Post UConn (Week 9, 2013)

As the clock strikes 0:00; the scoreboard reads 62-17, just a point shy of breaking our all-time single game scoring record (Charleston Southern, 2011). Against lowly UConn, our team did exactly what we expected them to do; smother their offense and limit scoring opportunities while scoring with ease with an explosive offensive onslaught. Unlike what we saw against Memphis, our team did not look complacent going against an opponent considerably weaker on paper than ourselves; we hit the ground running (or passing rather), and never looked back. We move into the bye week to prepare for a decisive homecoming match up against Houston with a lot of positives to look at.

Our offense didn’t miss skip a single beat this week; Blake threw 20/24 for 286 yards and a career high, not to mention an impressive 10 yard rushing TD. All these numbers were put up in just the first half. JJ Worton had a great return to form after a silent Memphis game and being injured in the first possession of the Louisville game, pulling down 6 catches for a career high 119 yards and a TD against UConn. Jeff Godfrey also had a career game, pulling down 6 receptions for 54 yards and 3 TDs. The offense took advantage of all four of UConn’s turnovers en route to the 62-17 rout we watched at Bright House Networks Stadium. One thing that impressed me is that Blake managed to put up the numbers he did in just one half of play, the backups started coming in after the first possession of the 2^nd half. I’m most impressed by how Coach O’Leary mixed it up in our gameplan and broke tendencies of our offense. We extensively using triple option instead of running his traditional pro-style offense we’re accustomed to. We saw Rannell Hall go in motion and take carries from the backfield, ultimately finishing the game as the team’s leading rusher with 5 carries for 45 yards (including a 17yd rushing TD). We saw Storm Johnson continue to be targeted in the passing game, finding the end zone for 7 yard receiving TD. We saw Blake Bortles keeping or pitching the ball on speed option plays and we saw the Wild Knight being used more frequently than we’ve ever seen in seasons past, albeit to minimal effect. On top of mixing up the play calling, our team showed that they can do it effectively (see, Rannell Hall’s performance) and that our offense can attack an opposing defense in a multitude of ways. Houston’s defense will have their work cut out for them in our November homecoming matchup.

On defense the pass coverage continues to look very impressive, giving up little to no big plays through the air while the first team was on the field. Despite the occasional hiccup like the massive 57 yard in the first UConn possession, the run defense held its own throughout the game, limiting the Huskies to 34 yards on the ground for the rest of the game following that big run. The defense gave UConn no room to breathe, limiting their offense to only 142 passing yards and 91 rushing yards while also forcing 4 turnovers. Sean Maag continues to have a stellar senior year, adding a fumble recovery and interception to his turnover count from this year. Troy Gray also pulled in a spectacular interception off of a wayward pass disrupted by Terrance Plummer and Jordan Ozerities also stood out getting three tackles including a 10 yard sack. Our defense showed up and did exactly what they were expected to do against the 0-6 Huskies. Hopefully the team goes into the bye week fired up from this dominant win and can put the visiting Houston Cougars through the wringer next Saturday on our homecoming weekend.