 631 yds, 6 TD
WR Jordy Morris - 43 rec, 506 yds, 4 TD




Record: 3-9, no bowl.

Season Synopsis: Tough season overall, but did pull off big wins against rivals, notably Central Michigan, which helped keep them out of the driver’s seat in the MAC West. QB Cass Thibodeaux and RB Robbie Dougherty graduate, so WMU still has a lot of work to do to get back to midpack and bowl contention.

Key Players: QB Cass Thibodeaux - 190-356, 2669 yds, 15 TD, 8 INT
RB Robbie Dougherty - 206 rush, 1214 yds, 10 TD
WR Fallah Pearson - 60 rec, 1057 yds, 7 TD

Joining the chorus of congratulations on the national title. They played great run defense, forcing you to the air a bit, and you made just enough big plays. Love the story lines you put together here, and interesting to see what will happen with Hoodie Jr. (do they have a hoodie in this game, I think so!).

Many thanks Helli! The last three games have followed that script, to be honest, which really test the mettle of a team like us who became so reliant on the ground game in the second half of the season. I'm pretty sure Williamson and Byers combined for at least 1,500 yards in the last six regular season games, so to be shut down as they were in the playoff can certainly be a little unnerving.

In those situations, though, it does wonders to have a guy like Ice-Jax. A senior leader who has pulled through on the big stage time and again. As I mentioned a couple days ago in response to other comments, he won the national title for us. We would've crashed and burned without him and I'm going to miss him immensely.

The storylines have been practically writing themselves for years from CAC matchups to former coaching staff members squaring off to the playoff rematches, Ice-Jax saving the day and everything in between. I don't know how these happen, but it's so much fun and, more importantly, they feel natural to write. I greatly enjoy giving this project more depth beyond me just playing games and that of course is one of the reasons why we're continuing on to season nine very soon.

Hopefully Hoodie Jr. stays away from the phone and possible NFL coaching jobs that will inevitably come his way. It wouldn't be my dynasty without questioning the future of our head coaches, but I think we'll have Stephen for a nice while; truthfully I think he'll be better than Diaco in the end, and is well on his way to doing so. His recruiting has been phenomenal, the offense he put together was better than anything Diaco ever did by posting an-almost 4,000 yard passer, a 1900 and 950 yard runner plus two 1,000 yard freshman receivers... add in the good defense - clearly the kid knows what he's doing. EDIT: Sadly, I do not believe there is a hoodie option in this here video game.

Bobby V looks pretty good for that hire after all... who knew.

Man I've got a lot to catch up on. Congrats on the title bro, I'm looking forward to catching up on what I've missed. Haven't played in a few months, but checking back in here is lowkey giving me that urge again...

I'm moving faster than I expected with the offseason posts but I don't expect to start next season for at least six weeks. So take your time young! I'm happy to see you back here! This past season was a pretty good one, as you undoubtedly see (thanks for the congrats by the way ), but it certainly didn't have the potential to fall that way - I certainly was not expecting a title this fall.

I absolutely know how you feel with the urges to play - I have to play in small little intervals now myself. Here's hoping basketball season is going well for you! I visited my coach and went to some of my HS' games when I was up a couple weeks ago... felt sadder than ever about not playing (except for those wind sprints, which I will gladly live without )

[whughes]

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

Huge thanks again for taking the time to include us in your own little slice of college football with the CAC’s. I really thought I could ride O’Toole and Rooney to a MAC title, and hopefully to a P5 job. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe next year

[thesportsguru11]

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

Shav, Williamson Declare for NFL Draft

As expected, perhaps the two greatest players in UConn football history are leaving the nest.

Following UConn’s National Title parade, record-setting cornerback Shavlion Wade (93 overall) and tailback Luke Williamson (92 overall) announced their intentions to turn pro and forgo their final year of eligibility. Wade, a true junior, is expected to be a late first-round pick in this year’s draft, while Williamson, a redshirt junior, is likely a mid-round prospect. Wade and Williamson have put together two of the most prolific careers in program history and have defined the face of the program for the last three seasons - the two hold eight career and season records with the Huskies (of the records that I track anyway - Williamson has seven, Wade the eighth).

Wade, from Union, New Jersey, was a lightly regarded three-star prospect in the Class of 2019 who assumed a starting role early in his freshman season and never looked back. Wade tallied four interceptions in his freshman year, then followed up with ten as a sophomore, including his “I’m here” moment with a 98-yard pick six to spur a rout of a fifth-ranked Michigan team on the road. Wade won both the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back, and the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player. Shav added nine interceptions this fall, giving him 23 in his career and topping the career interception mark set by Jamar Summers in 2017.

