The 2-10 record doesn’t quite sum up how disappointing this season was for UConn.
The season finale against SMU was supposed to end on a high note and conclude back-to-back seasons with three wins.
Instead, the Huskies have hit rock bottom.
SMU escaped with a 27-20 win Saturday, but not before botching its victory formation not once, but twice. Followed by a gatorade shower for interim head coach Tom Mason, the Mustangs started the second half strong and avoided a winless season.
Ok, a zero-win year would have been rock bottom, but UConn is not far from it as it shares last place with SMU in the AAC.
In fact, the Huskies’ first win of the year came against FCS opponent Stony Brook, and that was too close for comfort as UConn only beat the Seawolves by three.
Do the math and you have… one quality win.
First year coach Bob Diaco made it (subtly) known that this was a tough group to inherit, but changes would be made on both sides of the ball.
Just when you thought the quarterback position was the only sure known thing for next year’s opener, Diaco opened up a new can of worms with his response to the possible quarterback of the future.
After going on about Tim Boyle’s nagging injury, Diaco let two words out of his mouth that I’m sure Boyle and the backups heard loud and clear: Open competition.
Boyle has the upper hand with a few starts under his belt, but N.C. State transfer Bryant Shirreffs and three-star recruit Tyler Davis will get their shot in the spring. The only down side for the future starter? No Geremy Davis. Stay tuned.
The running back core is young, but scary talented for the Huskies going forward. Ron Johnson eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the first time as he carried the rock 23 times and added a score of his own Saturday. The other exciting freshman, Arkeel Newsome, had some difficulties returning kickoffs and wasn’t a factor in the offense.
Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to predicting next year’s leading rusher, but Johnson looks like a good fit for the Huskies, even with Max DeLorenzo holding seniority over the rest of the backfield.
The offensive line made strides this year as a young group, and will return all but one starter next year. There were times where it looked like the protection for the quarterback couldn’t get worse, but this unit will continue to mesh and look to be a strong foundation for the offense next season.
On the other side of the ball, the Husky defense are better than their record shows them to be, specifically the linebackers. Graham Stewart and Marquise Vann have gotten most of the credit this year, but watch out for Junior Joseph who had an impressive showing against SMU. All return next year, but cornerback Byron Jones will not.
The Huskies already played their final five games without Jones after a shoulder injury ended his season, and it will be close to impossible to replace a guy like him in the secondary. Look for him to be the second UConn player taken in next year’s draft.
Ah, and then there’s the mastermind of all this, Diaco.
After spreading the word of constant progress throughout the season, Diaco is left looking like a man trying to giftwrap a football.
Yeah, it’s been that kind of year for Diaco. Even I predicted a .500 season, but in his first season Diaco managed to do worse than the year before he was hired. There isn’t any concern for his job going into next year, but steps towards success must be made if he wants to stay in Connecticut any longer than 2015.
If there’s one thing certain about UConn football going forward, it’s nothing.
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