The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Opening loss to UCF filled with missed opportunity
Here are some thoughts on UConn’s season-opening 56-17 loss to UCF.
Opportunity lost: Limiting turnovers, getting pressure on UCF QB McKenzie Milton and seeing UCF’s field-goal kicker and punter on the field had to be near the top of UConn’s to-do list heading into the game. UConn didn’t force a turnover and had three costly ones — including one on the opening drive. There were no sacks or tackles for loss, which is a major problem for a team starting a true freshman at cornerback. Milton was barely touched and rarely pressured, and the Knights second TD pass could be traced back to a lack of a pass rush. Finally, the Knights were 9 for 11 on third downs, and their only fourth-down play resulted in a touchdown. UCF scored TDs on every trip to the red zone and only punted once. It was going to take a mistake-free game for UConn to stay with UCF and that certainly didn’t happen.
Productive Pindell: UConn quarterback David Pindell was benched in the 2017 opener. There was no such issues on Thursday. His 157 rushing yards were the second most by a UConn quarterback and most since 1968. His 423 yards of total offense are the most by a Husky in a season opener and sixth highest total in program history.
Baptism by fire: Likely no UConn/UCF football game will be played again without some reference to the ConFLiCT trophy created by former UConn coach Bob Diaco. While there was no
trophy to be presented or ignored as was the case of the 2016 game, Diaco’s footprints were all over the game. Hired because of his track record as a decorated defensive assistant coach, Diaco should have brought in recruits who formed the foundation of the current defense. Instead seven Huskies who had never played a snap at UConn made tackles, including
true freshmen Kevon Jones, Travis Jones, Jonathan Pace and Keyshawn Paul. Classmates Ryan Carroll and Lwal Uguak also got plenty of time. There are so many numbers that could be used to illustrate UCF’s dominance, but none better than the difference between the teams than this: UCF got 31 tackles from upperclassmen as opposed to a mere seven by UConn. With so many young players forced into key roles, it is no wonder that there were some missed assignments and blown coverages.
Welcome back: Senior tight ends Alec Bloom and Tommy Myers combined for a total of eight receptions a season ago. Their replacements almost topped that total in the opener as Aaron McLean had five catches and Tyler Davis two, including a 5yard touchdown. It was the most production out of the tight end position since an Oct. 17, 2015 game against South Florida.
Best news of all: UConn appears to come out of the game without significant injuries. Linebacker Eli Thomas limped off after making a tackle but returned to the game. UCF defensive back Aaron Robinson was taken off the field on a stretcher after covering the opening kickoff ,but after the game his head coach Josh Heupel said Robinson was expected to be OK.