What’s goin’ on?
Let’s take a look at UConn’s 24-21 win at Maryland Saturday…
Offense
Line: It was down Adam Masters (flu-like bug) and rolled Gus Cruz in there in his place. Masters being down forced more stability and consistency up front and it allowed Lyle McCombs (27×94) to have his best game of the season, still shy of expectations per game, yet productive. Still, I thought the guys could have stayed on their blocks a little longer. Quarterback Chandler Whitmer was only sacked once. From what we saw the previous two games, marginal as it was, there was success seen up front. C
Quarterback: Statistically it was the worst passing day for Whitmer (10 of 16, 68 yards,) in his three games. More importantly, it was also the worst day he’s had in terms of poise. Whitmer had happy feet Saturday. The gun-slinger turned gun-shy against Maryland. He had open targets he could have hit but held the ball too long. Now, Whitmer didn’t throw any interceptions in a game for the first time. So I wonder if he was over-thinking things so he wouldn’t. If that becomes a problem it’s a real problem because we may see more games with that kind of production which is hardly good enough. Whitmer came up big though on a pair of critical third-and-7s on what amounted to the game-winning drive. Speaking of which, the wildcat with Scott McCummings (8×44) produced big 21 and eight-yard gains on that drive as well. McCummings had no negative yards. Not going to grade the two quarterbacks individually but production out of the position. C minus
Running back: Maybe it’s me but McCombs hasn’t been as elusive as he was last season. Maybe it’s the fronts he’s faced (all three were good) but even Saturday when he had some gaps, getting to that second, third level seemed harder. Given that, bringing some diversity to the backfield might help spring him. Certainly pounding piles with thumpers can’t hurt. Still, this was McCombs most productive game numbers-wise. A little more could be done for him up front B minus
Fullback: No running back carried the ball other than McCombs but when Whitmer went to Reuben Frank early out of the backfield, I thought we might see more. We didn’t. Frank gained six yards on the early and only opportunity. These guys are big blockers in this system and blocking could have been better all the way around. C
Wide receiver: Mike Smith made a great move for a first down on a third down with an 11-yard gain. He was the Huskies leading receiver with two catches for 18 yards. Not sure what was going on here. There were some separation issues but the receivers have to work harder from what I see. Everybody has to work harder actually to make the passing game better than it’s been C minus
Tight end: John Delahunt (3×43) had a good day, minus a drop; Ryan Griffin (1×2), had some good blocks. B minus
Special Teams: Nick Williams’ first quarter punt return for a TD was huge. P Cole Wagner (44.6) had a great day. Chad Christen was 1 for 2 on field goals but the punt and kick off coverage teams had a difficult day against a really talented player in Stefon Diggs, granted, the Huskies have to get a little better here though, bottom line. This wasn’t the only game that showed that B minus
Defense
Line: The Huskies allowed 96 yards rushing. Considering six players carried the ball for the Terps that’s pretty good. Actually, it’s really good, 2.4 yards per tote. Ryan Wirth (six tackles and a near safety) is just a brawler and it’s fun watching him play. Shamar Stephen, returned from a knee injury, got some time. Angelo Pruitt had a big fumble recovery that led to a 34-yard Christen field goal. These guys were good. B plus
Linebacker: Yawin Smallwood (14 tackles,two sacks for minus 16 yards, three tackles totaled minus 20); Sio Moore (seven tackles, two sacks, three tackles totaled minus 13 yards), Jory Johnson (seven tackles). A
Secondary: Taylor Mack couldn’t get on the field at corner last season, really, because he couldn’t get the system down. Look at him now. Look at him yesterday. He did a fine job replacing Blidi Wreh-Wilson (hamstring) and the Terps picked on him all game with big and small receivers. The touchdown over him was offensive pass interference, sorry. He almost had an interception, too. He looked comfortable out there. Not sure why the Terps went at Dwayne Gratz. Dude was sick, slept 12 straight hours, came to the game and still ripped the one pass thrown his way. The Huskies played three safeties a lot with Wreh-Wilson out and that third safety, Andrew Adams, was outstanding. He and Ty-Meer Brown had five tackles. Byron Jones had four. B plus
DC
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18 Responses to Report Card: UConn Vs. Maryland
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Don’t look know but Smallwood is on his way to being an All American!!
Bold comment….I like it!!!
Defense was solid again. D Line and LBs solid. Lack out height at CB is being tested, and may be exploited as the season moves forward.
Special teams–can’t complain about running a punt back for a TD! But why, why, why do we keep on kicking (punts and KOs) to the same returner from MD who was their best player on the field all day? Hello, at some point do we figure out to kick “away” from this guy????
Offense still weak. Whitmer does not look confident in passing situations. Receivers not creating seperation from DBs. Where is Ryan Griffin? Preseason all conference TE????
O Line NOT opening holes for RB. Can we get someone besides McCoombs in the backfield? MD used 3 RBs.
Wildcat works–keep running it!
Big shout out to approx 4,000 Blue Shirted UCONN fans in Sec 2. I was in the middle of this group. Great turn out, great support for the Huskies. Somehow I don’t think it will be the same in Kalamazoo next Sat.
Dez,What is the injury report on Jesse Joseph?With Jennings gone for the year this is important for the Huskies.
Will learn more hopefully during 3 pm conference call with the head coach
Good win… anyway you can get one. Grades seem right on target.. maybe QB score a little high. Their inabilty to throw a forward pass in this era of D1 football is a major concern. I read your information on the offensive stats which confirmed the old WIFE TEST. ” Gee! they stink when they pass the ball ,dear.” Defense wins in the pros–not college.
I like the grades DC but the quarterback should be a D. I know you have to group McCumming with Whitmer. They just can’t throw the forward pass at all. It was good to see no INT’s.
What a drive after Maryland cut the lead to 17-14 in the 4th quarter. Solid drive (reminded me of an Edsall drive of the past) to get points. If Connecticut dosen’t score there they don’t win.
This team found a way to win just like they did under Edsall which was nice to see. Hope they can build off of it and win next week.
That drive is the reason I didnt give a D. Both QBs made big plays in it McCummings scored a TD and set up another; May not have liked how the production came from under center but they got enough to win the game
If I remmeber it correctly it was a smooth drive…the game winning drive…no?
Fairly, yes
Being a little hard on McCummings aren’t you? He was 1/1 for two yards. With him it is a matter of whether or not they will ever let him pass — based on what they see in practice, I guess. On the ground he did great. I’d give him a C+ or maybe even a B.
QB play was extremely poor… Any other Program and whitmer’s QB career is over.
Sorry but 7 Turnovers and No TD’s is a Major problem.
McCummings is coming along though. Should have used the Wildcat on that last drive to kill the clock, No?
Great Win for the Huskies though! I was there and the Fans were awesome too!
I’m being hard on McCummings?
Was a reply to Navin. “They just can’t throw the forward pass at all.”
I wouldn’t call 1/1 passing ripping it up. They had 68 yards passing in 1-A football. That’s not good.
Help me out here…you think they have a good passing attack RST? MCummings isn’t in there to pass the ball but it good to see him do it once in a while as it keep the defense off guard.
I said on another thread they need to do more passing. But McCummings can only complete the passes that the coaches call for him. So far, it’s been like one pass in three games. Go back and check my posts where I say that for the Wildcat to be really effective, they have to start letting him pass. And Whitmer has to pass more if only to enable the run.
Makes sense
I agree with that RST.
I don’t know why I can’t post below Desmonds last post but I can’t because there is no option.