UConn sports

We just finished our final interviews with UConn coach Randy Edsall and Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops as both sides get ready for Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl.

And, in case you were worried, we now have a near full complement of the football version of the horde on site with the arrival of the New London Day’s Chuck Banning and the New Haven Register’s Chip Malafronte. More competition, yes, but more camaraderie, too.

Here are the highlights from the coaches:

– The usual questions about UConn being a 17-point dog were asked, and the coach gave a pretty good answer.

“That’s the story of our life,” Edsall said. “We have been the underdog ever since we’ve undertaken this adventure, this journey. So it is really no different than what we’re used to all the time.

“I always think any time if there is somebody who doubts you or questions you, it just makes you go a little bit harder and play a little bit harder and prepare a little bit harder,” he added.

– A good illustration of how far UConn has come in Edsall’s tenure: it’s opponents at the start and finsh.

“This year we opened up with Michigan and we’re finishing with Oklahoma,” Edsall said. “It’s a lot different than opening up with Maine and ending with Rhode Island. I think that spells out exactly where we’ve come from, what we’ve been able to do and what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

– The teams have one common opponent in Cincinnati, and Edsall admitted and his coaching staff paid a lot of attention to the Oklahoma-Cincinnati film when preparing for the Fiesta Bowl.

“We know who Cincinnati is and how they play,” Edsall said. “Being familiar with them, it gives us a little bit of a reference point with Oklahoma.”

“You might put a little more emphasis maybe on that particular film than maybe some of the other ones,” Edsall added.

– In part because he’s the chairman of the NCAA Football Rules Committee, Edsall was asked about the celebration penalty called on Kansas State late in its Pinstripe Bowl loss to Syracuse Thursday.

“It’s unfortunate but that is the rule,” Edsall said. “I think the official did make the right call based on the rule that we have.”

Edsall, always one of the rules’ staunchest defenders and a proponent of team celebrations, said his team knows the rules well.

“I think it is always tough because everybody knows there is no gray area,” Edsall said. “We’re not saying you can’t celebrate or you can’t have fun. There is a way to have fun. And that was one where it was more individualistic rather than a team.”

– Stoops wasn’t quite as thrilled with the interpretation of the rule but said his players know not to test the officials’ judgment.

“Absolutely it will be addressed. It is quite often addressed,” Stoops said.

“What’s explained to them is it’s a judgment call,” Stoops said. “So if you open the door for it to be called then don’t be _ if it’s called, don’t be saying ‘All I did was this.’ You opened the door, gave them the opportunity, and everybody’s judgment is different. So don’t go there.”

– Edsall said he’s been pleased with the preparation this week.

“Things have gone as well as can be expected for us practice-wise,” Edsall said.

“We’re healthy. The kids are in a good frame of mind,” Edsall said. “Really we’re just in a good frame of mind and really just now waiting to go play the game.”

The team’s final practice was Thursday. Today the Huskies have less physical duties.

“Now we do more mental work today and we have a walk-through and meetings,” Edsall said. “So all the physical stuff is done and now it’s time to do more with the mental part of the game.”

– Stoops was also pleased with his team’s work leading up to the game.

“I’m really pleased with the way our practices and meetings have gone,” Stoops said. “I feel like our players have been focused, have had a lot of energy and are looking forward to the challenge of the game.”

– Perhaps too much is made of the speed at which the Sooners run plays. Even if they play a fast tempo, they still have to run the plays well.

“I think the tempo, too much is made of it,” Stoops said. “Meaning execution is what I think has helped us be successful more so than tempo.

“If you are tempoing and still not executing very well or having penalties or not protecting the quarterback, you know, all these things, you are still not going to be successful. I think execution is still the reason we’ve had success.”

– Oklahoma has lost its last five BCS games, including three national championship games. Two of those were losses here to Boise State and West Virginia.

“It’s brought up. Our players are aware of it,” Stoops said. “But each year is a different game, a different team. So our players understand it but they also know this is this year’s team and we haven’t finished yet.”

