UConn Beats South Carolina, Redeems The Big East

// January 4th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

As many of you know I went down to Alabama for the PapaJohns.com bowl, I began tweeting my adventure, and then like a sick twist of fate to my blogging soul, my laptop and cell phone (excuse me, PDA, ehem, Smartphone) died.  And I was left for the rest of the trip, living like I was Amish.  Although it did allow me a few opportunities to better collect my thoughts.  So here they are.

1.  It is always good getting to go back and see your old teammates.  A slightly slimmer Rob Lunn was able to appreciate just how truly athletic and…well…huge our UConn offensive and defensive line is.  And, after watching the game, I have a feeling that Steve Spurrier was equally surprised.

2. Maybe instead of living my life based on stereotype and broad, sweeping generalizations, I should have checked Weather.com.  That way, instead of arriving in Alabama without even so much as a proper jacket, I would have been prepared for 30 degree weather, while I sat there shivering.  Although, I was kept warm by the dismantling of the Gamecocks.

3.  Leave no doubt.  Next years D-Line will be even better than this year.  Sure, UConn loses Lindsey Witten to the NFL, but Kendall Reyes at 2 sacks (shoulda been 3), and they’ll be moving Greg Lloyd to defensive end, which should have the same effect as when (now Jacksonville Jaguar) Julius Williams was moved from ‘backer to DE.

4.  Did anyone else think it was a little premature of Spurrier to go for it on 4th down that early in the game?  Make it and your Belichick, get stuffed, and you’re Norwood.

5.  I was on the field after the game, and got to have a quick word with a Papa John’s official, who I think had something to do with media relations.  I asked him “do you think it would be cool if I asked Head Ball Coach for his autograph…” (I was insinuating that it might be a bad time, you know after the embarrassing loss and all) he replied, “You kidding? Go for it!  But, I’d hurry up and catch him, knowing him he’ll be on the golf course, grabbing a “quick-nine” before you can say Gamecock!”

6.  You want to talk about southern hospitality?  Go to Birmingham, Alabama.  I got off the plane and random strangers approached me saying “Welcome to Alabama, son”  Friendly? Sure.  But I had to ask, how did they know I wasn’t from around there? Was it my suitcase?  My superb dental work?  The world may never know.

7.  If you ever get a chance to go to Jim and Nicks BBQ, run…don’t walk….to the nearest location.  Order the Pit Master plate, and call me in a few days after your food-coma has subsided.  Holy crap that was good food.

8.  Coach Edsall was pretty emotional about the win in the locker-room.  I know Mike Enright (UConn media relations) was a little wary of me being in there, now that I am off the payroll and all, but I’ll leave what was said to stay in that stadium.  I will say this, talking with the guys and even players parents, I heard one particularly touching story, the quote isn’t verbatim, but it’s close enough:

“You know, Coach makes sure we know it all the time now.  We all know everyday that he loves us.   There is no question about that.  I’ll be walking through the facility, and instead of passing by, he’ll stop, look me in the eye and say “I love you, how’s your day.”  He’s genuinely interested in how I’m doing, and I know he cares not only about me as a player but as a person”

9.  I had a lot of people come up to me, my dad, and my grandfather and express your love for the blog.  I really appreciate it.  Even the guy who was waiting to fly standby, who got bumped by me, told me he loved it.  So dude, thank you.  And, if it is any consolation I ended up not only getting delayed into Boston by 4 hours, but on the ride home I was smushed into a window seat by a drunk Florida fan, who proceeded to use me like a pillow and reeked of beer, stale chinese food and mothballs.  I wish was lying, but even my girlfriend (the saint who picked me up at 3am) asked me if I’d been eating Mushu Pork.

10. Not that I am Nostradamus or anything, but when I did the interview on WTIC (if you have a copy/link email me) I told everyone that giving Todd Orlando that much time to prep for a team was unfair.  Well, I think I was more than right.  UConn’s defense was lights out all game.  Perhaps Tywon Martin put it best after it was all said and done:

“Those dudes (USC) tricked me”
“How So?”
“Dog, I thought they were gonna be unreal…we watched the tape, man.  They freakin’ tricked me”

11.  I am really proud of Husky nation, and to have ever been a part of that program.  Enjoying a game from the stands is a new, but great thrill for me.

