UCONN struggles in blowout 56-17 loss

The score may indicate that the Huskies never had a shot in this game, but considering it was only 28-10 and David Pindell played a marvelous game, there are such things as moral victories.  Listen, no one was thinking that this extremely young and inexperienced team would take down the “National Champion” UCF Knights.  There were some positives.  At the same time, there were many more negatives.  Let’s take a look at both.

Good

David Pindell (for the most part)

David Pindell was efficient for most of the night, pretty much accounting for all of the UCONN offense.  He was 27/41 for 266 yards, ran for 157 yards and scored two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing.  Even though he threw an ill advised interception at the end of the first half, he was the bright spot in this game.

Without Pindell, this game could have easily been 70-0.  The running game was non-existent less him, and he prevented many three and outs that would have exposed the young Husky defense even more.  Look for Pindell to improve as the season comes along.  The senior still has a lot to learn but is heading in the right direction.

The kicking game

It’s hard to reach for any positives when you lose by nearly 40 points, but the kicking game was one of them.  Michael Tarbutt hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 10-3 in the first half and converted on both of his extra point attempts.

This may not seem like a big deal, but 44 yards is a long way for most college kicker.  In addition, Tarbutt only converted on one of his four attempts between 40-49 yards last season.  He did kick a ball out of bounds to begin the second half, but overall looked strong.

Bad

The entire defense, but specifically Keyshawn Paul

The Huskies’ defense is extremely young.  So young that they’re starting the most underclassmen in the NCAA this season.  They have a lot to learn, and they last thing that they needed to start the season was to go up against a Heisman favorite in Hawaii’s own McKenzie Milton.  Milton completed 24/32 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns.

The pass rush was nearly non-existent, the defense did not force any turnovers, and Keyshawn Paul was exposed all game.  He was beat by both Tre Nixon and Dredick Snelson multiple times, picked up a very costly unnecessary roughness penalty in the first half, and looked lost for most of the game.  It was a poor effort by the freshman and he was exposed all game.

The non-existent running game

If you take away David Pindell’s rushing yards, the stats for the UCONN running backs are as follows;  24 attempts, 63 yards, and a fumble.  Kevin Mensah averaged only 3 YPC, Khyron Gillespie had one carry for six yards, and Zavier Scott fumbled the ball immediately when the game was still close.

The running game cannot be blamed on just the running back though.  Pindell was running for his life the entire game and the offensive line did nothing to open holes or protect their quarterback.  There are plenty of young guys on the line also, but it seemed like more lack of effort than anything else.

The Huskies have little to build off of, as pretty much nothing went right except for the incredible athleticism of their quarterback.  Their schedule doesn’t get any easier, as they play #22 Boise State on Sept. 8th.  Coach Randy Edsall is going to have his hands full this week in practice.

On paper, this team can maybe win three games.  However, with Pindell leading the offense and hopefully an improved defensive effort the next few games, this UCONN team could win five games potentially.  I wouldn’t get my hopes up though.