UConn Scouting/Preview Thread

[ZippyRulz]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c.../AFN4104492.htmhttp://www.nbc30.com/sports/14208511/detail.html

[Ryno aka Menace]

Quote from first article.... I wasn't a big Akron believer prior to the season, but the Zips have proved me wrong big time. After a win against Army, Akron held Ohio State to 20 points in week two.The following week, the Zips gave all they had at Indiana, a game they trailed by just three points with seven minutes remaining, and last Saturday, they defeated arch rival Can't State, 27-20. If Akron can contain Connecticut's running attack, this game is a complete toss-up.The Huskies are coming off a huge road win at Pittsburgh, benefiting from six Panthers turnovers, and will have a slight letdown against a team from the Mid-American Conference. Connecticut has already played another MAC school (Temple) and almost lost at home. The Owls had the game won with a touchdown in the back of the end zone on the last play of the game, but the referees and video replay ruled that he was out of bounds.Connecticut's young offensive line has allowed 13 sacks on the season and will have a hard time vs. the Zips, who have recorded eight in their four games. Look for this one to be close throughout, with Akron pulling out the "W" in the waning seconds.Take the Zips plus the points.Second....FACTS & STATS: Site: Rentschler Field (40,000) -- Hartford, Connecticut. Television: ESPN Regional. Home Record: Akron 2-0, UConn 2-0. Away Record: Akron 0-2, UConn 2-0. Neutral Record: Akron 0-0, UConn 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 1-0, UConn 1-0. Series Record: Connecticut leads, 2-0.GAME NOTES: The Connecticut Huskies will try to remain undefeated when they host the Akron Zips this Saturday afternoon in a non-league matchup from Rentschler Field. After losing back-to-back contests the Zips were able to get back on track with a hard-fought, 27-20 victory over Can't State this past weekend. It was the first win since opening the 2007 campaign with a 22-14 victory over Army. The Zips will remain on the road next week when they battle the Western Michigan Broncos. As for the Huskies, they have been perfect this season, winning all four of their matchups. The most recent victory was the most impressive to date, as the Huskies defeated Pittsburgh 34-14 on the road. Next up for UConn will be a road matchup with Virginia, followed by three consecutive home games. Connecticut has won the only two meetings between the two schools, including a thrilling, 38-37 victory over the Zips back in 2003.The Zips' offensive play has been embarrassing this season, as the team is currently producing just 242.8 total ypg, which has led to a meager 18.8 ppg. While the passing attack has been bad (145.5 ypg), the ground game has been atrocious, as the team is churning out only 97.2 ypg, while averaging a pathetic 2.7 ypc. This past weekend, the Zips were able to defeat Can't State despite having another lackluster offensive performance. Akron rumbled for 133 yards in the contest, but posted just 2.7 ypc. The passing attack was not much better as the team finished with only 112 yards through the air. Carlton Jackson only completed 7-of-20 passes in the game, finishing with just 99 yards and one score. Jackson also tossed an interception in the loss and was sacked twice. Jackson has been inconsistent on the season, completing just 53.6 percent of his passes for only 346 yards. Chris Jacquemain has also seen time under center, but he has struggled as well, throwing for just 236 yards in four games.The defensive unit for Akron has struggled to stop the run, as opponents are posting 203 rushing ypg on the year. As a whole however, the unit is surrendering just 363.8 total ypg, which has led to 23.8 ppg. This squad has been able to make big plays all season and heads into this matchup with a plus seven ratio in turnover margin. Unfortunately the team is struggling to get pressure on the quarterback, collecting just eight sacks thus far. In the recent victory over Can't State, the defense continued to have trouble against the run, allowing the flushes to churn out 220 yards on the ground. Fortunately the team countered its troubles with the run by collecting four turnovers and three sacks. Akron also held Can't State to just 15 first downs and only 3- of-13 on third down attempts. Brion Stokes had an outstanding game for Akron, collecting 10 tackles to go along with one sack and one fumble recovery.The Huskies head into this meeting with Akron averaging a stellar 34.8 ppg, and the main reason for the overwhelming amount of points is due to the team's ground attack, which is producing 160.8 ppg. In the recent victory over Pittsburgh, the Huskies only churned out 115 yards on 46 carries (2.5 ypc). However, despite the low output, UConn was able to collect a 20-point victory. Donald Brown led the way with 53 yards and one touchdown, and now has a team- best 293 yards on the ground to go along with four touchdowns. The passing attack was not effective in the win over Pitt either, as the team finished with just 174 yards through the air. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen only completed 12-of-25 passes in the win, with no touchdowns. Lorenzen has been mediocre at best this season, throwing for only 880 yards. The signal-caller has completed a solid 63.6 percent of his attempts, but has just four touchdowns against two interceptions.It is safe to assume that the defensive unit for Connecticut has played a tremendous role in the team's red-hot start. UConn has held the opposition to a meager 250.5 total yard per contest and that has led to a pathetic 11.2 ppg. This unit has consistently made big plays all year, racking up 13 turnovers and 12 sacks. In the recent victory over Pitt, the defense was stellar once again, yielding just 349 total yards and only 14 points. The front line was superior, holding the Panthers to just 72 yards on 23 rushing attempts. The front seven for UConn has been tenacious all season, allowing just 85.0 rushing ypg, which is 16th best in the nation. Lawrence Wilson tallied 11 tackles in the win over Pittsburgh and now has a team-best 37 stops on the year.The Huskies are an extremely dangerous team and should continue their perfect run on the season. Connecticut should be able to score enough points this weekend to hold off the lackluster offensive attack of Akron.Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Connecticut 31, Akron 10Saturday, September 29th, 12:00 p.m. (et)Perhaps the biggest game of th

