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MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina — On Sunday afternoon, perhaps 1,000 people were seated in a space the size of a football field at The Hangout, a restaurant and entertainment venue in the heart of Myrtle Beach’s “Broadway at the Beach” tourist trap. UConn fans were packed.
Shortly after 4pm, the UConn football team bus pulled up and coaches and players made their way to the stage. And the crowd, fueled by the emotion of the season’s success and what’s in the cup, brought the Huskies a little closer to Monday’s Myrtle Beach Bowl kickoff with an energy the program hasn’t experienced in years.
“What a thrill that we are all here and can feel this,” Jim Mora told the crowd over the microphone.
He turned to the players in line behind him.
“Overwhelming, isn’t it, folks?” Mora said. “Let’s give them a round of applause, how about that? It’s just amazing. I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect this. It’s incredible.”
Mora had all six captains address the crowd.
Offensive lineman Christian Haynes, UConn’s first All-American in 12 years, said: let’s get on! “
Defensive lineman Eric Watts said: “It means a lot. We’re not in Connecticut. But that’s what it looks like. Thank you for coming. We’ll put on a show for you all tomorrow.”
UConn fans seemed ready to party late into the night.
UConn footballers left to get back to work after a short rally, putting the finishing touches on preparations for Monday’s game against Marshall and in pursuit of the program’s first winning record since 2010.
Huskies are 6-6. How much will winning or losing affect how you look back on this season?
Quarterback Zion Turner said, “A lot because there’s no time.” “It’s either a winning season or a losing season. This game is the exclamation point of our season. We want it to end. Half-hearted, nothing, just chilling somewhere. No, we’re a finishing team.” So I’m looking forward to it.”
UConn, a 10-point underdog against the Thunder Herd (8-4), held their own pep rally shortly after the Huskies departed. Both teams practiced early Sunday at Brooks Stadium, the match venue in nearby Conway.
A few hours later, in Myrtle Beach, music blared, cheerleaders cheered, dance teams danced, and fans lined up to form an aisle for the teams to enter.
UConn sold about 2,500 tickets to the bowl, but it was unclear how many would show up and how many of those tickets would be redirected to students and charities. It seems that a considerable amount has appeared. Fans of all ages gathered, screaming and clapping.
Athletic director David Benedict danced a little. He tried to lead “UConn!” his twice. … a husky! Chants and failed parts of it. no matter. The crowd and team devoured all of this rambunctious scene, symbolizing the celebration and opportunity of the moment.
UConn haven’t played in a bowl since losing to Marshall in the 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl.
“I think our players are in a good place emotionally,” Mora said at Conway’s practice a few hours ago. It’s just going to be either 7-6 or 6-7 I think it could be 6-6-1 but I think it’s a roundabout way these young men put a lot of effort into “It means a lot to finish with a winning record. I feel that energy from them. I see it in the way they prepare. The important thing here is the outside It’s about going out and trying to play error-free, playing aggressively, looking out for football, stealing football, finding ways to get one more point than your opponent.”
UConn started 1-4, but changed the trajectory of their season with a home victory over Fresno State, the team they lost 45-0 in last season’s opener. The Huskies won 5-6 before losing the regular season finale in Army.
UConn didn’t visit Brooks Stadium until Sunday. This is the home of his Carolina Coastal, which used the facility to prepare for his own bowl, the Ticket Smarter Birmingham Bowl vs. East Carolina, which was held on December 27 in Birmingham, Alabama. It’s for
The Huskies practiced at Myrtle Beach High School on Friday, followed by a bowling excursion and another team excursion on Saturday (at the Pep Rally location on Sunday).
Finally, one month after the announcement, on Monday UConn will play its final football game of this energetic season.
Linebacker Jackson Mitchell said, “Especially back in Connecticut, we knew there were some distractions, so we tried to focus on what was there and make it perfect.” I’ve been really focused and I want this to be obviously bad.”
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