– There will be a Pac-10 officiating crew working the Fiesta Bowl. That brings up some bad memories for Oklahoma fans.

The Sooners were famously “jobbed” by a Pac-10 crew in a loss at Oregon in 2006. A fiasco of on-field rulings and replays on an Oregon on-side kick helped the Ducks stun Oklahoma in the final seconds.

“I thought of that a little bit,” Stoops said with a chuckle. “I’m sure they will do a good job. I haven’t…I’m sure the guys that did the Oregon game a few years ago probably aren’t here. Just guessing.”

– Here are few pictures from Friday’s news conference, courtesy of Mr. Elsberry.

- Neill

Just a quick list of the stories myself and colleague Chris Elsberry had in today’s Post.

Peruse, if you haven’t already.

UConn is scrambling to raise a few more dollars before the game

Scott Lutrus has bounced back nicely from another injury

Fiesta Bowl update, with the latest players to watch

The notebook, with a few jersey shenanigans at practice

The all-important breakdown of the matchups in the game

We’ll have some updates from today’s meeting with UConn coach Randy Edsall and Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops in a short while.

- Neill

Just back from the UConn football team’s workout at Arizona State’s “bubble” in Tempe.

A few notes before we head out to meet the Huskies again, this time for a quick chat at their hotel.

– CB Dwayne Gratz and OT Mike Ryan, both of whom had some stomach issues that forced them to miss Wednesday’s practice, were on the field and seem ready to go.

– It was senior jersey switch day for UConn, which comes annually on the final practice of the season.

LB Scott Lutrus and QB Zach Frazer switched, LB Greg Lloyd and FB Anthony Sherman traded, as did OG Matt Olivier and OG Zach Hurd, as well as DT Alex Polito and LS Derek Chard.

The most interesting switch, however, was between the No. 8 of LB Lawrence Wilson and the No. 23 of RB Jordan Todman. Maybe that’s a hint that the Huskies’ junior tailback isn’t long for the program.

– The Huskies did a quite a bit of special teams work Thursday in the portion the media were allowed to observe.

PK Dave Teggart looked sharp, though he did miss a 60-yard field goal attempt a bit short and right near the end of his kicks.

Not to be outdone, backup PK Chad Christen (who doubles as the Huskies’ kickoff specialist) nailed his attempt from 60 yards.

It was indoors and on turf but still, a nice boot nonetheless.

– One small tidbit. If the Huskies are in need of an on-side kick, it would seem to be Teggart’s job and not Christen’s. We’ll see if the game comes down to that.

- Neill

Hello from Scottsdale. Just a quick note to pass along to UConn fans. Had a chance to talk with UConn AD Jeff Hathaway for a story that will run in Friday’s paper.

Here are a few of Hathaway’s comments on the whole ticket sales/financial loss issue:

– Although UConn is certain to lose money on its trip to the Fiesta Bowl, perhaps a few million even, Hathaway pointed out that the way the Big East distributes its bowl money (UConn will get a check in the neighborhood of $2.5 million) normally works out for the Huskies.

“The last seven years that we’ve been in the Big East, we’ve been taking our cut of that BCS bowl payment,” Hathaway said. “Our first year in the conference, we’re one year in the Big East, and we’re taking out a share of the BCS bowl money. So it’s painful today. It’s a difficult financial situation, but we need to keep a little context in mind.

“That BCS bowl money has helped fund our trips to the Motor City Bowl, the International Bowl, Meineke and Papajohns. Some of those bowls don’t pay enough money to fund a trip so that funding for those participants is coming out of the BCS bowl payment.”

The BCS will pay the Big East $21.2 million but the league has adopted a system where the conference’s BCS rep doesn’t get the lion’s share of that money. As Hathaway pointed out, that usually favors UConn.

Hathaway said the school isn’t letting the fact that its only sold around 4,600 tickets out of a 17,500 allotment ruin the team’s trip.

