Whining. Complaining. Yelling. Booing. Let's just call it what it was, flat out bitching.
For a second Thursday night, I thought I was sitting through my fiance's period week all wrapped up into three hours instead of opening night at Rentschler Field. With the result, some may actually say that that would have been a more pleasant experience.
Look, there's no doubt that UCONN's loss was not only embarassing, but detrimental to the school's conference realignment hopes that seem to hinge upon this football season. Those that are currently reading in their parent's basement can argue about that on 'The Boneyard' for the next two years.
But was the fans reaction justified? Perhaps...
How about this thought; HAD true freshman Brian Lemelle NOT dropped the punt after the Huskies defense awoke from what seemed like a game-long coma and HAD the Chandler Whitmer led UCONN offense marched down the field as they had one drive earlier and HAD the Huskies stuffed home another 2-point conversion to tie it and force overtime, then OF COURSE the energy and enthusiasm of the UCONN crowd would put them over the top for the W..
Oh wait, no one was left.
It's no secret that UCONN football fans start heading for the exits faster than the French during a military conflict, but even this crowd left me wondering, ‘when did UCONN fans become so entitled?’
Watching the 60” behemoth of a flat-screen (thank you honey) that sits in my living room with wide eyes and a huge smile, as I welcomed college football back with open arms this past weekend; it was hard not to see what separates UCONN from the rest of the country that is so rabid and passionate about the sport.
It's not the talent on the field, to borrow a line from Coach P: 'I promise you that.'
No, what makes an atmosphere as electric as the one seen at Death Valley when Georgia marched in to Clemson on Saturday Night is not the head coach. It's not the mascot. It's not the school colors. Heck, it's not even the players.
Newsflash Connecticut, it's the fans.
Countless coaches, players, athletic directors and school presidents will walk in and out of Storrs over the next several decades; fans are currently hoping a few of those will change sooner rather than later.
But the one constant, is YOU, the fans.
So the question is asked, when things are going tough at home, do you walk out on each other or do you work on things to make the most out of every situation? For the majority and for the sake of the future of our society, hopefully the answer is no.
So why, pray tell, with 3 minutes left and UCONN fresh off a three and out, down just one score, were all of you home, on your way home or in the parking lot?
Where were you; the ones that the players on the field are supposed to be able to rely on for the extra edge and support when things aren't going up to par?
UCONN fans need to seriously look themselves in the mirror and realize that walking out, no matter the reason, has an effect on how the team performs on the gridiron.
RGIII came into The Rent not too long ago and left with this impression: 'When we played at UCONN my freshman year, that was the loudest place I've ever been as a football player. The stands are right next to the field, it was packed, and everyone was yelling. That was probably the coolest place for me to play...'
When Randy Edsall and Maryland come in to Rentschler Field next Saturday night, make of it what you want. Be LOUD, wear blue and root for UCONN, or sit on your asses, leave early and don't care about the actual outcome of the game. The choice is yours.
