Growing Pains
The Story: Tyler Phommachanh’s two-point conversion pass was batted down in the flat and UConn’s bid for an improbable upset was dashed in heartbreaking fashion in a 24-22 loss to Wyoming.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: UConn was a 30-point underdog and +2000 on the money line and had the betting world on edge for a couple of hours at least on Saturday. We aren’t going to go blow by blow, but the beleaguered UConn program had a 16-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter before the defense ran out of gas late, Phommachanh orchestrated a last-minute drive (with the help of three pass interference penalties) and nearly got the Huskies into overtime. There are no moral victories in sports, but what has us excited is the spark of freshmen such as Phommachanh, running back Nate Carter and wide receivers Brian Brewton, and Aaron Turner. Honestly, this was good and fun football by the Huskies and we see a lot of room for rapid improvement in the coming weeks.
SO HOW WAS THE QB? The kid can play. The good thing about youth is they don’t know much and Phommachanh didn’t know that college football teams are not supposed to win as 30-point underdogs. After two games, it is clear the freshman quarterback has talent and we are 100% in on him being the quarterback. His athleticism hides some of the weaknesses of the team, specifically on the offensive line. On Saturday, he had 171 yards passing, one touchdown and one brutal interception. We like his legs as he gained 46 yards rushing but struggled in the second with his accuracy. He’s going to learn to recognize defenses and to deliver the ball with more accuracy, and if he can do that the Huskies have a dangerous player on the field. He was only 19-of-39 passing, made some questionable throws and could have easily had three or more interceptions. We’ll take that, however, considering the spark he gives the team and the danger he is when he is out of the pocket.
DEFENSE RUNS OF OUT GAS: After getting shredded by Purdue and Army in successive weeks, the Huskies were better against Wyoming, allowing 352 yards. The Cowboys did rush for 206 yards and owned the fourth quarter, but the Huskies held Wyoming to 352 yards. The secondary played its best game of the year, though defensive back Myles Bell did leave the game with a serious leg injury.
WHAT DID LOU SPANOS SAY? “We’re getting better. Their heads have got to be up, because what they did, they fought. They fought to the end … we’ve got to finish the next opportunity.”
WICKED SCHEDULE: We all know that UConn is the butt of national jokes, but the Huskies’ schedule is ranked in the top 10 in the nation for difficulty early this season. UConn’s first five opponents are a combined 19-2. You are your record, we get it, but Vanderbilt managed only 72 yards of offense in a 62-0 loss to Georgia this week. UConn then has UMass and Yale coming up in future weeks. There are no gimmes for UConn football, but the caliber of play in the second half of the season isn’t as difficult as the first. The team is due.
UP NEXT: UConn is at Vanderbilt next week at 7:30 p.m.