“We’re here in Phoenix. It’s our first time in a BCS bowl. We want to do it the right way,” Hathaway said. “So we’re all focused on the experience for our student-athletes and coaches, making sure we all represent the university in a first class manner.”

Check out Friday’s paper for more.

- Neill

Good morning from the desert. We’ll have some UConn football updates for you as the day goes on, but the Huskies’ workout has been pushed back because of weather in the Phoenix area.

Wednesday the Huskies practiced outside in the rain. They didn’t want to get all wet two days in a row so they’re heading over the Arizona State’s bubble.

UConn is scheduled to practice at 2:15 local time (4:15 on the east coast). We’ll get a chance to speak with coach Randy Edsall and a few players at about 5:30 (7:30 back home). So check back here and on twitter (@NeillOstrout) for updates.

And in case you missed them, here are today’s stories from myself and colleague Chris Elsberry on the Huskies:

Jasper Howard still a key player for Huskies

Smashmouth approach works for UConn

Fiesta Bowl notebook, including the “sick-out”

Fiesta Bowl daily glance

Former UConn AD Lew Perkins recalls Huskies’ move to Division I-A

- Neill

You would think the UConn football team left the northeast to escape weather problems related to its practice time.

But it’s raining here now in the Phoenix area and the forecast calls for more Thursday.

Wednesday the Huskies toughed it out a bit, practicing in the rain at Pinnacle High School. Thursday things will be a little easier as UConn will move its practice to Arizona State’s indoor facility.

- Neill

Another day of info from the Oklahoma and UConn football teams as they prepare for the Fiesta Bowl here in the desert.

Here are a few of the highlights from Wednesday’s event:

– CB Dwayne Gratz and OT Mike Ryan missed today’s media day. Apparently the two have a touch of the stomach bug that’s been going around the team.

DT Twyon Martin missed Tuesday’s practice with a similar problem but says he’s fine.

“I’m feeling much better,” Martin said. “I had a little stomach bug.”

Martin missed the Huskies’ finale against USF with a leg injury but that isn’t going to keep him out of the Fiesta Bowl it seems.

“I’m really eager to go. I’m looking forward to playing this game,” Martin said.

– Former UConn QB Cody Endres has enrolled at Division II Slippery Rock, it seems.

The Observer-Reporter from Western Pa. has the story.

– My colleague Chris Elsberry has a few shots from today’s activities on his blog.

FYI, UConn coach Randy Edsall was presented with some Tostitos food from one of that company’s officials, and also given a gift basket of candy from a local (Glendale, Ariz.) store by that town’s vice mayor.

– There was plenty of talk about the late Jasper Howard and how he would have loved this week’s festivities and the big game.

“I’m sure he would have loved this,” Edsall said. “He would have been right at home sitting here talking to all the people here. He would have been up there on the podium by himself and there probably would have been more people talking to him than talking to me.”

Howard was of course killed in the middle of last season on the UConn campus following a fight outside the Student Union.

– The UConn men’s basketball team has had plenty of success playing in and around the city of Phoenix. Jim Calhoun’s Huskies have played in three NCAA Tournament regional finals here, including 2009′s wins over Purdue and Missouri at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Apparently Calhoun and the basketball staff didn’t give Edsall any advice about playing in the building.

“No. They didn’t tell me anything about the building,” Edsall said. “It’s a little different for football than it is for basketball. But I know this, they would just tell me to go be physical and play good defense.”

– UConn WR Mike Smith isn’t sweating his appearance on one of college football’s biggest stages.

“I’m relaxed. It’s just another game,” Smith said. “It’s a big game for the school and also for us as a team, but it’s just another game when it comes down to it.”

And Smith also isn’t surprised his team is being written off by many prognosticators.

“It’s been like that almost all year. We played West Virginia and nobody gave us a chance,” Smith said. “You probably beat the nail in already. We’re used to it. We’re just going to go out there and play our game.”

