zion turner

On the heels of several days of getting my soul restored after watching Hawaii's defense, I am back with this week's FFFF. No, it's not a good team this week. In fact, it's likely another very bad one, but I can guarantee you this piece will be less grim than either of the Hawaii ones from last week. Today we're looking at the offense for the University of Connecticut, who return to the schedule for the first time since 2013, when the main photo for this piece was taken by a then-much-younger Patrick Barron of The Michigan Daily in his pre-MGoBlog days. The Huskies are 1-2 on the season and in the first year of head coach Jim Mora Jr. Can he fix UConn football? Too early tell, but we can learn a few things in doing this exercise. 

The Film: We're using film from UConn's week zero matchup with Utah State for this one. I had hoped to use last week's game against Syracuse due to the Orange being a Power 5 opponent but I could not find a usable copy of that in time to start charting, perhaps because it was approximately the 39th most important game from last weekend and the kind of people who upload these games have enough self-respect. Week zero, though? It was one of only a few games, so footage was ready to use. An important thing to know here is that Utah State does not appear to be the Aggies of the past. USU went 11-3 last season and won the MWC but this year they appear to be horrendous, getting spanked by FCS Weber State last weekend. That Utah State still ended up beating this UConn team in the game I broke down, so, yeah. 

Personnel: Chart, click to enlarge. PDF.

Quarterback appeared to be the most ominous position for UConn coming into the season and that has mostly stayed the same. Anointed starter Ta'Quan Roberson lasted just two drives to begin the season before suffering a torn ACL that ended his 2022. Backup Zion Turner is now the starter, a 3* true freshman who is very much playing like one right now. Cale Millen, brother of CSU starter Clay Millen, is now the backup QB and has been used as a run-first QB option, almost like a Wildcat QB. 

Nathan Carter gets the start at RB and he is this week's dangerman, a fine player who shoulders a sizable load for the Huskies as the primary every-down back. Brian Brewton is #2 back who comes on in 2 RB sets for receiving purposes and occasionally in relief of Carter, a smaller, more lightweight option. Robert Burns has two carries this season and is the nominal FB for when UConn goes to the I-Formation. His lone carry in this game was a FB dive. 

UConn uses TEs a decent amount, with Brandon Niemenski being the one who is used most often. He is a poor blocker and doesn't offer a ton as a receiver either. Reserves who come on in 12 personnel include Russell Dixon and Bo Estes, the former being the biggest receiving threat at the position. As for the WRs, Quebecer Kevens Clercius has emerged as the primary big outside guy, while Aaron Turner is a smaller slot type who gets the most catches (because spoiler, UConn runs a lot of screens). Keelan Marion, Nigel Fitzgerald, and Jacob Flynn are other outside WR options who rotate, while Devontae Houston doesn't get many snaps but gets lot of touches as the designated jet motion handoff guy who comes across the formation. 

The offensive line is relatively stable for the Huskies, with the headliner being Christian Haynes, a very solid player who is definitely the best of the bunch. Dartmouth transfer Jake Guidone starts at center next to Noel Ofori-Nyadu to complete the interior, while Colorado transfer Valentin Senn anchors LT opposite Chase Lundt at RT. Lundt was the weakest piece of the line in your author's opinion. Chris Fortin is the sixth OL, notable because UConn uses six OL a not-insignificant amount of time. Fortin may also rotate in at one of the five starting positions as well.