Back in June, I ranked UConn as having the second lamest non-con in the Big East. Rutgers edged them out because Rutgers is a better team and some of the utter badness scheduled (plus I dinged UConn for also including a non-con road game to Virginia thinking the Cavs would be better than they’ve shown) — but man those Rutgers fans sure are touchy. The team and their coaches know that no one thinks much of the Huskies based on their early schedule. So that makes the Pitt game a big deal for them.
But three weeks into the season, all we really know about UConn is the negative perception of last week’s game against Temple. Upon what else do we have to base our opinion of the Huskies?
There’s not much to be gleaned from wins over Duke and Maine, but it’s impossible to shake the fact that UConn’s win over Temple ended with the following words: “inconclusive evidence.” If the court of public opinion had a say as to whether Temple wide receiver Bruce Francis got his foot down in bounds for the winning touchdown, Temple walks away with a stunning upset victory.
While it doesn’t work that way, the perception stands.
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So they play the schedule that’s in front of them, because that’s all they can do. But make no mistake, respect won’t come to UConn by beating the bottom feeders of college football. A 3-0 record doesn’t fool the naked eye, and that puts more of a premium than ever on Saturday’s game at Heinz Field.
Not that UConn isn’t the only one looking to make a statement. Or is it just excuses still for last year.
Rhoads said Hernandez, who was benched for poor play several times last season and then was moved to wide receiver in the offseason, had a career day and deserves credit. But he knows his defense didn’t put its best foot forward that day.
“That was a game, if [Hernandez] would have scripted for himself, I don’t think he could play any better,” Rhoads said. “But we’ve obviously got to tackle a lot better. The fact that we gave up so many big plays, we just have to eliminate it like we have so far.”
The Huskies’ quarterback this season is Tyler Lorenzen (6-5, 226). He isn’t quite as mobile as Hernandez but still poses a threat to run.
“He is big and strong and fast and he is an extremely accurate passer,” Rhoads said. “Hopefully, we won’t see the scrambling display we saw last year, but he will tuck the ball and go.”
“Hopefully.” Ugh.
Finally, a piece on the film study of the UConn D-backs. Nothing given away about this week. Call it a hunch, though, but I think it will involve stuffing the box against the run.
“For all I know, they could put Hart as quarterback. Put him in an empty backfield, shotgun, like everybody else is in the country is doing these days.”
Shot at us? Or is he *not concerned about us at all* and talking about other games?
Did I fucking call this months ago or what? link to post-gazette.com Fucking kangaroo courts out in the boonies.
And the shithole to our south:
If Fields even misses 1 second of time, its a travesty. I’m not sure why he hasn’t been allowed to practice. This is normal shit for kids nowadays. Rifuckingdiculous.
Stuart, you’re out of your mind.
link to shoppittpanthers.com
Hmmm, so then since some of the guys at the apartment lied, I guess I can feel pretty comfortable saying I’m not likely to believe any of it. Talk about your all-time double standards right there. Right, but PSU players are felons and Pitt players are saints. Hell, they should probably just arrest the police officer who tasered Fields for having the audacity to slander the great name of a Pitt Panther!! For shame!!
That has nothing to do with the Fields situation but, like 9/11, it’s a public service to remind everyone now and again.
Actually it has everything to do with Paterno, however. In the Pgh region he is worshipped like a God by everyone except heretics … I mean Pitt fans. His hypocrisy and outright deceit regarding ‘discipline’ of athletes has set the standard.
Given the severity of the charges, Pitt fans should immediately demand the suspension of Fields. College sports isn’t a democracy. Once/if the charges are reduced or dropped, then it can be reconsidered. Period. Black and white, really. Yet it’s almost like we’re resentful that Pitt has to follow the rules and Paterno doesn’t. It’s easy and understandable, because what Paterno does is reprehensible and the fact that the media is complicit is worse. But let’s not lose sight of what’s right.
That said, this whole nonsense about “Paterno doesn’t punish players” is pretty much a load of crap. I understand that Pitt fans are wired to hate everything JoePa and PSU, but to overlook all the good he’s done for the game (and his former and current players) is just silly. Making statements such as “Society will be better off when Joe Paterno is dead” are just ridiculous, as I’d postulate that for every JoePa hater there’s probably at least 50 JoePa lovers, not all PSU fans.
If you don’t like the guy, or disagree with his methods, fine. But to make such classless statements reflects upon your fanbase as a bunch of whiny brats who are STILL jealous of PSU’s stature…most of which is thanks to the great man that is Joe Paterno.
As for Fields, yes, serious charges, but who knows WTF really happened? No, this isn’t a democracy. It’s Dixon’s dictatorship, so let’s let him decide on the best course of action. I may not be his biggest fan as a coach, but, if anything, he seems to be a man with integrity to spare. I’ll defer to his judgment.
Maybe all of college sports should agree to some sort of dicipline rules to go by. Everyone charged with a felony suspended from team until disposition, or everyone plays until disposition of all crimes. It is absurd that some programs ignore all laws and push trials back until after the season and others won’t allow one of their top players to even practice. We need some consistency and rules to go by. This inconsistent ex post facto law is ridiculous.
I agree wholeheartedly and without reservation
The only reason – the sole reason – Pitt lost to UCONN was due to OUR defense. We gave them the game last year. This year we will be coming out on all cylinders.