PHOENIX- He didn’t jump the route. The ball seemed to flutter right into his unsuspecting arms.
A moment later, UConn cornerback Dwayne Gratz had the football tucked away in his right arm and 46 yards of green grass in front of him. Gratz sprinted towards the blue end zone with the BCS logo and “UConn” painted in white script. When he crossed the goal line, the outnumbered Husky fans were already celebrating.
No Gratz’s interception for a touchdown didn’t give UConn the lead in the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. It cut the deficit to eight early in the second quarter. But judging from Gratz’s emotional reaction, it may as well of clinched a national championship for the Huskies. Gratz dropped the ball after two steps in the end zone, and ran across the field waving his arms as if he couldn’t believe what had just transpired. Gratz’s teammates caught up with him and lifted him up, as he put his hands over his face mask in disbelief. Freeze frames of the celebration make it appear as though Gratz is even tearing up.
Gratz’s pick six was one of Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones’ rare misses of the night, as the Sooners outclassed the Huskies and rolled to a 48-20 victory in Glendale, AZ. UConn put up a good fight and proved they belonged in a BCS bowl game. On the same token, Oklahoma humbled the Huskies in a manner that made the doubters look good. But in UConn’s defense, not many teams in the country could have hung with the Sooners on New Year’s Day.
The Fiesta Bowl experience wasn’t about the loss, both financially and on the field. It was about being there.
It was about the first BCS berth in school history. It was seeing our team line up against Oklahoma. It was about the Sooner fanfare, and what a traditional football school is like. It was about a basketball school playing in a major bowl game. Sure Sooner fans would snicker sarcasm and miseducated remarks about UConn’s lack of football tradition, but it was a pleasure enlightening them on the Huskies’ success. One Sooner fan in the stands asked me about our team, not knowing much besides that we were known to run the ball.
It was about Zach Frazer. The much maligned quarterback played well in his final game, competing 19 of 39 passes for 223 yards and two interceptions that weren’t his fault. It was about Robbie Frey’s kickoff return and David Teggart’s consistency.
It was about Kashif Moore paying tribute to Jasper Howard. Moore, who held Howard in his arms during the last moments of his life, wore No. 6. It was a move that, according to one of Moore’s family members surprised everyone. There could not of been a better tribute. Howard was back on the field with his brothers.
There were constant reminders, however, of the grim future. During UConn’s last possession, there was hope running back Jordan Todman would find the end zone. In December, Todman got feedback on his NFL Draft stock, and whispers throughout the stands indicated it might be the junior’s final collegiate game.
Todman didn’t score a touchdown. He was stopped a yard short on fourth down with under 20 seconds remaining. In the post game press conference, after a 121-yard effort against a Big 12 defense, he made it official and announced his intentions to forgo his senior season and enter the draft. He leaves big shoes to fill and a heavy load to carry in the backfield.
A sign in section 141 read, “Dear Randy, Please Stay. Love, UConn.”
He didn’t. In a surprising move, Randy Edsall left for Maryland a day after the game. It wasn’t surprising that Edsall left, as his name has been mentioned for candidacy at marquee programs the last few seasons. But Maryland? The lateral move to another basketball school is a head scratcher. Although Edsall did everything he could at Storrs, winning a Big East championship, the Terrapins won’t go to any game better than the Orange Bowl. It sounds like Edsall wanted out because of administration shortcomings, and the man didn’t owe Connecticut anything after all he’s done.
But he did owe his team a heads-up. He didn’t fly back with the team and many didn’t find out of his departure until they landed. In a page out of the LeBron James playbook, he didn’t tell his team face-to-face he was leaving. Todman did.
But the coaching carousel is about taking opportunities when they come. Sometimes it’s better to be Brian Kelly than Greg Schiano.
Fans shouldn’t be upset with Edsall because the man stayed in the Nutmeg State for over a decade and defined the program. He didn’t desert UConn, staying until after the bowl and what would have been the end of Howard’s career. As for hurting the players’ feelings, that’s a different story.
Perhaps, the most foreshadowing utterance came from an Oklahoma fan at the pre-game fan-fest. As the UConn band, cheerleaders and dance team members rolled through and Husky faithful gathered, he said to the crimson and cream clad person he was with, “Let’s get out of their way. It’s their moment.”
With everything that transpired following the game, this Fiesta Bowl was our moment. The football program’s horizon is grey. In the blink of an eye Todman was gone. Overnight, Edsall went with him.
It was not a win on the gridiron in Arizona, but a feeling that should never be forgotten. The Fiesta Bowl was an experience that should have been cherished and not taken for granted, because nothing, not even tomorrow, is guaranteed.
And the defining moment was UConn’s first ever BCS touchdown. It was the type of event where you had to pinch yourself after it happened.
Judging by Gratz’s reaction, I think the team felt the same way.