My Last Game: Bowl Victory

// January 7th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Uncategorized

My last game. I’m not sure where to start. I had the same problem this time last year, writing a blog wrap up. I surmised that writing after the bowl in Charlotte was tough because we had lost, and ending such a great season on a loss left a bitter taste in my mouth. This time it’s a little different.
It’s the same feeling that every kid gets on the last day of school, with the entire summer sprawled out before him. Excitement about all the summer fun, but you know you won’t be keeping up with all your friends in homeroom, there won’t be teachers hounding you or homework to do. In a strange way all that impending freedom is scary.
Well, my last day of school was a bowl game in Canada. My school years were 5 years as a UConn football player, my teachers were some of the best coaches the country has to offer, and their homework assignments were simple: watch film, practice hard, execute and win.
My summer however, this time, is a lot more scary. I don’t know how to do my taxes (this was the rallying cry for me and a few other seniors after some celebratory beers in downtown Toronto.) It’s the first time I’m no longer a college football player. I am now a responsible (well semi-responsible) member of society. Degree in hand. But before I delve too far into all the this sentimentality, let me break down the game:

Donny Brown. Wow.
Over 250 yards rushing. What a great guy. He is the most dominating running back in the nation. All we do is run. We telegraph the run. We smoke signal the run. Everyone knows “power” is coming…and still…no one can stop Downtown Donny Brown.
It really was a story of two teams, the first half we looked like some sort of slap-stick comedy act. Fumbling and bumbling the football (and cramming into a Volkswagon bug…you know…for the kids). Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers.
The defense held fast. I’d like to say it was our athletic prowess and roster full of future-NFL talent (some of it was), but it was also the air-tight game plan put together by our defensive coaching staff. Led by Hank Hughes and Todd Orlando. Having Todd Orlando as your defensive coordinator is almost not fair. Not to mention he had 4 weeks to comb over every play Buffalo had ever run. I think he even filed a freedom of information petition (the hippies finally got something right!) with Turner Gill’s parents. Those home movies were invaluable. Seriously, he’s like Rainman (just replace that juice box with a can of Kodiak).

There was also some extra motivation going into the game. Every interview and story was about about Buffalo. The 50 year anniversary of what that 1958 team did. While I commend the team of 1958, it was as if the media and everyone else forgot we were going to be on the field on Saturday.

That and we heard a Buffalo player give an interview and tell some Canadian TV station, “Predict the score? Sure. 37-7. Buffalo wins…” (apparently his career as the future Nostradamus has been cut short).

The second half was pure domination, quintessential UConn football (and of course, UConn defense). Capped, of course, by the longest interception return for a touchdown in UConn history: 100 yards later the win was sealed, the Gatorade was flowing, and Coach Edsall needed a new pair of pants (he changed at half-time too, but you know…for different reasons).

So the celebrations were long and hardy. The FWG got go conduct the band (wish granted!), and for a few moments all was right with the world.
I did not want to leave that locker room. Leave such a special group of guys. My “summer” was (is) just beginning.

So whats next for the FWG?….I’ll explain that in…

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS:

I am off to play professional football. Nope not in the NFL. Not the CFL. Not your local arena league. I am hopping the pond, landing in Austria on March 1st.
This opportunity presented itself and I jumped at the chance. I think it will be a good way to say goodbye to the game (and see Europe at the same time).

Want to learn more about this, I suggest you read the book:
Seriously. Get it. Read it. It helped sell me on this whole thing.

So here’s the deal with the whole “BLOG THING”.
This blog took on a life on of its own. I am going to keep it, and comment on UConn Football from my perspective (as a former player).
I will also be writing exclusive content for NESN.COM and http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-blogger.html

So come here for updates on my life, happenings in UConn Football, and some insight on training and competing at the next level. It will be sure to get more interesting when I touch down in Austria.

Back for more soon…
FWG