The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Pindell’s ability to run in the spotlight
BOISE, Idaho — The elusive running style of David Pindell is not exactly a closely-guarded secret.
The UConn starting quarterback capped his senior season at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Maryland with four straight 100-yard rushing games. His lone season as the starter at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa. included one contest when he rumbled for 129 yards.
Pindell was making defenders miss yet again to the tune of 157 yards in this year’s season-opening loss to UCF after rushing for at lest 95 yards in two of the final three games a season ago. The rushing total was the second highest mark by a quarterback in program history and the most by a UConn player in a season opener in 15 years. However, the film of Pindell’s running exploits is
making its way to all of the Huskies’ opponents.
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin couldn’t rave enough about what he saw from Pindell in the days leading up to UConn’s road opener on Saturday night. UCF was aware of the damage Pindell could do with his legs thanks to his 96 rushing yards in a 2017 game, but the Knights were flying a little blind heading into this year’s showdown with the Huskies since UConn offensive coordinator John Dunn hadn’t ever called all the offensive plays before. Moving forward, UConn opponents will be able to scout the tendencies of both Pindell and Dunn, forcing UConn to be ready for plans B, C and D.
“That is kind of what we are anticipating this week watching our game try to key me so as long as we follow our (keys) they are going to open up a lane for the running backs,” Pindell said. “If they are going to try to key me, it will allow our running backs and our players on the offense to get the ball and do what they do.”
There was no designated number of running plays for Pindell in the opener. More than a few times, he was in the pocket looking down the field when he had little choice but to use to legs to get out of trouble.
“I understand that the amount of rushes and yards maybe makes it look like we told him to run more than we did but some of that is instinctual,” Dunn said. “Not every play in the playbook is David running.
We understand that’s part of it and we can’t be one dimensional either so we have to plan for that.”
With the exception of one run, Pindell was able to avoid taking significant hits on his 22 rushing attempts against UCF. Still, each time he takes off and runs does open him up to the potential to take a big hit.
Pindell didn’t come to UConn to be a glorified running back. Nine different receivers caught passes against UCF with six of them having at least one reception of at least 10 yards. Pindell completed 27 of 41 passes for 266 yards in the opener. He was the only Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback with at least 250 passing yards and 150 rushing yards in the opening week of the season. Pindell was significantly more comfortable when he was on the move presented with the run/pass option. At times he seemed to hesitate before firing the ball down the field when he remained in the pocket.
“He needs to set his feet better and there are times when he couldn’t set his feet and still made accurate throws,” Dunn said. “I am certainly not displeased with the arm talent, the biggest thing is he has to continue to (set) his feet in the pocket.
“Like any quarterback sometimes they go a little too slow, sometimes they go a little too fast. I think there is a comfort level that he is getting, it is not only when a guy is open but when he is supposed to be open because not everybody is designed to be open just like that. There are sometimes when you are trying to uncover a different guy
and he has to be a little more patient to see that. There are times when maybe he is seeing it too long and he needs to move on so but the biggest thing we always talk about, the question I have is are you seeing it? If you are seeing it, we are in good shape but if you are not seeing it, now we have to correct his eyes.”
Dunn liked much of what he saw from Pindell, but more importantly, loved what he was hearing from his quarterback.
“I think he saw it for the most part,” Dunn said. “I think his decisions and his explanations of his decisions was on par. There are some times when the guy can’t tell you and that means you aren’t seeing it. I thought his communication during the game was good which means he is seeing it.”
Pindell had one of his throws get away against UCF, resulting in an interception late in the first half. The miscue prevented the Huskies from getting some points on the board just before halftime. Some of that was Pindell being a little impatient more than feeling uncomfortable sitting back in the pocket and throwing the ball down the field.
“I feel like I have been pretty comfortable in the pocket just sitting back there and if I feel something, my instincts just take over,” Pindell said. “I feel like if I can get out, I can make a play or extend a play when I am in the pocket when wide receivers are running down the field.”