[ZippyRulz]

http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.c...id=569454&rfi=6After the 4-0 start, the next most important statistic in the early season for the Huskies is plus-9. That is the difference in turnover margin. The Huskies have run back an interception for a touchdown in three-of-four games and have created 13 turnovers to only four giveaways. Most importantly, the UConn defense is scoring points. The Huskies have scored 23 this season, three touchdowns and a safety. They also have several more forced turnovers deep in opponents' territory. The Huskies are on a run in the early season setting up defensive scores.

[UAZipster0305]

I don't like the second analysis because it doesn't take much consideration for the level of competition. There is no way UConn's offense will put up 31 points on us if OSU was only able to score 20! Not to mention that UConn doesn't have a "Vick" quarterback like IU and Can't do, which inflated a lot of the defensive yardage stats.I look for us to pull out another gritty and surprising win, 24-21 on a game ending field goal.

[Zipsrifle]

I don't like the second analysis because it doesn't take much consideration for the level of competition. There is no way UConn's offense will put up 31 points on us if OSU was only able to score 20! Not to mention that UConn doesn't have a "Vick" quarterback like IU and Can't do, which inflated a lot of the defensive yardage stats.

We have played two Big 10 teams and a good Can't team. With that said, I'm not so sure about us playing UConn close this weekend. To start, we're pretty beat up. I'm not sure what the update is on the injury list, but hopefully some of the guys have healed. Our offense is still terrible. It doesn't matter who is in at QB, I keep wanting the other CJ in the game. CJ 7 is a bit too jumpy in the pocket, terrible at short passes and doesn't seem to see the field as well. CJ 11 is likely to stay in the pocket too long and can't run. Doesn't matter who is in the game, they always have pressure and can't pass the ball. I have to believe that it isn't our running backs that are keeping us from gaining yards, rather it is play calling and the O-Line. The line is young and are the root of our issues....don't know what we can do here except hope they are quick learners. I would love to see something different on offense. We seem to run the same plays over and over and over. Almost hoping to get the D lulled to sleep so we can catch them sleeping. We can't pass deep, so I would love to see more short, quick timing passes. I think we can pull these off. I also think we should leverage Jabari's arm more. He did an AWESOME job last week rifling that pass on the kick return. Bottom line, against a good D, I don't expect our offense to have much production. Our D is good, but I don't think we can hold them scoreless the entire game. Losing Mackey is huge. If they keep running at us, I think we'll just be too tired in the 4th. Our DB have been doing a great job, except for last week, thank GOD Can't couldn't catch. Sorry to sound so -ve, but we've got to put points on the board, and we aren't doing that very well. Our D should keep us in the game, but they are not a D that can shut down good teams. In the end, I'm hoping for continued improvement all around and lots of turnovers. If that is the case, we'll be in it late and at least JD has a history of making things happen late in the game.

[ZippyRulz]

http://media.www.buchtelite.com/media/stor...t-2994299.shtmlAkron wins vs. BCS1. @NC State, 20062. pending next game Akron wins vs. ranked opponents:1. Marshall, year?Near Misses:1. Va. Tech, year?2. @Wisconsin, 2004?3. @UConn, 2003 -- don't know if they were BCS yet thoI don't remember exactly how close our scores were w/Purdue, more than a FG IIRC.Someone want to edit/fill-in the list?

[Zipsrifle]

I use this link for past akron scores:http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/ma...s.php?year=2005VT - 1996Wisc - 2003

[RACER]

i would hope jd would open the playbook up,and start taking some shots deep on first down.for one i would like to see cj fake the dive and drop back,and pass.i agree with the other poster our play calling has been about three different plays this year.i know our line is young, but you have to keep the defense honest also.

[Zipsrifle]

CJ seems to have a decent deep ball.....if he gets time to pass. His short game makes me cringe. Our line really needs to improve for both running and passing.

[zip81]

I use this link for past akron scores:http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/ma...s.php?year=2005VT - 1996Wisc - 2003

Thanks for passing that on.That's an excellent site!

[Zipsrifle]

I had a better one, but it is no longer working, so this will have to work.

[Zipsrifle]

So are we going to get a return game from UCONN here at some point? They went D1-A not too long ago, and we've already gone to their place TWICE with no return. We appear to be very evenly matched teams, so outside of the state of the RB, what's the deal. I checked the future schedules and I don't see them anywhere.

[ZippyRulz]

I think the days of scheduling games at BE schools without a return visit are over now that the new stadium is underway. The new stadium will increase our options and negotiating power when it comes to scheduling and we're not building it to play 8 games per season on the road. We'll probably still go to the OSU's of the world for the big paycheck but not to the east coast for a mediocre paycheck. I would imagine we'll see some 2-for-1's but there should also be 1-for-1's with some schools that never would have come to the RB. We will need big crowds at the new stadium to keep them coming back which I think we will have. Those who think the new stadium will only be a temporary boost for the first couple years will be proven wrong. It will help us with the ongoing recruiting & retention of quality student athletes, everything else feeds off of that.