What’s Up With the Quarterbacks? (Part 1/X)
The Story: Even though he struggled leading the offense in the season-opening 45-0 loss at Fresno State on Saturday, Jack Zergiotis will remain UConn’s quarterback, Randy Edsall said.
DECISION MADE: The reason Edsall gave on Saturday for sticking by Zergiotis is partially because he is “not going to start a quarterback controversy.” That’s a weird line of thinking, considering nothing kicks off a quarterback controversy like struggling to play the position.
• On Saturday, Edsall said: “He’s going to be the quarterback. It all starts up front. The quarterback takes too much blame when you lose [and] gets too much credit when you win. You’re never going to be good at football unless you get it done up front. Everybody else has to do their job. Everybody focuses on the QB, but it wasn’t much different with Steven [Krajewski] in there. We’re not going to start a quarterback controversy. We’re going with Jack. He’s going to get better.”
• On Sunday, Edsall said: “He’s got the best arm of any quarterback we have. … He’s accurate. We had a couple of dropped balls yesterday, but he’s our most accurate passer. … He just outperformed Steven, based on the stats we took every day in practice. That’s how you do it. You outperform somebody, and he did. That’s why he’s our starting quarterback.”
• We’re still yet to hear exactly how something like this happens to someone who is the “most accurate passer.” Cam Ross was lined up in the slot in the first quarter and 31 yards downfield when Zergiotis, not under pressure, overthrew him by 5 yards. And Ross is fast.
A WORRISOME TRACK RECORD: Zergiotis, a sophomore, completed 12 of 24 passes for 61 yards against Fresno State. He played in 10 games in 2019 and completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,782 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
• He threw for 178.2 yards a game in 2019. Of the 91 FBS quarterbacks who played in at least 75 percent of their team’s games and threw at least 250 passes, Zergiotis ranked 88th.
• In terms of passer efficiency rating, Zergiotis’ 118.2 put him 92nd among the 102 FBS quarterbacks who played in at least 75 percent of their team’s games and had at least 14 passing attempts per game.
• Take out the 418 passing yards and three touchdown passes he threw against ECU and … oh goodness do those numbers plummet.
WHAT’S THE SOLUTION? … You mean, the other solution? Well, how about taking 18 months to work on fundamentals and timing? Er, well …
• Simplify the offense. To be fair, there doesn’t appear to be much more that can be done in this realm. At some point, you have to make a play.
• Rely on the running game. Kevin Mensah is good and Miami transfer Robert Burns and true freshman Nathan Carter come highly regarded. This has, historically, been UConn’s bread and butter and the way Edsall wants to win games. It’s not a beautiful strategy, but wit the right people, it can work.
• Be stronger up front. “Fix the offensive line” is kind of a silly thing to suggest, given the Huskies had a year and a half to do that and those kinds of improvements don’t happen overnight. But it needs to protect Zergiotis and not play matador (like on the sack-fumble) and it needs to open holes for the running backs.
• Take your time. As much as it pains those of us who are looking forward to watching a winner, this entire thing is a project. Imagine how good a quarterback can be if he can start for four seasons. Will Zergiotis be that type of quarterback? Obviously, we don’t know yet. But there’s plenty of time for him to develop, even if UConn has not developed a quality quarterback since Dan Orlovsky.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS? Basketball season will be here soon.
Morning Reads
• The Blue Jays activated George Springer from the injured list yesterday afternoon. Springer, who has been limited by a sprained left knee, will be the designated hitter for the time being. Springer has only played in 49 of 129 games this season. (TSN)
