UConn Loses A Quarterback, ECU Down Two Wide Receivers

While neither school has confirmed the change, UConn quarterback Richard Lagow has announced he’s transferring to Oklahoma State. The news initially came by Lagow on Tuesday with the following tweet by him:

 

Richard Lagow

“I want to thank the University of Connecticut for the opportunity to attend an outstanding university on a spectacular campus with great people. I wanted to make certain I honored my commitment to the university and supporters and competed through the summer and camp. My position on the football team is adequately stocked and I know that I can leave and not feel I have let down the team. I am headed back home and wish the players I have met the absolute best and look forward to seeing some of my new friends again someday. I appreciate all the encouragement and support, especially the Myers family. I believe this is what is best for everyone.”

For the Plano, Texas native, Lagow was only at Connecticut for a short time as he was a 2013 three-star recruit and had just enrolled in the school earlier this month. He makes the jump to Oklahoma State as the school recently lost quarterback Wes Lunt to the University of Illinois.

So who’s left at UConn in the quarterback role? There were five on the roster with scholarships but senior Chandler Whitmer has the starting role while there’s a battle for the second spot between redshirt freshman Casey Cochran and true freshman Tim Boyle.

In 2012, Whitmer had 2,659 yards, nine touchdowns and 16 picks.

The team is coming off a 5-7 season with its greatest win coming in OT against Louisville, 23-20. UConn will be playing in a new conference this season, the American Athletic Conference and will compete against teams including Rutgers, Cincinnati, Houston and Louisville. There’s a new offensive coordinator for the Huskies, T.J. Weist, along with a return stint for Hank Hughes as the team’s defensive coordinator again.

This season doesn’t look too different for the Huskies as their regular season win total sits at 5 1/2 (-145 o/+115 u). One bright spot for the team may be its running back Lyle McCombs, who is +210 for the most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in the conference.

ECU Loses Two Wide Receivers

East Carolina has announced that two of its wide receivers, senior Justin Jones and sophomore Jabril Soloman are ineligible for this season. The school made the announcement on Wednesday from its head football coach, Ruffin McNeil.

Jabril Soloman

He via NBC Sports.com,”While the support system we have in place here has been of great benefit to our student-athletes, we unfortunately reached a point where we are unable to help Justin and Jabril retain their eligibility. The expectations we have for everyone in our program are high, both on and off the field, and I’m disappointed whenever those aren’t met or even exceeded.”

Hmm…sounds like academic problems. They two players are not currently enrolled in the school, reported the Associated Press.

Last season, Jones started in five games and had been tied for the No. 5 team spot with his 25 receptions–a career-high–and No. 4 with his 346 yards; he had been tied for the third spot with his three touchdowns.

Over his ECU football career, he participated in 32 games.

As for Soloman, his exit could be felt more by the team. In his 2012 true freshman season, Soloman had 17 receptions for 410 yards (24.1 yards-per-catch average –No.1 for the team).

Looking ahead to the season, this Conference USA team will play just one more year here before moving over to the American Athletic Conference. Last season the Pirates finished 8-5 (7-1) and for this season they have been selected by a coaches poll to win the East Division.

Their toughest upcoming game may come against North Carolina on September 28. The Tar Heels have their 2013 regular win season total at nine (+130 o, -160 u).