Despite often lackluster numbers as a unit, the two-time All-American held together a sometimes shaky UConn secondary while eliminating top receivers from opposing teams’ gameplans each week with his shutdown abilities.

Unlike Wade, Williamson was a more exciting prospect, a four-star guy recruited during the National Title run of 2017. From Nautilus Park, Connecticut, about an hour away from Storrs, Williamson became the starting tailback as a redshirt freshman when starter Jeff McNeal left the season opener injured with a broken elbow. Williamson never relinquished his hold on the starting job. Though he fell just short of a 1,000 yard campaign in 2019, Williamson made up for it big in seasons to come.

As a third-year sophomore, he exploded with a 1900 yard season and a runner-up Heisman finish. However, Williamson got hurt in the Sugar Bowl and ended up missing that year’s National Title Game against Oregon with a lower-back injury, a game that UConn lost. Determined not to end his career on that note, Williamson returned for his third season as a starter. Despite a slow start, Williamson ran for at least 100 yards in each of the Huskies’ last six regular season games, including a career high 243 against Syracuse, the same day he broke UConn’s career rushing yardage record. As mentioned earlier, Williamson leaves holding seven major career and season rushing records, something the hometown kid takes great pride in. Williamson is set to graduate in May. Williamson leaves with over 1,000 career carries for 4,800 yards and 62 rushing touchdowns, plus four more receiving scores for 66 total touchdowns.

“Of course we’re sad to see them leave us”, commented Coach Stephen Belichick. “Two of the best, if not the best, players in school history, and they’re going to leave huge shoes to fill. But this is the nature of the sport. Luckily for us, we’ve got veteran guys ready to step up and fill those positions.”

Belichick does have a point as the Huskies have great depth and experience at the cornerback and running back positions. Wade is expected to be replaced by fifth year senior Kent Newton, who has starting experience, and exciting young Tory Greening. Williamson will be replaced by rising fourth-year junior J.P. Byers, who almost ran for 1,000 yards himself this season, and incoming freshman Ashanti Swift from New Jersey.

“I love these two guys with all of my heart. They’re real leaders and great men. I and the rest of the staff wish those two nothing but the best in the NFL and beyond”.

Williamson stated that “the UConn family knows how much we love them and nothing I can say now will add or subtract to that notion. I wouldn’t have returned to school last year if I felt otherwise. We’re truly blessed, and that’s all we can say.”

Other Notable Early Declarees:

QB William Jennings - 94 ovr. - rJR - Arkansas
RB Cetran Copeland - 94 ovr. - rJR - Florida
RB Jayson Piercy - 92 ovr. - JR - Texas
WR Eli Harris - 91 ovr. - rJR - North Texas
WR Renell McCoy - 90 ovr. - rJR - Penn State
TE Jamar Francis - 91 ovr. - rJR - Florida State
TE Eric Lane - 90 ovr. - rJR - Nebraska
TE Chase Norwood - 88 ovr. - JR - Notre Dame
TE Aaron Hunter - 88 ovr. - rJR - Michigan State
RT Kyle Washington - 88 ovr. - rJR - North Carolina
DE Max Anthony - 88 ovr. - rJR - North Carolina
DT M.J. Carter - 89 ovr. - JR - Virginia Tech
CB Kavonte Bullock - 89 ovr. - JR - NC State
CB Brilionte Carland - 89 ovr. - JR - USC
FS Kyle Cotton - 91 ovr. - JR - Houston
SS Cedric Moore - 90 ovr. - JR - USC

Notables Staying in School

QB Devon McCullough - 95 ovr. - rJR - Ole Miss
QB Justyce Tryson - 94 ovr. - rJR - Oklahoma
QB Aaron Houston - 89 ovr. - rJR - UCF
WR Vincent Scott - 92 ovr. - rJR - North Carolina

Huge thanks again for taking the time to include us in your own little slice of college football with the CAC’s. I really thought I could ride O’Toole and Rooney to a MAC title, and hopefully to a P5 job. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe next year

It's my pleasure - I love following along with other schools and documenting their progress and shortcomings, and doing it for you guys makes it rewarding.

I as well foresaw a MAC Title in your future this year - you can look to the bad losses against not as good Toledo and Western Michigan in particular. I think this was your best shot too as O'Toole and Rooney graduate and the picture on offense looks a lot murkier next fall. If memory serves you'll be starting two sophomores at QB and RB next year who aren't nearly as good. A bowl is still certainly possible, but I'm not sure a MAC title could be in the cards.