The Big East’s new procedure of releasing information twice a week has given UConn coach Randy Edsall the impetus to not discuss injuries at all this season.
On Monday’s the league reveals those players out for the season or having surgery, and on Thursday’s (or two days before a game) injured players are listed as doubtful, questionable, probable or out.
So Edsall has taken the opportunity to clam up entirely when it comes to injuries. It’s certainly his prerogative, it just makes life tough for people like me and fans who are salivating to know such details.
– So, along those lines, we can report at this time that LB Scott Lutrus may or may not be injured and that he may or may not be limited or out for this week’s game against Texas Southern.
“I’ve got no comment on anything about injuries,” Edsall said Sunday.
Lutrus left Saturday’s 30-10 loss to Michigan with what appeared to be an injury. He has suffered from shoulder stingers in the past.
TE Ryan Griffin (leg) may also still be less than 100 percent, as well as DE Trevardo Williams (???).
If Lutrus, or anybody else, is on Monday’s list then it’s bad news. If he’s not, it at least means the injury isn’t really bad.
– Among the other items Edsall did discuss Sunday was his team’s performance on third down.
“The third down situation on both sides of the ball was disappointing,” Edsall said, pointing out that the Huskies were a less-than-average 4-of-15 and the Wolverines were an ungodly 14-of-19.
– The offensive line was obviously not great against Michigan. Nor was its counterpart on defense.
“I didn’t think they were very good. I thought we got whupped on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” Edsall said. “We didn’t win the battle in the trenches, obviously.”
– RB D.J. Shoemate had a key fumble, as Husky fans all know now.
RB Robbie Frey wasn’t exactly outstanding, either,
Perhaps because of that or perhaps just because the coaches don’t feel they can spread the ball around any more, the Huskies may not use three tailbacks in their next game.
“It might be a situation where you only play two guys,” Edsall said. “Or you play three. We’re going to have to talk about that and see which way we go.”
– What happened on Cole Wagner’s 5-yard (shanked) punt?
“He didn’t tuck his elbow like he’s supposed to when he punts,” Edsall said. “It was technique.”
– The much-maligned defensive secondary was seemingly bad, but not any worse than any other position group Saturday.
“We had one major bust,” Edsall said. “It was a lack of communication on that big pass play.”
A couple of DB’s drew praise from the coach, however.
“I thought Harris Agbor was productive in the game. I thought Blidi (Wreh-Wilson) was productive in the game,” Edsall said.
– And how did true freshman WR/QB Leon Kinnard do in his debut?
“He showed that he was a true freshman,” Edsall said.
“He made mistakes just like other people made mistakes,” the coach continued.
– There were positives, of course. RB Jordan Todman wasn’t bad.
“I thought Jordan had a good day. I thought Jordan played well,” Edsall said. “He was a hair away from breaking a couple for even (more) yardage.”
– The good news in Edsall’s mind is that none of the Huskies’ mistakes were season-enders.
“I don’t think there’s anything that’s not correctable,” Edsall said.
“There were positive things from the game. We had a bunch of tackles for losses,” Edsall said. “We made some good plays but there were too many bad plays to overcome.”
– FYI, here are Sunday’s stories from the game.
Mr. Smith’s up-and-down day leads the notebook.
A short story on the big crowd at the Big House.
- Neill
