Hello All-

Hope that your New Year’s was a good one and that everyone is happy and healthy.  I guess I owe a little explanation why it’s been so long since my last blog entry.  I guess the obvious reason is that, simply put, we lost. We didn't do everything we needed to do to win.  It’s a hard pill to swallow.  Every loss hurts (even though there were so few this year), but this one especially. It wasn't the right way to send out the seniors. On that flight home from Charlotte (at 5:45 a.m.), I had plenty to think about.  What happened on all those third downs?  Didn't we know they were running that middle screen in two back sets?  I allowed myself to wallow in self pity.  It felt good to feel bad for myself and my teammates. On that first leg of the trip, I was filled with anger and sadness and a little bit of regret.  But with a two hour layover in Baltimore, my mood began to change.  It took that past couple of days to pinpoint it, but I think I have figured it out.

 

Immediately after the game, there were some very intimate moments, a flood of emotions and a few tears were shed.  I know personally I was reminded of my own mortality.  That eventually, my time in college football will be up.  It will end, in all likelihood, without fan fare or celebration.  I'll be a small, insignificant footnote in college football history; as an individual I won't win the Heisman or set records for points in a season.  I won’t be a thousand yard rusher or lead my team in tackles.

 

My point is this, on a Saturday in Charlotte,  N.C., I didn't feel insignificant.  That feeling was indicative of the entire season, the leadership and sacrifice of these seniors made myself and others feel larger than life.  For most of the season we played above and beyond our own limitations.  For those Saturdays throughout the year, we felt like gods. I owe that feeling to my teammates, but more specifically a special group of seniors.  A group of guys that arrived at Storrs four or five years ago, without fanfare or celebration. They weren't ranked high on Rivals.com or any other of a plethora of so called "Expert" websites. Yet this season they became far more than individuals, they transcended the college football landscape.  As a team, and with these seniors, we won the BIG EAST, after going 4-8 the previous year.  While as an individual I was reminded that I was merely mortal, this team, and specifically this group of seniors had made me, my teammates (and maybe all of Connecticut) feel immortal.  These seniors are a shining example of the magic of college football.  That hardwork and perseverance do pay off.  That if you believe enough and sell out to an idea, you can make your own luck.  In the case of this year, it meant a BIG EAST  title, a bowl bid, nine wins, ranked as high as 13th and a Top 25 defense.

 

This is what has occurred over the past days.  I will miss knowing that I have more seasons left, the blissful ignorance of thinking that all "this" will last forever. I will miss knowing that the fate of a program doesn't rest on my shoulders.  I have been sad and closed because I know I will never share the field with Danny Lansanah, Dan Davis, Donnell Ford and Tyvonn Branch.  I'll never battle through another spring ball with Donald Thomas or Lou Allen.  We owe these guys and others so much.  They are part of what I consider the "Old Guard".  The group of guys who had been here during the best of times (the Motor City Bowl) and the worst of times (Struggling through a 4-8 season).  I hope the freshman and younger members of our team will understand that success comes with the highest of prices: self-sacrifice and unwavering dedication.  These are qualities which the seniors have embodied.

 

Am I mad we didn't win? I'd be in the wrong line of work if I wasn't. That certainly has something to do with my attitude the past couple days.  I have absolutely run the gambit on wide spectrum of emotions.  But if these seniors and this season have taught us anything, it is to persevere.  They have lived the mantra of a "Short Memory"..."...last week doesn't matter this week".  I am always amazed by the resolve in our team.  Immediately after the loss, after the initial shock, people were already talking about January 22nd, when our off-season training program will commence.  January 22nd is when we start working on another BIG EAST title.

 

I didn't realize how relative my first blog entry would eventually become.  It was my grandpa who kind of made me eat my own words, which after reading I have taken comfort in.  We are a family. A brotherhood. Each with our own roles to play.  It is now my role and the role of the other seniors and leaders on this team to continue what was started this year.  As I am absolutely sure that Coach Edsall will say on that first day of winter conditioning, "This group hasn't accomplished anything...".  It's true, the new group that will make up a new team, hasn't done anything......yet.  But if we are able to learn from the example that was set for us, we will certainly accomplish something.

 

I’d like to thank my bowl roommate Scott Lutrus for being such a good sport.  As it turns out I became a victim of my own humor. You really should be careful with self-deprecation, because when my girlfriend says "Yah Rob, you really are a hobosexual"...somehow its just a little different.  I’d also like to thank the Hotel staff, who really made a fat kid’s dreams come true by delivering that chocolate milkshake at 1 a.m.. I'd like to thank the Lowe's Motor Speedway and the Richard Petty Driving School (1-800-Be-Petty), I am now considering a career change, I have been in contact with several competitive driving leagues.

 

I have also applied for a job as head sandwich engineer at Capers Too, still waiting to hear back on that one.

 

I’d like to dedicate the following video link to the "kick squad", and most importantly Derek Rich, who does (very well) one of the most thankless jobs on the football field: Long Snapping.  Take it from a guy who knows, no one knows who you are until you screw it up. Great job this year D-Rich.

http://geekswithblogs.net/rwalker/archive/2008/01/01/allstate-kicker-commercial-resembles-our-tech-life.aspx   "They dont know who you are til they need you.."

 

Some of you have no doubt seen the picture on the cover of the Hartford Courant, of myself and Dan Davis after the game.  At first I was mad they captured and published such a personal moment.  I was thanking Dan (in my own way) for being such an emotional leader.  But if anyone asks, I was just admiring his brand of conditioner, "Ohhh Coconut..delish!"

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa254/lunndt65/34484943.jpg

 

Last, but certainly not least, I'd also like to take some time to thank our 12,500+ fans who represented UConn so well.  It was great seeing all of you take over Charlotte in the name of UConn football.  Thank you for your support all year, and I'll see you at the 'Rent in '08.

 

Again, thanks for reading all my rants.

Best,

Rob Lunn

DT #65