Finally, a well-played game for me to scout. The first penalty flang wasn't thrown until 14 seconds into the second half. There were only four penalties the entire game, and only three turnovers the entire game. UConn had a 15 point lead, but sloppy tackling in the second half let the Panthers steal it away.
College: Connecticut Conference: Big East Columnist: Erik Sandelin
Andre Dixon 2 6' 1.0" 210 4.64 HB 2010 - ran hard and impressively all day. Looks a little lanky and won't run away from anybody, but is a patient runner who sets up and reads his blocks well. Never stops moving his legs, but runs a bit upright. Gives decent effort blocking. Never used in the passing game. Grade - slightly positive
Mike Hicks 79 6' 6.0" 325 5.36 OT 2010 - faced Jabaal Sheard all day and generally held up well. Gets into his pass protection stance quickly and shows good balance. Never lost his feet. Is massive and uses his size well. Heavy-footed and won't fit well in certain schemes. Grade - slightly positive
Robert Vaughn 33 6' 0.0" 202 4.68 S 2010 - might be better as a strong safety than a free safety at the next level, but plays FS for the Huskies. Alert, instinctive, and active. Not afraid to come up and support the run. Shouldn't be asked to man up. Best in a zone. Made two picks, but one was a gift. Like most of the UConn "D," he missed his share of tackles. Grade - slightly positive
Desi Cullen 13 6' 2.0" 200 5.00 P 2010 - shanked one punt, but otherwise was very impressive. Great leg strength. Kicks off as well as punts. Has a bit of accuracy, too. Even tried to tackle a returner or two. Grade - positive
Scott Lutrus 32 6' 2.0" 235 4.75 LB 2011 - didn't play long on this day, suffering a stinger injury early. Up until that point, however, he was active, showing good range and tackling form. Made three solo tackles before the injury took place. Grade - incomplete
Lindsey Witten 9 6' 4.0" 248 4.73 DE 2010 - very quiet. Three solos and a hurry. Held in check by Jason Pinkston pretty much all day. Reminded me of Selvie from USF last week. Relies on his speed, and if his man can catch him before he breaks free, he has neither the strength or the technique to beat him.
Greg Lloyd Jr. 95 6' 2.0" 245 4.70 LB 2011- led the Huskies with 12 solos and three assists, but all of his damage was done downfield. Nowhere near the hitter his father was. Should stay in school. Grade - neutral
College: Pittsburgh Conference: Big East Columnist: Erik Sandelin
Oderick Turner 88 6' 3.0" 205 4.60 WR 2011 - paled in comparison to his teammate, Jonathan Baldwin. Caught only three balls for 31yds. Didn't look bad, but did little to distinguish himself. Grade - neutral
Nate Byham 80 6' 3.0" 255 4.76 TE 2011 - a preseason Mackey Award nominee, Byham has had a quiet season thus far, being replaced for the most part by Dorin Dickerson. Had a stupid penalty in the second half, negating a 62yd run. Caught three balls for 34yds. Walled off and held his man at bay when blocking, but certainly didn't drive anybody off the ball. Good hands. Deceptive speed for his size. Grade - neutral
Aaron Berry 17 5' 11.0" 175 4.48 CB 2010 - clearly the Panthers best DB, but went down with a shoulder injury part way into the game. Willing to tackle, but gets bowled over easily. Made three solos and two assists and a PBY even in just his partial action. Has the size, speed, and instincts to be a player at the next level. Grade - slightly positive
Mick Williams 95 6' 1.0" 285 4.93 DT 2010 - aka Ernest. Another unimpressive DL. Am I just setting my sights to high? None of the big name D-linemen really impressed me in this game. A solo, two assists, and half a TFL just don't cut it in my book. Showed little speed, quickness, or power. At 285lbs, he's gonna need at least one of those things to survive at the next level. Grade - negative
Dorin Dickerson 2 6' 2.0" 230 4.67 FB 2011 - lined up at FB, TE, and H-back. Very versatile and pretty athletic. Didn't make a tremendous impact, catching only one ball for 27yds, but that catch did go for a TD. Was used as a decoy for much of the game. Could be a Mike Alstott-type at the next level for a team that uses him the right way. Grade - slightly positive
Joe Thomas 56 6' 5.0" 300 5.00 OT 2011 - lined up at left guard and generally showed well. Athletic, but not very powerful. Will need to be in the right system at the next level. Grade - neutral
Robb Houser 64 6' 2.0" 285 5.00 C 2010 - did little to stand out. Undersized. Looks like a UDFA to me. Grade - negative
Shane Murray 15 6' 1.0" 220 4.75 LB 2010 - never saw his number. Grade - negative
Bill Stull 11 6' 3.0" 215 4.85 QB 2010 - started hot, cooled off noticeably, then got hot again. At his best, showed good (but not great) arm strength, accuracy, and touch. At his worst, showed poor decision-making, read the defense poorly, and was not on the same page as his receivers. Grade - slightly positive
Greg Romeus 91 6' 5.0" 265 4.75 DE 2012 - a tackle, a TFL, a sack, a hurry, a FF, and a FR. Made a big play or two, but was too quiet for too long to impress me. Grade - slightly negative
Jonathan Baldwin 82 6' 5.0" 220 4.60 WR 2012 - the offensive star for the Panthers. Tremdous size. Good hands. Ran decent routes. Not a burner, but gets open and fights for the ball. Can play on Sundays, but won't be a #1. Grade - positive
Jason Pinkston 77 6' 4.0" 300 5.00 OT 2011 - shut down Lindsey Witten all day. Handles speed OK, but how will he do against strength and technique? Potential is intriguing. Grade - positive
Jabaal Sheard 97 6' 4.0" 250 4.75 DE 2011 - another quiet highly-touted D-lineman. Three solos and a hurry. Potential is there, but I'd say more time in school is in his best interest. Grade - slightly negative
notes - UConn CB Robert McClain was very impressive. I need to add him to the database. Only 5' 9", but tallied 6 solos and 3 assists, plus a hurry and a pair of breakups. Also chipped in on special teams. Pitt DT Myles Caragein was the most impressive DL of the game, consistently getting penetration (2 TFLs, a sack, and a hurry).