– Oklahoma RB DeMarco Murray knows the pace at which his offense plays is tough to get ready for.

“I don’t know how you get ready for a tempo, or how you get ready for a team as fast as we go,” Murray said. “I don’t know their strategy but I’m sure they’re in shape. I’m sure they have good strength coaches.”

UConn’s defenders think they’re ready, of course.

“It’s going to be getting lined up, not giving up any cheap plays or penalties that benefit them,” LB Lawrence Wilson said. “It’s about being ready to play when they are.”

No matter what UConn does on defense, there’s a chance it won’t be enough.

“There’s been games they’ve had over 100 plays on offense,” LB Scott Lutrus said. “That’s impressive.”

– Lutrus would obviously love for the UConn offense to produce a couple of seven-and-a-half-minute drives to give the defense some time to rest.

“Absolutely. If they were going to do that any week, I guess this would be the game to do it,” Lutrus said.

– Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops offered a few words on his QB Landry Jones.

“He’s really come a long way. He’s a hard worker, he’s talented, he’s got a great arm,” Stoops said. “He’s already shown he’s an excellent quarterback but he has a chance to be one of those elite guys.”

Stoops said former OU coach Barry Switzer certainly thinks highly of Jones.

“I was sitting with Switzer watching a two-a-day practice and he, you know, evaluates talent pretty well,” Stoops said. “We’re sitting there for about a half an hour on a cooler watching and he says _ I won’t use the two words he starts off with because they’re cuss words _ but he says ‘Bob, this guy is going to be a first round draft pick.’ That was his assessment of watching a second-year guy, watching his ability and talent.”

– Edsall and Stoops are among the longest tenured coaches in FBS, both having been in their current jobs for 12 years.

“It’s a lifetime,” Stoops said.

– Stoops on UConn QB Zach Frazer: “He’s a winner. Those guys make a difference. They made the right plays at the right time.”

– A southern California native (and former Trojan, of course) UConn RB D.J. Shoemate has plenty of friends and family coming to Phoenix to watch him.

“I have about 12 people coming out. It’s phenomenal to have the friends and family here,” Shoemate said. “And then my birthday is on the first. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Shoemate’s 21st birthday should be a big party. He will likely become the first player ever to play in BCS bowls for two different teams.

“That’s what the word on the street is,” Shoemate said. “I have no idea what the statistics on that is. If I am, that’s truly a blessing.”

- Neill

Just back from a trip to watch the UConn football team practice for a few minutes at Pinnacle High School.

No bombshells from what I could gather in 15 minutes of watching a routine workout. Here are few nuggets, however:

– DT Twyon Martin was not at practice. According to a UConn official he was suffering from flu-like symptoms.

His absence doesn’t appear to have anything to do with the leg injury that kept him out of the USF game. It looks like he’ll be ready to go against Oklahoma.

– OT Mike Ryan (leg) was practicing with the starters and appears all set.

– Although he’s eligible to play against the Sooners, WR Malik Generett was sporting a scout team jersey in practice Tuesday.

It’s not clear what exactly Generett’s role, if any, will be against Oklahoma but it seems unlikely that he’ll make a major contribution on offense in the game.

– DE Marcus Campbell (knee) made the trip, in case you were wondering.

Campbell’s injury status hasn’t changed. He’s still out.

It’s just notable that he’s on the trip. It seems his November arrest on charges of fifth-degree larceny has not kept him away from the team completely.

Campbell tore the ACL in his knee during preseason practice.

– Another in case you were wondering (I’m sure there’s one or two of you out there): I’m not sure who the backup safety is now that Mike Lang is out.

It seems likely that Kijuan Dabney would play if needed regardless of which of the Huskies’ starting safeties (Jerome Junior and Harris Agbor) needed a replacement but at least in terms of the depth chart I’m not sure who is officially behind Agbor now. John Yurek is a probability but we’ll see.

- Neill